Author's notes : As always, thank you Goldspark for your constancy in reviewing the story. Indeed, I wanted to avoid the often made level 700 undead that master absolutely everything. Lora is pretty much a pure warrior who know how to use magic weapons, and even in her stats of predilection that are strength and dexterity her mastery of different weapons are not equals.
I also have to thank you, Anonymous, for pointing out the flaws of language and your words of encouragement. I'm doing this story partly to better my english, and I am glad to see that it is at least not an incomprehensible mess. I am also glad that you enjoy it, and will try to improve on everything you reported.
Good reading to you all!
The Fiery Queen of Nohr : Part 5
Lora woke up, and immediately felt something wrong. Where was the heat of the fire ? She never resurrected far away from it... It suddenly sent a chill in her spine and she opened her eyes while rising, sitting on the bed she was apparently on. She wasn't in Lothric anymore. Had she died, it would have been for good. What happened to her? She quickly scanned the environment. A modest buyt clean room with a window by which sunlight was flowing into. Her armor was carefully disposed at the side of the mattress, reassuring her. She wasn't in hostile hands. But how had she come here? She remembered the sage, the inn... She was attacked. Four enemies. She had been hurt, she thought while seeing the heavy bandages that covered her shoulder and left arm. And poisoned. There was no other explanation to the strange exhaustion that almost got her killed. She only survived thank to two thing. First, the blooming purple moss that she ate, a powerful antidote. And the golden ring that was still at her finger. Found in the queen bedchamber of Anor Londo, a relic of the princess of sunlight that slowly healed every wound. It was without a doubt the reason she did not died while unconscious due to blood loss. Footsteps. A massive matron wearing blood stained clothes came from the door, a bowl of water in hand. The town's physician, most probably.
''Thank gods you're awake, milady! How do you feel?''
''My life is not in danger anymore. How much time did I slept?''
''The whole night and morning. Please, let me see your wounds.''
She was palpated by the strong woman as she drank, then had her bandages taken off, revealing the scarred flesh under. It was mostly healed but the skin still bore traces of what happened. Considering that a sword cut it to the bone, it was a great demonstration of the sunlight ring's power.
''Incredible... Since we do not possess staff of healing there I feared the worst seeing your injuries, but it is almost fine already.''
''I nonetheless thank you for treating my wounds.''
And for not retiring my ring, Lora added mentally.
''What about my guards?''
The healer stared at her with a strange expression before prudently answering.
''We found them dead in your room.''
The gears connected. The wine. She have been betrayed by her soldiers. She knew them. Those one had fought by her side multiple time, she have led them to victory. How did they dare betray her? Her anger was boiling inside, ready to explode like a voracious flame. A loud creak made her conscious of the environment again, and she gazed wordlessly at the destroyed bowl of wood in her hand.
''I will repay you.'' She assured the woman who had step back before her angry face. ''For healing and the bowl both.''
It took half a day more for Lora to completely recover. The kind healer gratefully took the gold of Lora, enough to live comfortably for years. She had no more use of it, since It was meant to pay for the eventual expenses of an extended stay, which would have served as preparation for the ascension. All of it useless now, and she took the road to the port. Faster, way faster than before since she was alone and didn't have to worry about distancing her traitors of guards. Despite this, she was appreciative of the scenery. To see a land of grass, flower and color before returning back to Norh. Such view definitively existed in the kingdom, but rarer than a virtuous thief. Before the sun set she was already at port, arguing with a very surprised captain.
''I ain't to discuss orders ma'am, but you' not supposed to have sidekicks?''
''This does not concern you. You are paid to drive, not to ask question, so let us go before my patience thin even more.''
''You' right. Guys, move your lazy asses! We 're going now!''
The ship crew actively started to work when their chief yelled, making Lora smirk. It was a known wisdom among crewmen: always make it look like you are working when your superior is in sight, but only start to work for real when he is giving orders. She was not the one that said it thought, but rather a very bored apprentice sailor whose only duty on board have been to keep an eye on her during the journey. She would have to endure it again. Waves, seasickness. But anything was better than staying here. After all, she had something to do at home. She had to find the one. The one that made her soldiers betray. Nohrian law was blunt on the subject of traitors. There was only one sentence. Death.
The wings of the worn out wyvern fought against the wind, surpassing the strength of the raging storm above Windmire. The scaly beast groaned under the strain but obeyed the vigorous commands of its rider, who guided it toward the gates of the bridge leading to Krakenburg. The landing was brutal and the beast roared in pain as the rider jumped of its back, only to being surrounded by guards.
''Halt! State your buisn- General!'' Exclaimed the guard-captain, every soldier immediately sheathing their weapon as Lora was recognized.
''Send the wyvern to the stables, I have to see the king.'' She ordered before heading to the gates.
''Wait general, the king is...''
But the words were lost in as she passed the gates, walking as such a fast pace that it was almost a run. Inside the pit of Krakenburg the wind was absent, the silence only broken by the occasional thunderclap. It was only in a moment that she reached the giant gates, where the guards stopped her by crossing their spears before her. She almost dived under but stopped herself and stared at them, ready to react at the slightest sign of hostility.
''General, we were told to lead you to the council immediately after your return.'' Said the left, raising the spear back.
''The council can wait. I have to see the king.'' She replied sharply.
''The king does not see anyone. Not even you, general.''
Something in the tone of the man douched her restlessness. Such way of speaking could be considered insolence and severely punished. Yet he did it without any hesitation. Granted, she was a lot more reasonable than most on this when it was justified, but still.
''What happened while I was gone at Notre Sagesse?''
''The council will explain.'' Answered the soldier, uneasy.
Was it that bad that he didn't wanted to be the one telling it? She finally followed them inside the castle. As they progressed at a slower pace than what she would have taken alone, she gradually realized something that she would have missed otherwise. The atmosphere in the castle was heavy. It was written all over the place, from the look of servants and guards and from the nervousness they exhibited at her approach. When they finally reached the council room, it was as if the soldiers were relieved to let her go.
''Royal arm master, general and advisor of the king, sir Lora.''
While the herald announced her presence, she immediately noted something unnatural. The king's throne was empty. And the first advisor's chair too. It was unnatural. Never before the council have been reunited without at least one of them. All the others were present: half a dozen great lord and lady of Nohr, and the court mage. Judging by the looks they were exchanging her arrival interrupted a rather stormy debate, but she didn't care.
''Councilors, why are you reunited in the first advisor absence?''
''Lady Lora, some questions should...'' Started the court mage Iago before being cut.
''Do not test my patience, mage, I have no time for your petty schemes.''
''How dare you...'' He growled before closing his mouth before her stare.
She didn't like him at all and it was mutual. The sorcerer was a cowardly snake that got his place through plots rather than power, and was a lot less clever than he thought. On the other hand, he had some mastery of dark magic and had a good network of spy, securing his place in the council. But he was nowhere near the level of influence needed to talk back to her.
''As much I as like you putting this man in his place, there is much to discuss.'' Said the duchess Agnes, one of the king's tactician and richest lord of Nohr. ''We will be pleased to inform you, but would you act like a civilized fellow first?''
''… Very well.'' She answered, seating at the left of the empty throne.
Lora crossed her arm on the table, looking at the voluptuous lady in front of her. She sometimes wondered how she was carrying those without pain in the back. The thought left almost immediately as she waited for her to talk.
''Thank you. First of all, we need some information of your part. Did your pilgrimage to the Rainbow Sage bore fruit?''
''Yes.''
She could hear the murmurs. Everyone knew the tales, and how the king himself did undergo the trials to gain more power. That she actually succeeded was putting her on par with a legend.
''But there was four of the king's guard alongside you, and you come back alone. In fact, we didn't know at all that you accosted the continent.''
''I requisitioned a wyvern at port Dia and flew without pause. About the guards, they tried to poison and assassinate me on the island.''
The answer stiffened the councilors, and more murmurs were exchanged. Lora frowned. They seemed to be a lot less surprised than she imagined.
''Enough beating around the bush. Lady Lora could help us all in this predicament we have here.'' Suddenly said the earl Kayn.
This declaration earned a global nod of approval with the exception of Iago who scowled. If there was a good point to the old lord, it was his habit to be frank. Having served as general for decades certainly had something to do in it, earning him his place in the council despite his lack of power.
''Predicament?''
''Yes. Some time after your departure, the conflict between our king's wives reached a point where they were ready to do anything to eliminate their rivals, discretion be damned. Our king decreed that they were to be confined in their private quarters, but it was not enough. One night, multiple guards brutally murdered the women and children they were tasked to protect, under the influence of a powerful curse. Iago tracked it back to lady Evelyn and she was executed. However, lady Arete have been struck with a fatal blow.''
The old lord took a moment to gauge Lora. The arm master was struggling to keep a straight face, her eyes flickering. Some councilor were already bracing themselves for the possible explosion of the one that they knew could literally burn with fury.
''She resisted during two day and night with the support of our best healers including lady Anïa, who is among the few survivors, before passing away. Since then, the king have been grieving inside the crypt, forbidding anyone to disturb him under penalty of death.''
''… How long?...'' Asked Lora with a strained voice.
''Five days.''
''You left the king in the crypt for five days?!'' She yelled while rising, making most of the councilors recoil.
''The first advisor tried to object and was executed.'' Quickly added the duke Richard at her far right. ''Are you really going to disobey the king's...''
Lora didn't listened the rest and stormed outside the council room.
''This is a risky gamble that you have done. How would you offset the loss of both our king and our best general?'' Asked the youngest around the table, the marquis Alex.
''There is no other choice. Lady Lora is the only one that can still reason the king.''
''Oh, please, we all know how it will end, a waste of time.'' Snarled Iago. ''She is nothing but a brute that can easily be replaced, and the prince Xander need proper guidance before assuming the throne.''
''Thought I disagree with the vulgar wording of our court mage, he does have a point. We need the prince ready for his role in case of her probable failure.''
''Your words are dangerously close to treason.'' Warned lord Kayn, making the duchess Rose stiff.
''I can't be helped. This terrible affair have brought us all into a perilous situation, and we must avoid anarchy at all cost.'' Pointed lord Richard.
It was the only point that they all agreed on. Despite the image of a united kingdom around the power and glory of their royalty, Nohr would easily fall into civil war if the king or queen could not assert his or her power. There was simply too little resources, and too much need in each lord to content themselves with what they had. Each of them all would trample his neighbor, be it out of greed or to giving their people the food they lacked, and only the sovereign's hand of steel prevented it.
''Dear fellows, let us focus on matters that we can resolve until this is clarified.'' Offered lady Agnes. ''Do you all agree? Good, now let us finish our discussion about the decrease of productivity from the silver mines...''
Running through the corridors, almost jumping the stairs, Lora felt mind and heart tormented by anxiety. How could all of this happen. How could her absence bring forth such disaster. Her lord, her king struck again by tragedy. She should have stayed. She should have stayed by the queen's side. She could have took the hit. Killed her assassin. Anything, she could have done anything... The entrance was guarded. A dozen of royal guards. Five lancers, three swordsmen, three archers and one strategist. She knew each of them. And they stood here, blocking her path.
''Captain Eric, I order you to let me proceed!''
''I can't. The king's instruction...''
''I don't care about your instructions. Let. Me. Pass!''
''The king's command is absolute, even for you.''
''And if I force my way through?''
''I hope you won't. Should we fail, our families will suffer the consequences.''
''The king cannot possibly have said that!'' Lora vehemently denied.
The captain of the royal guard shook his head, tightening the grip on his ornate spear.
''You haven't seen the king the night where lady Arete died. He executed lady Evelynn himself, barely granted mercy to lady Anïa for her failure in curing the queen, and only because of her pregnancy. I have no doubt that he would carry out this threat.''
The words of Eric resonated in her ears, barely registering. That was wrong. All of this was wrong. She knew that Garon was passionate. That he could do the best like the worst under their drive. But this, this was... She steeled herself. She had to stay firm.
''If there is anyone capable of bending our majesty's will, you know it's me. Let me bring him back to reason.''
''I want to believe you general, but...''
''Do you trust me, captain?''
''With my life.'' He immediately answered, before sighing heavily. ''May the gods watch us.''
With a gesture of their superior they all stepped aside. Their stares were heavy, of expectation and worry both, and she felt them until the large doors closed behind her. Her descent of the crypt stairs was slower than her first hurrying, but still carried the feeling of emergency as she truly did not know what to expect. Her heart was pounding. It was... Dread? She has never felt as such before. Not even when her life was on stake on the battlefield. She descended into the dark, torches still lighting the path. Where... She stopped. At some distance was Garon, kneeling. Right before the tomb of Katerina. He was muttering something, she could hear it. He was alive.
''Milord?''
There was no anwser. Lora approached, uncertain, and stopped. What the king said...
''Traitors... murderers... All of them... Betrayal... How could they... Traitors...''
A repeated litany of anger. Of madness. Just like... No, he was human. He was not a Hollow affected with insanity. He was her king. He could not fall to madness.
''My king, can you hear me?''
The king's head brutally turned toward her, like a broken puppet. An unhealthy purple was shining in his eyes and Garon rose, a massive axe in hand. Lora took a step back, the insane expression of her sovereign shaking her.
''Betrayal... You disobeyed... Traitor!'' Roared the king.
Lora jumped back and the axe smashed the ground, shattering the stone. It was swiftly followed by an upward slash that she dodged too just before Garon stoke the floor with the haft, creating a trail of flame that almost burnt her legs.
''My lord, get a hold of yourself!''
Her plea hadn't any effect as the king continued his frenetic assault, the violence of his strike breaking the stone it encountered. Like a berserk he was trying to kill her without pause, eyes full of madness and this sickly purple glow. She couldn't dodge forever. She had to fight back. But if she did... Royal chamber or royal crypt, with her lord trying to kill her. Why did it happened again? The blade did a vicious feint and she didn't reacted fast enough. The silver blade slashed her cheek and draw blood, the light pain and shock melting together. A violent burst of flame came from her left hand and pushed the king aside before she took fighting stance, a greatsword appearing in her grip, weapon alike stone with blue vein of light traveling the blade.
''Please my lord, cease this madness! We have no reason to fight!'' She yelled as their weapon rammed into each other.
''You betrayed... Like all other you betrayed! No one... No one was to enter here!''
''You were going to die in your folly, and I will never let that happen!''
''You... disobeyed me! You are like... all the rest!''
Blows were exchanged with inhuman strength, Lora overpowering the king in each one, but she was incapable of pressing her advantage while her opponent did nit have any qualm of the sort. Time and time again she parried, only to step back. After a brutal impact the King stopped his attack. In a loud crack the ground distorted and a flow of purple mist enveloped Garon. The Dragon Vein was empowering him! In a split second she hold her blade high and thrust it. A shining stream of pure white energy emerged from the greatsword and stroke Garon, interrupting his manipulation of the Dragon Vein and dispersing the mist.
''I will kill... kill you before... you kill me!'' Shouted the king as he stood again.
''Stop sir, I beg of you! I don't want to hurt you! I don't want to kill you too!'' She screamed in turn, pushing him back.
''Lie... Lie, lie, lie! You have let her die... Let her... Die too!''
He stroke the ground once again, pulverizing it as a new trail of flames ran toward Lora. She called upon her sword's power again and coated it with a blue fire that dispersed the one of the king, before parrying the next volley of blows.
''I would have died for Arete and Katerina, I would have done anything to save them!''
''Lie!...You just... want my power! My lineage! My blood!''
''I don't care for power! I don't care for any of that! I just want to serve my liege, to serve you with my life!''
The princes's greatsword was now shining like a star, white gleam that seemed to live on it's own. Lora lowered her stance and swiped upward with all her strength, breaking the king's axe. Then she slashed it down and the blade's holy light stroke the king like a burning hammer. With an inhuman roar Garon fell on his knee, hands covering his head.
''Katerina... Arete... Evelyn... Clarisse... Misty... All dead...'' Groaning the king in pain. ''Why... live anymore... I am... All alone... ''''
A sudden punch sent him on the ground before Lora was on top of him, sword pointed at his throat as she grabbed his shoulder, yelling in a broken voice.
''Listen to me! You are not alone! I am with you! I won't let you die, I won't leave your side, I won't even if I have to die for it! Please, Garon... Please... I don't want to see my love die again...''
She was panting, on verge of collapsing, her body shaking uncontrollably. Something was in her eyes, something that blurred her vision and she shook her head to clear it without success. Lora felt a contact. A metal cladded hand, softly wiping her cheek of the blood. Opening her aching eyes, she saw the king's face. Saw exhaustion where insanity have been, the purple mist vanished from his gaze and body.
''How cruel of you to say my name only now.'' Said Garon with a weak chuckle.
''You imbecile! Impetuous fool! I thought I would have... I would have to!...''
The sword fell from her grip, clinking on the ruined ground. Strong arms enfolded her, and she didn't resist. For the first time in years, Lora surrendered to the warm embrace of another human.