Chapter 32
Rite and Just
"Hello?"
Arian found himself in that familiar misty landscape once again. The fog was as thick as it was last time, and he could barely see in front of him.
"Is anyone there?" he called. His voice echoed throughout the foggy surroundings, but no one answered him.
At least…not immediately.
A figure suddenly appeared in the mist. A small, bipedal figure, just like before. Arian couldn't help but notice that they seemed to be closer than last time.
He could make out more of their features. A canine appearance, along with tassels on the side of their head. Arian couldn't truly confirm it, but…it looked a lot like a Riolu.
"You…"
Their voice was also more distinctive than last time. There was still a degree of fuzziness to it, but compared to their near inaudibility last time, this was a welcome change.
"Why…re you…n my…dy?"
Alas, not all the words could be made out.
"What are you saying?" Arian said. "I can't hear you!"
"G…t out o…my…dy!"
Get out of…? Arian cocked his head. What are they on about?
His senses were slightly dulled, but he could swear the other Riolu's voice, as muffled as it was, sounded rather resentful.
His ears pinned back at this realisation. Why are they so angry? I haven't done anything wrong to them, have I?
Then the other shape moved towards him with their fists raised.
What?! Arian was taken aback, and quickly raised his fists in a defensive stance.
"That's quite enough of that."
A commanding voice pierced through the fog. And just as soon as it spoke…the scene fell away.
"Ah!"
Arian's eyes bolted opened, and he shot up from his pillow.
That dream…it had happened again. Endless fog, another Riolu like him, and now a voice that halted the dream in its tracks? Just what could it all mean?
No sooner had he started wondering this than he was suddenly accosted by a sharp headache.
"Ow, ow, ow…!" he whimpered, reaching a hand up to feel the back of his head. The pain felt the greatest in that spot, and he could feel bandages back there. He wasn't sure if it was bleeding or not - he would need a mirror for that.
The rest of his body wasn't spared from a similar pain either. The smell of mushed sitrus berries and strong herbal medicine permeated the air around him, where a number of bandages lined his wounds.
Geez, I really was in bad shape, Arian thought. I would've kicked it if Cathbad didn't show up. But…where am I?
A quick glance around his surroundings showed that he was in a stone building with dry orange walls. Sniffing the air, he smelled the distinct scent of herbs and healing berries, which indicated he was in an infirmary of some sort. Evening's light was coming through the window, with the sun beginning to set and coat the land in its familiar orange glow.
"Oh, you're awake!"
Arian looked over to where the lone door to the room had opened. A familiar Treecko ran over to his bedside, while a Clefable wearing an armband with the word Altra on it followed closely behind.
"Elvira!" Seeing that his partner was alive and well brought relief to the Riolu. "Are you okay?"
"I should be asking you that!" Elvira said. "You took the brunt of the blows back in the caves. I really thought we weren't getting out of there alive…" Her lip trembled as she threw her arms around her partner. Arian returned the hug, although within a few seconds he found Elvira's embrace more than a bit stifling.
"Ow! Too tight!" he cried, feeling the sting of his wounds. "Elvira!"
"Oh, sorry," Elvira apologised, releasing her grip on him. She then turned to the Clefable that had entered. Arian noticed the name badge on their chest: it read Bróna. "How is he, Nurse?"
"He's recovered surprisingly well, given the injuries he had," noted Bróna. "I'd say he'll be fit to be discharged in two days' time, give or take."
"Thank goodness." Elvira sighed in relief.
"Hey…Elvira?" Arian asked. "Where are we? Are we still in Dálriada?"
"No." Elvira shook her head. "We're back in Breifne, in the Guild."
"What?" Arian blinked, unsure if he'd heard correctly. "Wow, I must've been out for a while."
"You were heavily wounded and showed signs of exhaustion," Bróna informed. "You being unconscious for a while wasn't surprising at all. Seems like those rebels busted you up good."
"Y-Yeah…they did." Arian winced at the memory. "They got Yuliya real bad, too."
He then realised.
"Yuliya!" Panic gripped him at the mention of the Furret, his mind replaying the image of her crushed by the stalactite over and over. "Wh-Where is she?! Is she okay?"
"Yuliya?" Elvira's shoulders slumped, and her aura radiated despondence. "She…"
"She's hanging on," the nurse said. "Just about. She's in our care now. She took a grievous blow, but she'll live."
"Oh, thank God." Arian breathed a sigh of relief.
"Never thought Sels could be as hardy as you two. But enough about her," the nurse muttered, shrugging her shoulders dismissively. "Onto you. I'd like to ask you some things."
"Yes?" Arian snapped to attention, trying not to focus too hard on the nurse's 'Sel' remark towards him and Yuliya.
"You hit your head pretty badly," the Clefable said. "Do you remember anything about what happened before you fell unconscious?"
"Before I…?" Arian put his paw to his chin, trying to recall that moment.
What happened? Last thing I remember, I was…
He racked his addled brain, trying to remember. A sense of déjà vu came over him, and for a panicked moment, the Riolu thought he had lost his memories again.
Come on, think! Cathbad…and then they were arguing with…Leonid.
The mention of the tsesarevich suddenly made him remember what had happened.
"Leonid!" An angry snarl crossed his muzzle. Subconsciously, his hand went to the back of his head, feeling where the prince had knocked him back into the stalactite. "He attacked me!"
"I had a feeling that was the case," grumbled Bróna. "Damn Sel should've kept his temper in check."
"Um, Arian?" Elvira piped up. "About Leonid…"
"What about him?" Arian tilted his head, noticing the sudden nervous air that had come over his partner. She was pressing her fingers against each other, and by the sound of her voice, there was some news she was reluctant to break to him.
"Well…he…that is to say, Prince Leonid, he-"
Elvira was then interrupted by a brusque knocking at the door. Arian picked up on a slight metallic noise with each knock.
"Come in!" ordered the nurse.
First trickled in the Falinks that made up Carwyn, with C leading the charge as usual. Then came the very one being discussed: Prince Leonid himself. Arian wasted no time sending a glower his way.
"Oh, speak of the devil." The Riolu made no attempt to hide his bitterness. "If it isn't the stuck-up prince himself."
Leonid merely huffed at Arian's indignation, and crossed his arms.
"I see you have recovered." His own tone was no less resentful than the Riolu's. "Has your partner informed you of the news yet?"
"News? What news?" Arian demanded.
"Our little alliance is hereby terminated," Leonid announced. "And hereafter, I will have no association with you or any other member of the Irian Guild. I will not cooperate with rats who dabble in treachery like yourself. I gave you one chance and you struck me in the midst of my duel with one of the most capital traitors of my nation!" He angrily pointed a blade at Arian. "I will have no more to do with the likes of you, Arian of Team Elpis!"
Leonid was now yelling at him. Oddly, Arian didn't feel anything towards this recent revelation. He felt like he saw this coming, that they wouldn't be able to overcome their differences and their relationship would just outright break down. But he also felt that this wasn't a truth he had to resign himself to.
He didn't feel any sort of anger or betrayal from within him. It was a relief, almost, to have to admit that.
"Please," Elvira was saying. "I know we talked before, but one more chance! Please, I beg of you, Your Highness! We need you! Selenia needs-"
"No, Elvira. We don't need him."
Arian spoke. The words came out cold and unemotional, an odd calm having come over him.
"A-Arian?" Elvira turned to her partner. "What do you mean, 'we don't need him?'! He's the entire reason we're in Alba!"
"Maybe we've been barking up the wrong tree this whole time," Arian continued, just as coldly as before. "Maybe this whole journey was a waste of time. Maybe we ought to have stayed in Selenia to begin with. I would've certainly done that-" he pointed to Leonid. "If I'd known what a pompous ass we would've found."
"You little varmint…So you reveal your true colours at last," snarled Leonid.
"But Arian! Think about the support he could give us! The people that would rally behind him - behind us! If the Selenians knew that he was alive, we could have a good chance of winning against Mitrofan and overthrowing him!" Elvira sounded almost desperate, perhaps in the hope that her partner would see sense with her reminders of what Leonid could bring.
"And if the Selenians saw him in action, they would be disappointed," Arian countered. "You've seen how he acts. He doesn't have our best interests at heart. If he did, then…" He gestured to his bandaged head wound. "Why did he attack me?"
"Because you attacked me, you blackguard!" shouted Leonid. "I would not have done it if you hadn't struck me in the first place!"
"You didn't realise it was a mistake? Can you really not see sense?" Arian shook his head. "Some leader you are, attacking your allies in the middle of battle."
"Enough of this folly!" the Bisharp replied, one of his bladed hands brought to his chest in indignance. "The nerve of you, to speak of a superior like you have!"
"Superior? Ha!" A bitter laugh came from the Riolu. "I'd never call you that. Not in this lifetime, Leonid. Hell will freeze over before I treat you like someone worth respecting."
"A-Arian!" A tear dribbled down Elvira's cheek. "This isn't like you! You've never been so…cold like this!"
"Someone has to tell him, Elvira." Arian's brow creased with a stern look. "He can't continue with this attitude of his. Either he changes…or we leave him here in Alba. We don't need his sort in a new Selenia."
"You would dare have Selenia without a Ruslan leader?!" Leonid was appalled. But at the same time, Arian detected a small twinge of fear within him. "Blasphemy! You cannot have Selenia without a Ruslan! You would disrupt my house's Divine Inheritance and bring ruin upon my nation! That is exactly what is happening now! Selenia lies stagnant, while the state of our continent is plagued with natural disasters! All because that turncoat disrupted the will of the divine! That is the root cause of our continent's rot!"
Wait, what? Arian caught that last part. That's the cause of the natural disasters?
"And you!" He pointed his left blade at Arian, who noticed the slight shake as he pointed. "You would keep up that decline all for your lack of respect for the Creator's will!"
"The Creator's will? Geez, you really are reaching new depths," Arian scoffed. "Maybe we should ask Cathbad what they think of that, hmm? I wonder what they'd have to say?"
The mention of Alba's archdruid made Leonid physically seethe. "That seer will not tell you anything!" he yelled. "All you'll get is a what-about fortune of lies and-"
"Alright, that's enough!"
A voice that didn't belong to either Team Elpis or Leonid interrupted them. Both sides turned to see Bróna whirl on Leonid with a disapproving look.
"I was going to let this slide until you'd sorted yourselves out," she began. "But don't you bring the archdruid into this. They're someone who's saved many lives thanks to those future sight powers they have. Including yours, from what I heard. Yet you're not grateful at all!
"Mmmrgh…This is not the time for that!" Leonid tried to divert the topic. "This wretch is trying to-"
"Stop it!" the Clefable interrupted. "Peata gan mhúineadh is ea tú! I don't blame the Riolu one bit for talkin' up to you. Frankly, he'd make a better ruler than you ever would!"
"Wh-" Leonid found himself lost for words, before looking back at Arian. The Riolu could feel the thoughts forming in his head. "Y-You…!"
He raised his fist, but before he could act, the Clefable fired a small Fairy Wind at him, knocking him off balance.
"None of that in here!" Suddenly, she was set off. "Get out! Get your noble arse out of my infirmary!"
"Damn you, mercenary!" Leonid cursed, turning on his heel. "I never want to see you again as long as I draw breath!"
"You too, you stuck-up bastard!" Arian called after him.
Leonid stormed out of the room. Carwyn was collectively stunned at the exchange, before C spoke up.
"Come on, men! We still have a duty!"
"Yes, sir!" most of the troop proclaimed, and they followed after their brass out the door and after the prince.
Before they completely departed, Arian caught Y and N taking a parting glance at him. It was faint, but there was a hint of guilt in their expressions. It went just as quickly as it arrived, and the two Falinks left to catch up with the rest of their troop.
"I…This is too much." Elvira, trying to bite back tears, spoke up next. "I might need to lie down somewhere and process all this…" She quickly turned and left the room.
Now it was just Arian and Bróna. Suddenly the room felt much more vacant and open, and the silence was almost surreal after the heated argument that had just occurred.
"Well then. I suppose I'll get back to changing those bandages," the Clefable said, moving in to take them off. "Brace yourself. This might hurt."
Great…hospital stuff. Arian clenched his teeth as the nurse began her procedure.
The rest of the evening went uneventfully. Arian was given a small meal of oran berries and some crackers, which was a little less substantial and not as nice as he would've liked it. Infirmary food, he inwardly grumbled. Hopefully I get better stuff when I'm discharged.
The next day came and went, and throughout it all, Arian fidgeted restlessly, awaiting the moment when the nurse would give him the all-clear. He was bored out of his mind, with not much to do but rest in his bed and go for the occasional stroll when he was allowed to. There was no one to talk to, either, and he desperately ached for someone beyond Bróna to converse with. Alas, Elvira never returned, and he didn't get a surprise visit from Cathbad either.
Everyone's busy, the Riolu thought to himself. That's probably it.
The night came and went, and the next morning, the nurse examined him physically.
"...You seem in good enough condition to go," she said, humming thoughtfully to herself. "But take it easy. You did nearly meet your end."
"Understood, nurse," Arian said. No promises, he immediately thought afterwards. He hadn't exactly been afforded that luxury so far.
He left the infirmary. The first destination on his mind was the cafeteria, where he found himself dying for some decent food, his tummy growling in annoyance at the lack of sustenance.
That wasn't the only issue on Arian's mind. It was hot today, even hotter than Arian had experienced in Alba thus far. The sun had long since begun its ascent, and stealing a look outside, Arian saw it was mid-to-late morning. Even still, the blazing temperatures made it feel like the sun was directly overhead, a fireball upon the parched nation.
As though Groudon Himself appeared. Arian recalled reading that legend, about a giant red dinosaur of the molten earth that brought sunlight harsh enough to scorch the land in its wake when it appeared long ago. These days, it was an idiom in the Alban conscience that he'd heard trotted around by passersby, whenever the heat was particularly scorching. Which, to the Riolu, felt like every day.
Hopefully they get some rain soon, he mused, as he spotted the cafeteria entrance with a few mercenaries milling around its entrance. This drought feels like hell on earth…
"Oh heeeeeyyyyyyy! Arian!"
A bright cheery voice cut through Arian's thoughts and made him jump in fright.
"Ah!" He put his paw to his chest. Looking up, his gaze caught a kaleidoscopically colourful mess of feathers in the shape of an Archeops. "Oh, it's just you, Scáthach…"
"Hee hee. Sorry for scaring you." Alba's tánaiste put her wing to her mouth in a titter. "C'mon, let's get some grub. Boring paperwork really builds up an appetite!"
Two mercs opened the door for them, Scáthach giving thanks as she and Arian entered the cafeteria. Two sensations greeted Arian the moment he walked in; the hustle and bustle of Alban mercenaries devouring food before the day's missions, and a wave of appetising scents coming from the kitchen that made his stomach growl and his mouth water.
"Cairbre's cooking up something good!" An excited glint came into Scáthach's eye. "Then again, when isn't he?"
"You're too kind, Tánaiste!" Tiarnán called from where he was serving up breakfast to a small queue. "I'll get to you in just a sec!"
After some minutes of waiting, the Chimecho psychically handed Arian and Scáthach trays with couscous, dates, sliced tamato and payapa berries, and a cup of pinap juice. It looked fairly appetising, and Arian immediately looked around for a place to sit at.
It didn't take long to find one: he spotted a familiar Treecko staring at her food on a mostly empty bench. Mòrag floated next to her, leaning in Arian couldn't help but notice a sense of glumness about the Treecko, and guilt twinged within him. I hope I didn't upset her too much with what I said before…
"Oh hey, there's Elvira!" Scáthach cawed peppily, before scurrying over to where the Treecko was looking glumly at her food. As they got closer, they could hear the exchange between Mòrag and Elvira.
"Would you like some tea, Elvira?" the Polteageist was saying.
"No thank you." The Treecko shook her head glumly.
"Ah, go on, would you not have another cuppa?"
"I'm okay, Mòrag."
"I might as well refill your cup while I'm out here."
"I'm fine, Mòrag. Really." Elvira put her hands out in insistence.
"Go on, have another. I've plenty of tea in here!" Mòrag gestured to her teapot.
"I'm fi-"
"Hey, could you maybe not harass my partner like that?" Arian interjected, huffing in annoyance as he and Scáthach approached Elvira's table.
"Hey, Mòrag!" Scáthach piped up, before the Polteageist could react to Arian's protest. "I heard Sharptooth Éanna over there wants a cuppa!" She pointed a wing towards a table where a fluffy-maned Growlithe stood to attention at the mention of their name.
"Ah, Éanna! Do you want a cup of tea?" Mòrag called, immediately turning toward the aforementioned Growlithe and moving towards them, much to babbling protests from the unlucky mercenary.
"Sorry about her," Scáthach apologised, perching on the bench next to where Arian was setting his food down next to his partner's. "Mòrag means well, really. She's just a little too enthusiastic about serving people."
"That's one way of putting it," Arian said, as he took a date and popped it in his mouth. He chewed and swallowed it, before looking at his partner. "...Hi, Elvira."
"...Hi," was all Elvira had to say, before taking a date for herself and slowly munching on it. She didn't look to have much of an appetite, though, based on the barely touched plate of food in front of her.
"You okay, Elvira?" Scáthach asked. "Why are you sad?"
"...I…I just don't know what to do right now," the Treecko said. "We came all this way to Alba to recruit Prince Leonid, hoping that he would be the one to help us truly rise up against Mitrofan. If he was there, the Selenian people would rally to him. But…now I'm wondering if he'd even want to help them…"
"He wouldn't." Arian shook his head. "If he treated us like crap, who's to say that he won't be like that to everyone else? Or his people afterward, if we do beat Mitrofan?"
"I…Y-You have a point," Elvira conceded, though it clearly hurt to admit it. "But the hatred some people have for us, even when they need to compromise…Why do they choose the worse path? People like Chief Uther and Chief Eilidh as well…All that fighting, with no room to reconcile." She shook her head, putting her head in her hands. "I don't get it…"
"Hatred blinds. That's why," Scáthach said. The bird's chipper tone turned unusually serious. "It doesn't matter where they're from or what they've been through. There will always be someone that people always want to identify as 'the other' that they can pin all their woes on like a scapegoat and blame for everything. For the Dressies, it's Alba and everyone in it. For Dálriada and Annwyn, it's Trahy. For Prince Leonid, it's your Guild. In every case, it's hatred towards someone that fuels them and keeps them going."
She sighed, her wings drooping. "It's a strong emotion, and in some cases, I don't blame people for embracing hatred. Especially when 'the other' has taken something most precious from them…"
Scáthach's gaze fell to the table in dismay, as Arian and Elvira took in her words. It seemed wise to say, yet Arian couldn't help but wonder…Did any personal experience fuel that speech?
"Aaaanyway. How are you two?" Suddenly Scáthach's expression flipped, as though they hadn't been sad just a second before. "I heard you had quite the adventure over in Dálriada!"
"Oh, er…" Elvira was taken aback by the sudden change in demeanour.
"You can say that again," muttered Arian. "We all would've died if not for Cathbad showing up." He paused to shovel some couscous into his mouth.
"Good thing they saw it coming, then!" Scáthach chirped happily.
"Wait, what?" Arian swallowed his food, not sure if he'd heard correctly. "They saw it coming?"
"Yep! A few nights ago, they came to me telling me they foresaw your death in some cave somewhere," the Archeops explained. "Ca wanted to follow you, so I sent them to you as a little back-up plan in case things went wepear-shaped."
"They foresaw it?" Elvira tilted her head, confused.
"They sure did! Archdruid Cathbad's visionary powers are second to none!" Scáthach proclaimed proudly. "Better than any psychic! And now you were saved from certain death, and Eilidh was brought to justice!"
"Brought to justice?" Arian asked. "How?"
"Oh, we executed her for her crimes."
"What?" Elvira nearly spat out her juice in shock. "E-Executed?!"
"Yep! They were being rebellious and they were killing a lot of people without reason," Scáthach reasoned, as if it were elementary logic. "We have standards in this country! We can't let blatant murder like that slide! And so to the gallows she went!"
"Th-That's a bit extreme, isn't it?" Arian said. "I know it's rebellion, but surely there was another option?"
"Nope." Scáthach shook her head. "We've tried talking before to both Dálriada and Annwyn, but they dealt in black rent with us. And every time, they broke their promises. So no, Trahy had his mind made up about what to do with Eilidh. And Ca did too, who pushed it at her trial yesterday."
"Cathbad advocated for that?" Elvira, about to scoop some couscous with her spoon, stopped mid-lift. "But clergymon are meant to seek peace, no?"
"Not really," Scáthach replied. "Ca would know more than me about this, but the Creator's a judge, and He can be wrathful just as much as He can be merciful. And as one of His representatives as Archdruid, Ca has to be like that too. It's not often, though; you really have to do something bad to set them off. Like Eilidh did."
"Cathbad did seem like they were on the warpath back in the caves," said Arian, putting his hand to his chin as he recalled the Absol's trouncing of the Dálriadans. But then he remembered something else from that brawl.
"Cathbad also saved Ludmila for some reason," he said, his brow furrowing. "Why'd they do that?" He clasped his paws together and put them to his mouth, pondering.
"See, that's proof they can be merciful too!" Scáthach pointed out. "Dunno why, though. Hm. You might have to ask them."
"They said something about it being a Selenian matter," Elvira brought up.
"Yeah, but Ludmila was in the same boat as Eilidh in trying to kill us," Arian countered. "Why would Cathbad spare her and yet not spare Eilidh?"
"Because Eilidh was the leader," Scáthach said. "Everyone else was spared. They've been put in the smachtlann, where we have plans for them."
"Plans, huh…" Arian was mildly unnerved by those words, but tried not to show it.
"You'd have to ask Ca themself. They're doing a rite today, actually," Scáthach said, as if suddenly reminded of that fact. "You should go if you wanna catch them."
"A rite? As in…church stuff?" Arian wondered.
"Well, duh! They have to do church stuff as Archdruid!"
"Oh. Y-Yeah. Right." Arian scratched his head, feeling mildly foolish.
"They're very busy, but I'm sure they'll make time to see you," the Archeops went on. "Especially if it's you, Arian." They paused to sip from their pinap juice.
"M-Me?" Arian blinked at his name being mentioned.
"I don't know why, but Ca has quite the interest in you." Scáthach turned to Arian as she put her drink down. "Enough that they'd forgo their duties to observe you. It's…interesting. I hope they're not bothering you, hehe," she tittered.
"They're not." Arian might've been concerned before, but after seeing Cathbad jump in to save him back in the Cnoc Dearg Caves, there was a sense of debt he felt for them. "I'd like to go. To this rite."
"I'd like to go too," Elvira seconded. "Now that Prince Leonid's broken ties with us, we need a new way forward. And consulting Cathbad could help."
"Well, guess your minds are made up about that! Good to hear!" Scáthach cheered, throwing her wings in the air in delight. "But finish your breakfasts first! You don't want Cairbre hounding you for wasting food, hee hee!"
"Does he do that?" Arian asked, as he dug into more couscous.
"You bet he does! Lemme tell you about this one time he went hard on this little rookie because he wasn't hungry…"
"Man, Guild stories are weird," Arian remarked, as he and Elvira left the cafeteria.
"That sounded like some of the tales Dad told me before about Guild arguments. Those stories were always funny," Elvira said, with a light giggle in remembrance.
"Oh, by the way, Elvira…" Arian hesitated, scratching the back of his head guiltily. "Sorry if you were upset by what I said to Leonid."
"...It's fine." The Treecko's smile lessened, but there was an understanding look in her eye. "I can understand why you said what you said. You clearly were at your wit's end with Prince Leonid. Honestly…I was too. But I didn't say anything because I didn't want to rock the boat with him."
"He's a lost cause," scoffed Arian. "We need a new path forward. And hopefully Cathbad can give us that answer."
"Mmm."
Arian and Elvira reached the Guild doors and walked out into the courtyard, into the bright sunlight. And in an instant, they wished they remained inside.
"Gods above, it's hot today," Arian panted, putting his paw to his forehead. "How the hell can people live in this kind of heat?"
"Incredibly resilient people." Elvira was also feeling the heat, attempting to fan herself with her hands. "But even Albans are suffering. I saw a few people suffering from heatstroke in the wards while you were unconscious, Arian."
"Really? Man, that's…that's not good at all." The Riolu bit his lip. "If this is too much for even the people accustomed to desert weather, then what does that say for us?"
"And I thought our summer heatwave was bad. But this…" Elvira took a brief moment under the shade at the Guild's entrance. Notably, Alasdair and Salann were also sticking to the side where the shade provided slight relief. "This is too much. I want to go home…I want to go back to Selenia."
The forlorn look on her face gave Arian pause for thought. It had never occurred to him how out of her element Elvira might have been in a desert climate like this one, having grown up in the cooler, more temperate climate of Selenia, where heavy snowfall often came around wintertime and the average peak temperatures, even in summer, never came close to the Alban average.
And with all they had been through, especially the day before with the near-death scrap with Annwyn and Dálriada, he understood part of what that expression spelled.
Homesickness.
And it took Arian a minute to realise…he felt the same way too. The green grasslands of Selenia were a far cry from the sandy deserts of Alba, and it was much too hot for him with his fur. If not for his rawst scarf, he almost certainly would've succumbed to heatstroke by this stage.
"...So do I," Arian admitted. "We'll see what Cathbad has to say, and go from there. At least we're not bound to Leonid anymore, with the lost cause he is."
"I guess…" Elvira still sounded unsure about that, to which Arian sighed.
I just hope we don't have to deal with him again…
The trek to Breifne Cathedral wasn't a long one, but the wretched heat made it feel that way. A collective tiredness hung over Alba's capital, one Arian noticed in the looks of passersby. The awnings of buildings along the Príomhshráid had Pokémon of all shapes and sizes staying under them, and the yelling of merchants as they hawked their goods seemed more exhausted, as though the energy wasn't there to pitch their wares to passersby.
At one point, they passed by a tavern named Teach Bhríde, which had a long line going out the door as people lined up to quench their thirst. Arian half considered joining the queue for a drink, even if said drink would probably be beer, something he figured he abhorred. He had overheard tales of a beverage called poitín being served in select pubs, though they were spoken of in a hush-hush manner. Even a bit of that would be a blessing to his parched throat right now.
Eventually, after what felt like an age of walking, they arrived at Breifne Cathedral. To Arian's surprise, there were a fair amount of people milling about outside, waiting to head in.
"Huh…Didn't expect there to be this many people here," he remarked.
"Church congregations can be crowded at the best of times," Elvira said. "And more so when they have someone like an Archdruid presiding over this one."
"Archdruid Cathbad…They do seem to be well-respected here." Arian looked around at all the people; a possible testament to their popularity. "Yet, hmm…I get the feeling there's more to them than meets the eye…"
"Hoi, you talkin' shite about Cathbad?"
Arian jumped and looked up. Standing next to him was a Mightyena, with their hackles raised.
"I wasn't!" Immediately, the Riolu was on the defensive.
"I know you two," he growled. "You're Sels, aren't you?" The altercation took the notice of a few in the crowd.
"And? So what if we are?" Arian returned with his own growl.
"Get yer bark-eatin' arses back down south." The Mightyena bared his teeth. "You can worship the Creator down in your forests like the ceithearnaigh choille you are."
"Grrr, you're asking for it!" The Riolu balled his fists. He was already in a bad mood thanks to the blazing heat, and this encounter was flaring his temper.
"A-Arian! Please, let's not fight," Elvira urged.
"Ha! You really are Sels!" guffawed the Mightyena. "Only a Sel would turn down a fight like the cowards they are!"
"That's it! I'm smashing your face in!" snarled Arian, before running forward and slamming an uppercut into the Mightyena's jaw. The black canine yowled in pain at the strike.
"Arian!" Elvira gasped. "Don't! Please, we're not here to fight, we're here to-"
"You like that, huh?!" Arian yelled, ignoring his partner. "Don't talk shit about us again!" He got ready to throw another punch, but at that moment, a light jet of water interrupted him and stopped him in his tracks.
"Come on, Arian! Don't drag yourself down to his level!"
A new voice echoed through the crowd, and when Arian looked towards where the shot had come from, he saw who'd said it - and immediately, unease sprung in his heart.
"Sabrina? What are you doing here?"
"Here for church, obviously. What else?" the Dragonair sang sweetly. "Anything to get out of this insufferable heat. The perfect weather to stir tempers and get fights going."
Right as she said that, the cathedral bells began ringing, and onlookers towards the brawl turned their attention to head inside.
"Come on, let's go!" Sabrina slithered towards the church, and as she passed Arian, the Riolu felt the end of her tail wrap around his arm.
"Wah!" he cried, startled. "I-I'm coming, I'm coming!" He went after her, while Elvira followed alongside.
But Arian couldn't deny the growing pit in his stomach. As he passed one of the tents outside the cathedral once the crowd began to slow as they neared the cathedral doors, he happened to catch one of the dishevelled Ceredigonian refugees pointing in his direction.
Not directly at him, though. It was at the one in front of him.
Sabrina.
He couldn't pick out those refugees' words amid the din of the crowd, but that reaction stayed with him. And given the prior suspicions he'd had about the Dragonair…
This isn't going to end well, is it?
The church's airiness was a blessed relief from the stifling heat. Matters were slightly hampered by the amount of congregants attending the rite, but luckily Sabrina managed to squeeze herself, Arian and Elvira into a pew near the back next to a Toucannon pair and their Pikipek chicks. The unlucky congregants who couldn't find pews stood instead.
Breifne Cathedral was a sizable church, and many could fit in it. The stained glass windows depicted the numerous deities of the world, along with tapestries depicting various stages of the world's creation. The biggest stained glass window behind the altar depicted Lord Arceus the Creator in all of his glory, with his cross-wheel shining brightly, in part illuminated by the bright sun from outside. It wasn't too different from Iria Cathedral in espousing such reverence to Ardalion's Creator.
Sitting there in the pew amidst the hubbub of congregants, Arian found his breathing becoming more shaky. Deep breaths, deep breaths, he told himself, breathing in through his nose. Sabrina might not do anything. You don't know that. Maybe those suspicions were just Enfys being-
"You okay, Arian?"
"Ah!" Arian's paw went to his heart, but looking to his left, he saw it was the source of his worry herself. "I-I'm fine."
"You sure? You sound panicky. Do you not like large crowds like this?"
"Er, y-yeah." Sure, let's go with that.
"Oh, you sweet thing, you'll be okay. The rite's about to begin, so at least we're getting going now." Sabrina turned her gaze forward, lifting her head so she could see what was happening.
Arian, alas, with his short stature, had to settle for seeing the backs of the congregants in front of him - a Rhydon and Armaldo duo, both tall figures that he couldn't see over. Man, I wish I was taller, he thought. I really need to look into getting that evolution sometime.
He broke from that thought as the sound of an organ and a harp being plucked echoed throughout the cathedral, his ears pricking at the music. It was a pleasant melody, one that the Riolu found was a soothing balm that calmed his mild panic at being stuck next to the potentially suspicious Dragonair.
Not long after, the sound of a choir lent their voices to the music accompaniment, with a male tenor leading the first verse.
"Sa cheithre abhainn, ritheann a fhuil croí
Ag cothú a thalún naomh,
Ar na bruacha, doirtear fuil laochra
Ag truailliú dearg na h-abhann.
Solas ór, báiste uasal, lonrú óna réim,
Chun an fhuil a ní,
Glóir dár gCruthaitheoir, a chumhacht 's a neart,
Go dtabharfadh sé ceartas dúinn…"
It was heavenly. Arian couldn't help but smile as he listened to the rich sounds being played and the harmony of the choir. He didn't understand any of the words, but he didn't feel the need to. The pleasant melodies being evoked in the hymn was enough for him.
Eventually, the hymn came to a close. No sooner had the cathedral become silent again, than a voice spoke from the altar - one Arian recognised immediately.
"In the name of Lord Arceus the Creator and all that he shaped with His Thousand Hands, may we commence this holy rite."
The same voice that, only a few days before, had been in a verbal spat with Prince Leonid was now preaching to the congregation. After the events in the Cnoc Dearg Caves, Arian would recognise that commanding voice anywhere.
Cathbad Bhán Ní Riagáin, Archdruid of Alba, stood behind the podium, giving their sermon. The congregation's attention became drawn to them, and all conversation quietened.
"We begin this rite with an opening prayer," they said, their voice echoing across the church through an amplification crystal atop the podium. "O Creator, you give us water, where it flows from the highest peaks down to the lowlands where your subjects drink. The essence through which your lifeblood flows nurtures us and washes away our sins. It is our wish that you may renew the flow of water from your holy mountains and offer us your protection from the savagery of the desert and the intent of outsiders to bend our will. May you grant our wish by your own divine power, O Creator."
"Amen," the crowd said in unison.
Matters got rather boring after that. Other priests partook in readings from the Scriptures and prayers of the faithful, and Arian began to tune out the voices of the others. He couldn't help but be mildly disappointed. Was Cathbad going to be sidelined by these everyday clergymon? Not that he wished ill upon them, but there was something about the Absol archdruid's voice that he found soothing, as though he wanted to hear more of it.
Wait, why am I feeling like this? Arian snapped himself back to attention. Stop it, Arian.
Just as he did, though, his wish was granted as Cathbad spoke again.
"It is Our Creator's will that justice is inexorable; that its force and influence may keep His people from being led astray by sin and greed. Where possible, the will to forgive must prevail, but if it cannot after countless attempts to reconcile…then wielders of justice have little choice but to forge it with violent will. Lord Arceus dealt as much with the Renegade, where even His benevolence could not turn His third disciple from the path of aggression, and so He cast the Renegade from His midst. His heart was cleaved in twain at this decision…but it was for the good of the world and the people in it."
So the Renegade was good at one point in time? Arian thought. Hmm… He looked to his left at Sabrina, where to his surprise, he could detect a small note of…revulsion? The Dragonair's face was unreadable, but he had caught that subtle emotional tic. Before he could think about what this meant, the words in Cathbad's sermon caught his attention.
"Such was why the fate of death was consigned recently to Eilidh Tunlaire Mhic Riada, the chieftain of Dálriada. For instigation of pillaging, murder and fanning the flames of rebellion, she had strayed beyond the realm of forgiveness, and threatened to drag her clansmon down with her. She was a dangerous force, one that our Creator Himself would not tolerate, and thus her right to life became forfeit."
Arian swore he detected notes of bitterness in Cathbad's voice as they spoke about the recent events of the past few days.
"We pray that those in Dálriada and Annwyn cease their hostilities and turn towards the path of peace and cooperation. We extend that wish to our whole nation, and unite against all threats to our nation's wellbeing, both within and without. Our fellow clanspeople in Ceredigion still remain under Dresilian oppression, and for them, our wish is twofold: that they may one day know peace, and that their oppressors be brought to justice, in the name of our Creator."
In an instant, Arian felt the air shift among those around him. An atmosphere of reverence had become one of repugnance, and it had come about once Cathbad had brought up Ceredigion under Dresilian oppression. The Toucannon family next to them had definite frowns, and he could hear angry whispering among some quarters of the congregation.
"We shall have a minute's silence for those who have perished in these recent conflicts." Cathbad's voice echoed across the cathedral. "May Yveltal guide their souls to the heavens, where they may rest among their Creator and their ancestors."
The quiet whispering hushed, and the atmosphere of reverence returned. A solemnity overcame the church, and it was a sobering air for Arian and Elvira to feel. It was almost funeral-like, and Arian immediately felt guilty for not showing the same sorrow as everyone else.
He clasped his paws together and bowed his head, like a number of other congregants were doing, and uttered a silent prayer in his head.
I hope everyone affected by everything going wrong with the world manages to find peace someday. Everyone in Selenia, everyone in Alba too, and probably the Eastern people, even though I haven't met them yet. Ardalion's in a bad state right now, and hopefully one day we can find the root cause of it and fix everything. I'm not from this world…but I care for it. I don't want to see people suffering day in, day out…
His paws' grip tightened, as if praying harder would bring his message into reality. He knew this wouldn't be the case, but he hoped that somehow, his wish could be heard by someone. Maybe the Creator Himself, even if it was quite the long shot.
Amidst this reverence, however, he noticed one patch of disgust among the solemn silence. It was right next to him, and he didn't have to open his eyes to figure out who it was.
…Maybe my suspicions were right after all.
"And now for the offerings to Our Creator and His disciples."
Once again, Arian cursed his lack of height as he tried to look between the congregants to see what was happening. He was distracted, and didn't expect Sabrina to lean over and whisper to him, especially after that thought he just had.
"They're getting out sacramental wine to perform a libation with," the Dragonair whispered to him. Arian nodded in understanding, trying not to let his suspicion show.
"And then after, we're going to go up to the altar to receive blessings from the priests," Elvira said. "At least, that's how it goes in Selenia-"
"Shh!" The Toucannon next to Elvira brought his wing to his beak in a disgruntled shushing manner.
"Sorry," the Treecko apologised. Arian turned away from them to listen to what was being said. Cichol seemed to be speaking, Cathbad presumably stepping back for the moment. The Sigilyph made declarations for the libation to various deities, with three of those names standing out to Arian.
"Dialga, Keeper of Time; may time remain steady by your will."
"Palkia, Guardian of Space; may space remain stable by your every breath."
"Lord Arceus, our blessed Creator; may you be remembered by our people for the world you have gifted us."
There was a pause, before Cichol spoke again.
"And an offering for Your Grace Archdruid Cathbad Bhán Ní Riagáin, our Creator's elect to serve in His name. Take this wine, drink it, and may you be blessed by its essence."
Another pause.
"A most worthy offering." Cathbad's voice returned. "It is thanks to our Lord Arceus that such heavenly gifts can be bestowed unto us. We shall redouble our efforts to return the favour to you, O Creator."
Even if it was a boring church ceremony and even if he couldn't see them, Arian did enjoy hearing the Absol's serene voice.
"And now may you all receive a similar gift, to be blessed by His holy water."
At this command, the congregation all suddenly rose, and began to file their way in lines towards the front.
Sabrina took the lead, while Arian and Elvira trailed her. Once again, Arian's thoughts became filled with the Dragonair's intentions. What do I do? It's all suspicions and gut feelings. I can't accuse her on that alone. But do I accuse her? …Maybe I should tell Team Scalebreaker. Are they still out of town?
As Arian approached the altar, he suddenly heard a voice.
Stay inside.
What? Arian looked around, trying to see where the voice had come from.
Stay inside the church. I implore you.
He recognised that voice. It was all too familiar - the one he had been wanting to hear more of all throughout the sermon.
However, the Riolu didn't have time to think about this before he was bumped into from behind.
"Oof! A-Arian." The awkwardness on Elvira's face said it all.
"S-Sorry," Arian murmured lamely, before moving forward to where Cichol was levitating a chalice of holy water.
"To you," the Sigilyph said, before anointing water on Arian's forehead. The cool liquid was a balm in the scorching weather, and Arian savoured it as he returned to his seat...next to where Sabrina was.
He gritted his teeth, trying not to let his feelings show, and waited until everyone had returned back from the altar for the rite to reach its conclusion.
"Bow your heads and pray for our Creator's blessing," Cathbad began again, and in step with them, the congregation bowed their heads in prayer.
"Thanks be to His will," they said in unison. After this, it was call and response between the archdruid and the congregants.
"Lift up your hearts."
"We lift them up to Him."
"May you all be right and just under his aegis."
"May His judgement guide our path."
"May our Creator's will be with you always, forever and ever…"
"Amen."
There was then an odd silence. Arian would've expected Cathbad to say some concluding words, but instead…nothing. A glance over at Sabrina, who had a vantage point from the aisle, confirmed his suspicions that this was odd.
"What's that Absol doing…?" the Dragonair muttered. "They're just standing there. Why have they stopped?"
As if to get those final words over the line, Cichol's voice suddenly echoed through the cathedral.
"This rite has ended," Cichol said. "Imígí i síocháin."
At these words, everyone rose from the pews and began filing their way out of the church. Elvira and Sabrina stood up, and Arian did so too - until he remembered what Cathbad had said to him.
Stay in the church. Please, I beg of you.
"Come on, Arian, let's go!" Sabrina said cheerfully, and she barged into the aisle ahead of other congregants, much to their disgruntlement. To Arian's horror, he found the Dragonair's tail had coiled around his leg, and he was being dragged along with her!
"W-Wait, Sabrina!" he cried. "Wait!"
But it was to no avail, and the Riolu was dragged along into the crowded aisle, with mutterings of annoyance from those who he collided with.
"Hold on a minute, wait for me!" Elvira called as she slipped into the crowd making their way out of the church. Ahead of her, Arian was still crying out to Sabrina.
"Stop!" he yelled, as the two went back into open sunlight. "We need to stay inside! Cathbad told me earlier we need to stay inside the church! Let go of me! Let go!"
Then out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a red spark flash to his left further up the courtyard. And next minute-
KABOOOOOM!
A big explosion rocked the front of Breifne Cathedral, and screams rang out among the departing congregation who were caught in it. Chaos descended as smoke billowed around the cathedral front, and within seconds, no one could see a thing.
Arian, meanwhile, still had Sabrina's tail wrapped around his leg. What was a sinking feeling during the rite had grown into full-on despairing panic as he found himself caught smack-dab in the middle of this unfolding situation, with a cacophony of pained cries surrounding him and everyone running about like headless Torchic.
"S-Sabrina!" he cried, his voice barely audible over the screams. "Let go of me!" But the Dragonair's grip was like iron, as she continued to drag him through the smokescreen. Some of that smoke got into the Riolu's lungs, and he coughed savagely. He held his breath and covered his mouth and nose, realising it could be deadly if he breathed in much more of this.
"E-Elvira!" Arian suddenly realised. She's caught up in all of this! "We need to get Elvira!"
But his words went unheard by the Dragonair, as they continued to slip past panicking passersby. Mercifully they came to a point where the smoke had thinned and the people weren't as on top of one another. Arian could see where people were looking out windows at where the explosion had come from, where mothers beckoning their children inside, and where some were demanding the Guild be called.
Sabrina, meanwhile, slunk into an alleyway, and looked back at Arian, who was coughing after the smoke inhalation.
"Whew! Got out of that scrape just fine," she said, a note of mock relief in her voice.
"But Elvira's in there!" Arian protested, panicked. "She's in danger being stuck with all those people!" He tried to wriggle his foot free of Sabrina's grip. "Let go of me!"
"No," Sabrina denied, holding her grip firm. "I need you safe and sound, Arian."
The Riolu then noticed a sudden shift in the Dragonair's demeanour. Her sickly sweet attitude adopted a sinister note, and in an instant, what was warm and welcoming became cold and frigid.
Arian sensed this and gulped.
"I knew it," he said. "I knew there was something off about you. Enfys was right. I should never have trusted you!"
"You wound me," Sabrina said. "I would never betray someone as cute as you, Arian. But don't worry. I'll make sure your time with me is well-enjoyed~"
As she spoke, the back half of her tail curled into the shape of a heart, from which a pink energy formed. The Dragonair then fired it at Arian, who was too slow to react.
"Urk!" the Riolu cried, feeling the energy hit him. Strangely, though…it didn't hurt, as he had expected. He got ready to slug Sabrina across the face for that, until suddenly he stopped, as a strange haze overtook him and his sight began to swim.
"Wh-What's happening?" He put his paw to his head as he fought to keep his vision straight. In front of him, Sabrina still stood, and the thoughts of punching her into next week occurred in his mind. Yet somehow…the will wasn't there to summon an Ice Punch.
He felt Sabrina's tail push his chin up, only realising now his leg was free. That would've been a chance to make a run for it, and part of his mind screamed at him to do that. But again, the forefront of his mind told him to stay still as his and Sabrina's eyes locked.
"Come with me, Arian," the Dragonair said, and something about the way she said those words was just so alluring. In the bright light of the sun, there was something about her form and the way it moved that made her look radiant and beautiful. Amidst the haze that had overtaken him, she was a beacon in that fog.
"I have somewhere to bring you to," Sabrina continued, her words delivered in dulcet tones that Arian only wanted to hear more of. "Would you be willing to accompany me?"
No. No. No! She's luring you into a trap! Don't listen to her! Don't you dare say-
"Yes, Sabrina. I'll come with you."
The words came out dull. No bark or bite to them.
"Excellent," Sabrina purred. "Follow me, Arian~"
The coast was hardly clear outside with the chaos still gripping the surrounding populace. But with the amount of people, it was easy for the Dragonair to slither out of the alley with the controlled Riolu behind her, following her every move like a child following their mother.
No one noticed them heading for Breifne's eastern exit.
Notes
The melody of the hymn sung during the rite was based on 'Summer Song' by Anúna. I also very much based the rite on a Catholic mass, which I experienced on many occasions growing up. There's also some connections and parallels here with Omens of an Archdruid (Paralogue 9 in the Dual Wills: Paralogues), which stars Cathbad performing a rite, just like in this chapter.
Glossary
Altra - 'nurse' in Irish.
Peata gan mhúineadh is ea tú! - 'You are a spoiled child!' in Irish.
Smachtlann - 'Bridewell' in Irish; typically a jail for more minor offences.
Teach Bhríde - 'Bríd's House' in Irish. Some pub names in Ireland using Irish use 'Teach' in their naming.
Poitín - Also spelled as 'poteen' - an alcoholic drink in Ireland akin to moonshine that has a history of illegality.
Ceithearnaigh choille - 'Woodkerne' in Irish. This was another name for a medieval Irish bandit that typically resided in forests.
Imígí i síocháin - 'Go in peace' in Irish.
Hymn
"Sa cheithre abhainn, ritheann a fhuil croí
Ag cothú a thalún naomh,
Ar na bruacha, doirtear fuil laochra
Ag truailliú dearg na h-abhann.
Solas ór, báiste uasal, lonrú óna réim,
Chun an fhuil a ní,
Glóir dár gCruthaitheoir, a chumhacht 's a neart,
Go dtabharfadh sé ceartas dúinn…"
"In the four rivers, His lifeblood runs,
Nourishing his holy land,
On the banks, heroes' blood is spilt,
Staining the waters red,
Golden light, gentle rain, shining from His realm,
To wash the blood away,
Glory to our Creator, his power and his might
May he bring us justice..."