Hello everybody and welcome to the newest chapter of Holy War !
As many have noticed, the chapters update have been getting slower, as much as I tried to be quick with them. Alas, as I'm currently preparing for my Master's with night classes, plus juggling with a full time job during the day, time has been pretty scarce. More so since I'm trying to maintain the quantity - quality ratio of this fic.
In any case, I hope you enjoy this one too. I'll get started with the next one as quickly as possible. Thanks for your continued encouragement.
Friendly reminder :
Ishtar is the best ! = Text from the System
"Ishtar is the best !" = Talking
'Ishtar is the best !' = Thoughts
*Ishtar is the best !* = Sound effect
Copyright Disclaimer : I don't own anything about this fanfic, except for its OCs. Everything else belongs to their respective creators, and they're the ones that deserve praise.
Intermission 1 : You never know what the future has in store for you.
'So… This is war.'
"It hurts ! It hurts !"
"Please, someone, the pain…"
"This one's already dead. Cover him up and start the treatment for the next patient."
"My daddy. Please save my daddy !"
The medical ward was filled with bodies, alive and dead alike. Soldiers and civilians were either lying on sheets placed on the ground or were resting against the wall whereas priests and healers were running around and treating as many people as they could. Unfortunately, even with Chalphy's help, there were simply not enough people to treat all the injured even though the medical supplies weren't lacking.
"We need someone here. Quickly !"
"BROTHER ! YOU CAN'T DIE. STAY WITH ME ! BROTHER !"
"Bring me hot water and a clean piece of cloth."
I stayed in that room for a while, looking around at the injured howling in pain, at the healers shouting for assistance, and at the other crying over the death of their loved ones.
I couldn't bear to stay there standing any longer, so I did the only thing I had to do. I rolled up my sleeves and went to work. I wasn't a doctor, priest or a healer, but I at least have basic first aid knowledge from my past life, so I was confident I wouldn't be a hindrance.
Or at least that's what I thought…
"Hey, you ! Move it."
…
"This guy's already dead, can't you see?"
…
"I asked you to sterilize them first and bring them quickly. They're barely lukewarm now !"
…
After some time, it became clear to me that having knowledge about something and applying it in real life were two different things… No, I already knew that face, it wasn't my first time treating someone after all. What I didn't expect was the change of pace between taking care of a single individual with plenty of material and treating injuries of dozens of people with limited manpower and in a very short time-frame.
Needless to say, I was drained after all that work. I barely managed to crawl my tired body to the room I was given to use and lie on the bed in order to rest a little.
*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*
Of course, someone had to knock at my door at that very moment.
I groaned through the pillow before responding. "Who is it?" My voice sounded more tired than usual.
"I beg your pardon sir, but Lord Sigurd bade me to come fetch you." He just had to come now.
It was like he waited for me to be done at the medical ward before calling for me.
"Ugh, I'm on my way." I stayed lying on the bed a few more minutes, enjoying the soft feeling its blanket was procuring to my body before finally getting up. Of course, my body immediately tried to protest against such mistreatment. Unfortunately, neither of us had any say in the matter.
"Lead the way." I told the servant after opening the door and coming face-to-face with him.
He took a single glance at the state I was in, more specifically the dried blood on several areas of my person, even my hair, and only raised an eyebrow at me. I immediately got bashful, scratching my hair to hide my nervousness. I failed to notice I was directly scratching the blood in it.
"I suppose I should wash up a bit?" I asked, rhetorically, as I prepared my body to slump back to my room.
"I shall be waiting for you here." He bowed to me before closing back the door. I then went off to clean myself, taking care to scrub off every splotch of blood on me. It was particularly tough to get it out of my hair, but after a few minutes of persistent scratching and rinsing, I managed to get the offensive thing off.
A new set of clothes were waiting for me on my bed, courtesy of the servant beyond my door if I have to guess. It was a near perfect fit, and the style was okay enough. Neither was it too formal, nor too casual.
"Shall we now?" I asked him as I opened the door. He took a moment to look me over once more, nodding satisfyingly to himself before bowing.
"If you will please follow me." The whole thing almost made me laugh, but I managed to refrain myself quite handily.
The walk was a short one. My room wasn't that far away from the one Sigurd was using as his temporary office, so we arrived there quickly. The servant, once he reached the door, knocked three times and announced his presence. The reply was immediate and the servant opened the door and stood aside, allowing me to enter.
I could hear the door closing behind me as I made my way towards the study Sigurd was currently standing over.
"Good. You're here." He somehow noticed my approach and quickly turned around with a smile on his face.
"Yes…? How can I help you milord?" I asked hesitantly. I really couldn't figure out the reason as to why he would be calling me right now.
"Please, don't speak like that. You do not have to be so formal either, just call me by my name."
"Well, if you insist…" I took a small breath before speaking again. "What do you need Sigurd?"
"That's much better." He chuckled before dropping on the table the stack of papers he was holding. "The truth is, there are quite a number of things I require from you." I didn't speak, the sole indicator he had that I was listening to him was my raised eyebrow. "But before all that, there is someone I would like to introduce you to. I asked him for a favor, so he must surely be in the barracks. Do you mind accompanying me there?" I nodded silently, not seeing much else to do. "Fantastic. Let us be off."
As Sigurd was confidently walking towards our destination, I decided to fall in behind him. He was silent all of the way, which surprised me a little, but I didn't focus on it since my mind was more than busy thinking about the identity of the person he wanted to introduce me to.
Before I could even notice, we were standing at the entrance to the barracks. The doors were wide open, and inside were rows and columns of soldiers, all of them standing at attention. A single person was standing purposefully at their head, facing them. The spot of brown hair and slightly familiar face told me who it was almost immediately but I still activated my skill to check.
'Observation'
[ERROR]
"Aahhh !?" My sudden outburst alerted the brown-haired to our presence as he quickly turned around. But his weary expression morphed to a more pleasant one as he saw his best friend approach Sigurd only to look at me with a raised eyebrow for a moment before moving forward to meet his friend.
"Quan. I see you're busy with what I asked of you." Sigurd's voice caught the attention of the man, who turned around to look at us. I could see his smile widening just a bit as his eyes met Sigurd's approaching figure.
'What the heck was going on ?'
"Sigurd ! I am glad to finally see you. And in one piece at that." Quan's opened up his arms in an embrace and Sigurd followed suit.
Thankfully, I tucked myself a good distance behind Sigurd and stood in a way that he was hiding me from Quan's view. I tried to activate another one of my skills, but I still somehow got the same result.
"As am I Quan. Sorry for not being able to see you sooner." He separated himself from the hug and held the shoulders of his friend. "But I do have to ask, what are you doing here?"
'Maybe the Menu will work ?' As I gave the mental command, a different message from the previous ones appeared. Although it still wasn't the one I was expecting.
"Isn't that obvious ?" He looked at Sigurd as if the answer was indeed that obvious, but when the blue-haired didn't catch his meaning he opted to just explain instead. "We heard about the Verdane attack and couldn't just leave you be. We're here to do what we can."
[THE SYSTEM IS CURRENTLY FACING AN UNKNOWN ERROR AND HAS TO UNDERGO MAINTENANCE]
"But what about Leonster? Aren't your hands full there, keeping an eye on Thracia?" His voice was so full of worry that even I noticed from a distance.
'If the system is in maintenance then that means it will soon become available again, right ?' Unfortunately, I had no way to be sure of that. The only thing left for me to do is hope that it comes back before the next battle. Leaving it at that, I focused back on the conversation between Sigurd and Quan.
"Indeed. That's why Finn is the only knight here with me. The Lanceritter are all back at home, under Father's command."
"Is that so... Quan, I'm sorry for pulling you into this mess, too. I know you're--"
"Sorry?" He was certainly taken aback. He even blinked twice for good measure. "Surely you jest, Sigurd? Don't you recall our old pledge?"
"Hmm?" Now it was Sigurd's turn to blink twice.
"Come now !" He almost shouted, the vexation plain on his face as he looked at his friend with a barely concealed frown. "How could you forget? All those years ago, when we were students at the Belhalla academy ? You, me, and Eldigan. Dear friends and fierce rivals in equal measure ? Surely you recall that night, talking late about our hopes and dreams, and pledging our aid to one another in times of need ?"
"Ah, of course! I remember it well."
"Excellent. With both of us here, what hope could those Verdanite savages possibly have ? Never forget, Sigurd. I'm here for you, now and forever. I'll not let you lose to these lowlifes !"
Sigurd chuckled at his friend's declaration, but it was clear to anyone that it was good-naturedly. "Thank you Quan. I am certainly lucky to have you as a friend."
"Yes yes." He waved his hand in front of Sigurd's face as his focus was not on his friend anymore. Rather, it was on the person standing behind him. Me. "More importantly, do you mind introducing me to your friend over there ?"
Sigurd turned around to take a look at who or what got his friend's attention and almost facepalmed as he remembered my presence.
"Right. My apologies. I brought him here with me because I wanted to introduce the two of you." He sidestepped, standing squarely between Quan and me.
"We've already met before." I told Sigurd, my eyes still fixed on Quan's soothing brown eyes.
"Briefly." He shot back, also keeping his eyes fixed on me for some reason.
"Then this should go much more smoothly. Quan, this is Ray, the person who warned me about Verdane's impending invasion."
"I heard he is a mercenary. I didn't know Chalphy started employing them." Quan asked his friend, looking briefly at his side. Sigurd only chuckled for who knows what reason.
"Not really, no. The story behind that is actually very funny, but I'll tell you about it another time." That seemed to placate Quan's inquiry somehow and his gaze returned to my face. "Ray, this is Quan. One of my oldest and closest friends, who also happened to be my brother-in-law AND the crown prince of Leonster."
He walked towards me, thrusting his open hand in my direction as his eyes never left mine since they met. "A pleasure to meet you."
I took his hand in mine, shaking it firmly. "Likewise, your highness." As soon as the words left my mouth, I could see the slight twitch of his right eye and the slow tremble of his lower lip.
"Uhm, could you not ? Please ?" His voice was a bit more strained than earlier and he definitely seemed a bit more stuffed, letting me wonder what. Sigurd's laughter broke us out of our bubble as both of our attention turned towards him in expectation of an explanation.
"Quan is not that fond of fancy titles, etiquette and all that nonsense. Even more so than me, if you'll believe it." I could see on Quan's face that he was already exhausted with the situation, so maybe Sigurd wasn't completely off about his aversion to societal norms. The game didn't really flesh out such things unfortunately.
"Then how should I address you ? Quan ?" He was visibly shocked at first, most likely not used to others being so prompt on talking to him on a first name basis. But to me it was so-so. After Eldigan, Lachesis, Edain and Sigurd, I was pretty much used to it right now. Plus, it's not like there were any of those where I'm from.
"Y-yes ? Yes, that would be good. A-hum." He coughed into his hand to hide his embarrassment, maybe not used to someone agreeing so quickly, and Sigurd was openly laughing at him at the moment. "In any case, I was just about done with what you asked of me Sigurd." That at least managed to stop Sigurd's laughter, if even for a moment.
Sigurd glanced back to the soldiers who were still standing at attention a while back. "Thank you Quan. I knew you were the right person for this job." He clasped his friend's back in an affectionate manner, but said friend simply crossed his arms and turned around.
"I was a bit miffed that you couldn't even make time to see me upon my arrival but instead sent Oifey to me to ask that I check the conditions of your soldiers. Are Alec and Naoise dead ?" He threw an accusatory glare at Sigurd. "Is that how you treat your lifelong friend ?"
Sigurd just sighed, as if he somehow expected this. "You're right, once again. I apologize. It's just that I've been worrying a lot recently, about Edain, about Yngvi and about Chalphy too. If Verdane really does decide to launch an invasion, will we be able to repel them ?"
"Oh ? This is unlike you Sigurd. Are you…hesitating ?"
Quan was right. Sigurd has always been a reckless individual who will throw himself into a conflict without a second thought on its consequences if it could save a life.
"Do not misunderstand Quan. I will still try my very best to protect Grannvale, starting with Edain's rescue, even if I have to go to war with Verdane." The firmness in his voice, and the determination in his eyes, were impossible to fake. He was completely sincere. "But if asked, I would've preferred for none of this to happen at all."
Quan looked at his friend in silence for a while, as though he was deliberating something in his mind. He then punched Sigurd's shoulder out of nowhere, just strong enough for him to feel the sting for a couple of minutes at least.
"There's no need for you to be this distraught about the current situation. No one could've predicted it, and even if someone did, I doubt that it would've been enough to stop it altogether." Quan passed his arm over Sigurd's shoulder and brought him in for a one-sided hug. "Nevertheless, you now have me to help. It may not be much, but you can count on my spear. Now and every other day."
Sigurd just silently stared at his friend for a while before smiling. It was as though he finally realized something that was always obvious just now. "Thanks Quan. Truly."
"Like I said, don't sweat it."
Sigurd promptly detached himself from Quan's embrace, giving his friend one last look. He then turned around to look at me, as though he finally remembered that I had been there the whole time.
The sheepish smile on his face was a dead giveaway.
"So, I need to visit the infirmary for a bit. Do you mind coming there after you're done with everything here ?" His question made me tilt my head to one side in question as I was about to ask him what else I was supposed to do here. However, Quan anticipated as much and went ahead to clarify everything before the words even left my mouth.
"I was actually the one who asked to see you. There are a couple of things we need to talk about." My focus then turned to him as I was thinking about any possible reason why he would want to talk to me here of all places.
Sigurd took that as his cue that he was no longer needed and quickly proceeded to leave the premises, leaving me behind with Quan. The atmosphere suddenly became a lot more serious as his attention was solely placed on me. I could faintly sense the…apprehension? Distrust? Whatever it was, it wasn't something joyful.
"I heard from Sigurd that you're the reason why he was able to react so swiftly and save Yngvi. You've done well." His words struck me down like an arrow to my heart. Was he mocking me ? No. That look in his eyes told me that he was dead serious. So even after seeing all the carnage and destruction that those savages wrought upon this land, he still thinks this qualifies as a good thing ? Perhaps sensing my uneasiness, he tilted his head to one side and asked me with a quizzical expression. "Did I say something rude ? If so, then I apologize. That was not my intent."
I shook my head a bit too forcefully at his apology. "I wasn't offended by anything. It's just that I don't expect nor deserve any praise when we clearly failed in both objectives of our mission." I couldn't save Edain and I couldn't protect the town and its citizens from being attacked. "I said as much to Sigurd earlier…" There was no reason for them to praise or reward me. Or rather, I did not wish for them to do that.
"..." Quan was silently observing, as though he was deliberating on what to tell me. He walked towards me, then passed me and murmured as he was close. "Walk with me."
I did as he instructed, falling in steps behind him as he walked confidently between the castle walls. The soldiers that were lined up in the hall behind us had already dispersed, probably sensing that Quan would not be back in a while. I was honestly surprised at seeing them so readily follow the orders of one not of Chalphy. Maybe this had to do with the fact that he was married to their princess, and was thus, technically, brothers with Sigurd.
He didn't look behind even once during our walk as we slowly passed through familiar places that I had already visited in my stay in Yngvi. The kitchen was relatively fine, although the pantry showed signs of having been pillaged recently. Also, most of the staff I've seen before were already at work, preparing meals for both the wounded and those treating the wounded, and despite the fact that all of them were bandaged in one place or the other.
We walked through most of the castle without even noticing it. The armory was fine, as was the smithy and the stables. Surprisingly, even the library was unscathed. It seemed like the Verdanites didn't even try to come close to this fountain of knowledge. The librarian was the same as always, and she appeared very happy to see me again. For my part, I was simply happy to know that she was wounded at all. But I couldn't figure out why Quan was smiling as he observed us from the sideline in silence.
After that short stop at the library, we resumed our walk, and the general direction of the area where he was going made me think of either the infirmary or the training hall.
"Do you feel any different now ?" We'd been walking in silence for so long that I was a bit shocked when he suddenly started talking, so much that words spilled out of my mouth involuntarily.
"Wha-!?What do you mean ?" I did my best not to appear too flustered, but the look he was giving me told me that it didn't work. Why was he smiling like that ?
"I do not know your circumstances nor the reasons behind your actions so far. What I do know, however, is that YOU were the reason why most of the people you've seen up till now are still alive at the moment, and I am sure that they are all extremely grateful to you." He suddenly stopped walking and turned around to look at me with a smile so serene and peaceful that I even feared for a moment he was just faking it. "You need not torment yourself any longer about the things that were out of your control. As for Edain, we will do our utmost to save her as quickly as possible. With your help, I presume ?
His smile widened itself a bit more as his words forced me to hand my head as I faced the ground. Visions of Edain, of Dave and then of some of those that died during the attack, even though I knew them only for a short while, went through my mind as I quickly came to a decision. I couldn't let them down anymore.
"Yes." He was right. There was no need for me to lament myself when so much had to be done still. Edain can still be saved, and I have to believe that Dave too. "You can count on me." I looked at him with renewed vigor, and he smiled in response, visibly satisfied.
"Good." He happily slapped my shoulder, making me wince a little due to the strength behind his blow. "Let's go then."
I quickly followed behind him, sufficiently emboldened now to ask him a question. "Where are we headed to ?"
He smiled at me before answering. "The infirmary. Sigurd told you to meet him there right ?" I nodded my head, remembering his words from before. Although I was wondering why he was going there too. Did he have something else to discuss with Sigurd ? "There is someone there I have to see too." Ahh ?
"For the last time, brother, I said no." The strong, yet feminine voice, coming from the building in front of us told me all that I needed to know.
"Hah ! It seems they are at it again." I didn't know if the hastiness in his steps was because he was in a hurry to see the scene or because he was worried of what might happen inside. Probably the latter, based on how his voice croaked just a bit when he spoke.
Inside of the annex building of the infirmary, the place where the healers rest for a bit in between their work, only two people could be found. A lady sat with her arms crossed and a man standing with a downcast expression on his face. Sigurd's face seemed to gain some light and hope as he saw Quan approaching.
"Quan. How glad am I to see you. I was just discussing with Ethlyn if it was possible for Midir to be deployed during our rescue operation. I believe he'll be critical for its success." He pleaded his cause to his friend, trying to bring him to his side as quickly as he could. But the lady wasn't even the least bit surprised, nor was she impressed.
"And I believe I already gave you my opinion a number of times. I won't change my mind on it." Sensing the tension, Quan decided to play the mediator for his friend by talking to his wife.
It was not his brightest move of the day.
"Perhaps you should consider his feelings a bit, no ? I heard him saying he wants to rescue Edain himself." Despite the soothing tone with which he was talking to Ethlyn, it seemed it only irritated her even more.
"Get out of both of you. Now !" She shouted and angrily got up from her chair. Quan and Sigurd tried to object, but were cut off before they could even say anything by Ethlyn pushing the both of them from the back until they were completely out of the room and slapping the door behind them. She huffed a bit after that while mumbling various words like "can't believe them", "almost died" or "not on my watch".
She turned around with a final "Hmph !", making her way back towards the bed she was sitting on before finally noticing that I was still in the room.
" Who are you ? What are you doing here ?" I tried to answer her questions but she cut me off before I could even open my mouth. "Wait, I remember you. You're that mercenary we met on our way to Yngvi." Her eye immediately went to my left arm, and I then remembered that she was the one who treated it after I'd gotten injured.
"Thank you again for treating me that time. Thanks to you, I don't feel any pain at all." She smiled, something that resembled a smug smile and a reassured smile at the same time.
"Of course, I'm already used to healing those kinds of wounds. Don't hesitate to come to me again if you're ever wounded." I was once again glad for her presence here, considering the fact that she was also the one who spent the night treating Midir. She practically saved all our lives. "But that doesn't mean you have to charge ahead like a fool and get injured when you could've avoided it." Her patronizing tone, and the way her hands automatically went to her hips, made me think that she was already used to giving such warnings. And I had a feeling I knew who those warnings were directed to.
"I will endeavor to steer away from injuries my lady." I bowed a little at that and she sighed in relief as she finally plopped herself on the bed.
"I'm happy to hear that. My brother has a tendency to be reckless so I have to keep an eye on him, or… I worry." The expression on her face got a lot more somber as she spoke. Was Sigurd's case really this bad that his usually cheerful sister would be so downcast.
"I promise not to be too reckless then. And when possible, I will try to reign in Sigurd too." She immediately looked up at me, her once sad expression now gone.
"You better keep your promise, you know ? I'll be keeping an eye on you too." It seemed like she had regained a bit of her enthusiasm now, so of course I was more than happy to agree. She then suddenly clapped her hands, eager to change the subject. "We never even introduced ourselves, right ?"
I thought for a moment about our first meeting which was a bit rushed, and given the fact that I already knew who they were, it didn't even cross my mind even after all this time.
"You're right. I guess we were a bit too busy for that…" the image of the infirmary once again flashed through my mind before I quickly pushed it aside and refocused on the conversation. "My name is Ray. I am a Mercenary hailing from Isaach. I currently work for your brother."
She got up from her seat and held the hem on both sides of her dress as she curtsied. "I am Ethlyn, wife of Quan of the House of Leonster. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Her introduction was so prim and proper that I wondered If mine was perhaps lacking somehow. Or was this perhaps the way of doing of nobles ? But neither Sigurd nor Quan did any of that… Then again, they are probably not the greatest example of noble's etiquette.
"Likewise." Out of habit, I pushed my open palm towards her. It was only after she looked at it for a bit and started laughing that I finally realized. "My bad. I did that without thinking." But before I could fully retract my hand, she quickly snatched it in hers for a handshake.
"It's okay. I was just caught off guard." She laughed again and I wondered If what I did was really that funny. "Now that I get to look at you fully, I remember something some of the people in the infirmary were saying. That one of the soldiers was helping out in the infirmary and that he wasn't half-bad. They said he had black hair." My eyes immediately tried to look up at my hair in confirmation. "I wanted to thank you for that personally, since it was due to your help that some lives could be saved. But I must still admit that I'm surprised…"
"You are ?" I blinked once, then again, confused about what she just said.
"Yes." She nodded. "I didn't expect a swordsman to be so well versed in the healing arts. If I didn't hear the testimonies from others I could've sworn they were done by one of the caretakers." She's praising me too. Just like…
"...Just like your brother…" I mumbled that last part involuntarily, and I didn't intend for her to hear it. But unfortunately, she did.
"Just like my brother, am I? Well, when my mind is set on something, I won't back down. That's true. Which is why you should try and convince those two that it'll be too risky to let Midir do anything close to fighting for the moment. You yourself should know that as well since you took care of him while he was unconscious."
I looked at her in silence as my mind was going through her hands. It was indeed true that Midir's condition at the time was critical and it was a miracle that he managed to survive. As a reader, this type of thing could easily be discarded as trivial. But right here, right now, what I said could potentially change his fate.
"It is indeed the case." I started saying as I tried to find the perfect way to phrase my thoughts to Ethlyn. "His physical condition right now might be weak, but I also believe that his mental state should be taken into consideration." She silently looked at me, and I took that as a sign to press on. "I know Midir. He's a knight to the bone. He'll sooner let his wounds kill him than stay here and just rest when the person he's supposed to protect is in danger."
"So you're saying we should let him go even if it kills him ?" Her question was sharp, but warranted. After all, she was responsible for the lives of all the soldiers in the army.
It didn't take me long to find my answer. "No. I'm saying I will make sure he makes it back alive at all cost."
"Hmm…" She turned her head towards the ceiling in thought. After about five minutes of intense silence, she finally opened her mouth to sigh.
"Fine." The single word she uttered was enough to relieve me of all the tension I was unconsciously keeping on my shoulders. Midir was bound to participate in the upcoming battle anyway, it was part of the script, but I still couldn't help but be happy that she accepted to let him go. "I suppose I can trust, seeing as you were responsible for saving his life before too. I'll put him in charge of you, so make sure to bring him back alive."
"Yes ma'am." I quickly noticed the hidden meaning behind her words. 'Make sure to come back alive to both of you' is what she was trying to convey.
"Good. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go and check on my patients. And tell Midir that he has my permission to join you guys." As she got up from the bed, I extended my hand towards her in order to catch her attention. "Yes ?"
"May I accompany you ? I want to be the one to tell Midir the good news." She smiled at my request and patted my head. I wondered for a moment if she just did it out of habit because she suddenly stopped and pulled her hand away with an embarrassed look on her face.
"I don't see why not. Come on then." She stormed through the room as she led the way to the infirmary. I promptly got up from the bed adjacent to hers and wordlessly followed behind. This was already the third time today I was following someone somewhere, and the day wasn't even over yet.
It was a short walk. As the infirmary was just beyond one of the doors, Ethlyn made sure to inspect the condition of some of the patients on her way. That was the reason why it took us more than half an hour to reach the other side of the building where Midir was currently resting.
He was sleeping peacefully. His left shoulder and right arm were wrapped in bandages that were slightly stained red at the moment, but he was otherwise fine. I heard Ethlyn sighing rather loudly after she looked at him, maybe because of the blood on his bandages. In any case, it seems like the sound was loud enough to wake him up, and he did so slowly and with visible pain.
"Midir." I called out his name softly but firmly in an effort to focus his attention on me rather than on the pain he was most likely feeling after waking up for the first time.
"Princess…" Did he have a dream ? But looking at his face, it looked more like a nightmare. Even in this state he still calls out to her. Poor Midir.
"What are you doing !?" Ethlyn pressed down on Midir's body as he tried to stand up, probably with more force than she ought to have used on an injured person. He was even wincing. "You need to lie down for now. Any movement may end up opening your wounds unnecessarily."
"You do know that pressing on him in such a way might end up doing just that ?" She paused for a second, looking at me strangely before reply in a 'somewhat' confident tone.
"Don't worry, I'm a healer. I know what I'm doing. Haha…" Her mechanical laughter and the fact that his bandages were becoming more red by the second wasn't reassuring at all. Alas, there was nothing I could do in this situation but sigh.
"Lady Ethlyn said that she'll give you permission to join us when we rescue Edain." Midir perked up at that, and his expression seemed to brighten almost instantaneously.
"Really !?" He turned and looked at Ethlyn with eyes full of hope, so much more so than even her reluctant expression disappeared from her face.
"Yes, you can… BUT !" She shouted loudly enough that the others in the room turned to look at us strangely. Although Ethlyn didn't seem bothered by it. "Only if you recover enough until then. And you have to promise me not to overdo it."
"Yes. I will !" Tears were starting to form themselves at the edge of his eyes even though he was smiling so brightly. The sight of it all unexpectedly brought a small smile on my lips too.
"It's good news isn't it ? I know that with your help we will definitely be able to save her."
He wiped away the tears with his sleeve and tightened his first. "We will save the Princess. No matter what. And I want to take my revenge against that man too." With all that, I didn't even notice that Ethlyn had already left. She even managed to change the bloodstained bandages on his shoulder with clean ones. Talk about efficiency.
A small piece of paper and a cup filled with a green liquid was sitting on the table beside Midir's bed. The paper had a simple note from Ethlyn saying that she went to look for Finn and instructing Midir to drink what was in the cup. Tucking the piece of paper in my pocket, I handed the cup to Midir and told him it was his medication. He took the cup from my hand and drank the whole thing in one go and with no hesitation or grimace whatsoever.
After that we went on to discuss a couple of things, mainly about his current state and how he should be asking to take care of himself at the moment. I didn't want him to remember the past few days yet if possible. He needed to focus as much as possible on his recovery and not think about that stress and trauma.
He started to get sleepy an hour or so later, which prompted me to finally take my leave from the infirmary as I told him I'll be back soon. That and, well, there was something fishy in the air.
As I was returning to my room after my talk with Midir in an attempt to finally catch some sleep, the sound of someone knocking on a door just around the corner grabbed my attention.
"Come in." Identifying the owner of the voice as Sigurd made me pause for a second as I leaned against the wall of the room casually so as not to attract attention. It's not like I was trying to eavesdrop on his conversation or anything. I just felt that it was going to be somewhat important.
"Lord Sigurd!" I quickly identified the owner of the second voice as well. But why would Azelle try to meet Sigurd right now ? "Sorry for interrupting you when you must be busy Lord Sigurd. It's just that I wanted to have a chance to speak with you as soon as possible… I'm relieved to see you're unharmed from the last battle too."
"Azelle of Velthomer. I heard that you were a great help during the last battle from one of my knights, so I wanted to thank you personally. But before that… What are you doing all the way here?"
The room was silent for some time as Azelle seemed to think over what he had to say. Or maybe he was just plain nervous. Sigurd can be quite intimidating when he wants to, especially for someone as reserved as Azelle. "Umm, I'm actually here with Lex. We want to do whatever we can to fight the Verdanite invasion. Please, allow us to fight by your side. We won't let you down !"
As soon as he ended his speech, Sigurd's cheerful laugh flooded the room and easily reached outside. "Of course ! I couldn't ask for better help than. But what of your brother, Lord Arvis? Is he alright with you helping out?" Of course he isn't. Which elder sibling will be okay letting their little brother go to war.
"No… He's been tasked with command of the Royal Guard. He made it clear that I wasn't supposed to leave Belhalla at all…" And still, here you are.
"Did he, now ?" A laugh followed his words soon after, clearly indicating that the whole thing was actually funny in his eyes. "I can only imagine the scolding that you'll be in for later!" Well, I doubt they'll be seeing much of each other in the near future, so he might well be safe from that.
"I know this is a dreadful thing to say as he's my brother, but to be honest, I'm terrified of Arvis... Sometimes, when I'm around him, I... I feel as if I'm only a nuisance to him." Oh Azelle, if only you knew…
"Is that right... Well, whatever your reasons, I'm just glad that you're here, Azelle. You're more than welcome to stay for as long as you want." Things seemed to have gone as they had to… I should probably leave now.
"Thank you, sir!" Big steps followed Azelle words, then the sound of the door opening then closing itself. I got off from the wall and walked around the corner to see Azelle's back. "Wow, he's just like all the rumors say ! He's nothing like Arvis…"
"Rumors ? What rumors ?" I crept up behind him and whispered close to his ear. Whether it was the sound of my voice, or the air I sent out, or both, was clearly spooky enough to make him jump forward in shock while squealing like a scared squirrel.
"Iiiiick !?" His reaction was nearly enough to make me laugh, but I thankfully managed to rein the sound in. He turned around hastily and looked with eyes filled with a mixture of fear, confusion and…anger ? Oh my. Maybe I shouldn't have done that. "You…you're that man… You didn't have to scare me like that, you know."
"My apologies Lord Azelle, I didn't mean to frighten you so." I slightly bowed to him with my apology, as was mandatory. He seemed to hesitate over something from what his face was telling me. It was hard not to notice the way he was biting his lips or frowning every two seconds. "Is there something wrong?"
"No. It's nothing." He then sighed, somehow releasing all the tension in his body as he now looked at me with renewed focus. "I was just about to leave now. If you'll excuse me."He bowed and turned to move away, but my hand was faster as I grabbed hold of his shoulder. His expression was one of complete nervousness as he glanced back at me and I got reminded about his personality.
"Oops. My bad." I let go and walked a few steps ahead to once again face him. "But you didn't answer my question, and I am quite curious about those." Well, that was partly true anyway.
"Which question do you m--Oh !" He stopped midway as though he finally remembered what it was that I was talking about. "it's just…people at the capital that have been badmouthing him I suppose. Complaining about how much of a nuisance he is, or that he's an uncivilized brute unsuited for the life and prestige of high nobility. Of course, those that could actually say these things were few." It must be the Dukes of Thrud and Dozel. They're the only ones in the capital that fit both the criteria of "hating Chalphy" and "powerful enough to speak however they want".
"Hmm. Sounds like a bunch of dogs barking up the wrong tree." My musings were interrupted by the sound of Azelle suddenly laughing. I looked at him strangely, thinking back on what I said.
"I apologize." He said in between his fit. I really didn't expect him to be laughing this much. "It's just… You said the exact same thing as my brother. I didn't expect it." Me, saying the same thing as Arvis ? The thought was so baffling I didn't even know how to react. Or what to say. So we just stood there, me stunned silent and Azelle laughing. Even though I still don't know on what grounds it constitutes him laughing so much. Maybe there's a story to it. Should I perhaps ask him ? "I'm sorry. I have to excuse myself now."
All of a sudden ? Was he running away from me or something ? "Do you have something to do ?" Despite my asking, I didn't really expect him to answer. But surprisingly, he did.
"Yes. I promised to help Lex with a few things and so, I have to meet him now." Ah ,this explains that. These two really were such great friends. It reminded me of the relationship between Sigurd, Eldigan and Quan. Or what I have with Dave.
"..." I knew that it was of no use to wallow in regret and self-blame but still…
"Uhm, can I know your name ? Please ?" Oh, I never did tell him that, did I ?
'Come to think of it…' I've been doing introductions non stop these past few days. Granted, I've been meeting new faces one after the other but still, isn't this too much ?
"Sure. The name's Ray. You can just call me that." I said with a smile, extending my hand towards him.
His hand was incredibly warm in mine as I held it firmly. "My name is Azelle. Then again, you already knew that."
"Yes. Hahaha. Good luck with what you have to do. Oh ! And do convey my greetings to Lord Lex as well." He reciprocated my farewells and both of us went our separate ways then.
"Mister Ray ! Hey, Mister !" The high-pitched sound of a child's voice frantically calling out my name was not the way I thought I would be woken up today. Although, I didn't expect to fall asleep in the library either.
"Hmm ?" I got up groggily from the table, looking around in a dazed for a moment before my eyes fall on Oifey's brown hair. "Oifey ? What are you doing here ?"
He clears the books around me and neatly places them aside, taking special care of the one that was unfortunately pinned under me during my sleep. After he's done tidying the place up, he looks over his work in apparent satisfaction. I was on the verge of laughing out loud at the display, but thankfully managed to control myself.
He finally seemed to remember my presence in a jolt as he turned around to look at me shyly, the corners of his cheeks had reddened slightly.
"Oh ! I'm really sorry ! I didn't want to wake you up, but I really needed to use that book." He pointed to the one at the top of the pile and I saw that it was the one I had fallen asleep over.
"I admit, that wasn't my finest hour." I gently rubbed my face in order to get the last bits of sleep out of my system. I must have been really tired from falling asleep during my studying. Then again, I haven't been able to sleep one bit since yesterday, and my training program schedule managed to catch up with me. Maybe I'll need to modify it a bit, what will all the things that are now going to happen…
"Umm…"
"Hmm ?" Getting away from my thoughts, I glanced at Oifey with a curious look while tilting my head to the side. While was he feeling nervous anyway ? I couldn't tell. "Do you need something ?"
After a while, he seemed to have finally made up his mind as he sighed. "I actually wanted to ask you some questions…"
Oh. So another one who wants to know who I am and where I'm from. Not really unexpected now anyway, the day has been filled with nothing but that.
"Well, I am—" But before I could finish my sentence, I had an open book almost shoved into my face by Oifey.
"This here !" He pointed to a page of the book, specifically at the passage that was talking about troops positioning during wars. And despite the fact that he was stuttering a bit and that his finger was slightly trembling, his eyes held a resolve so strong I could've sworn they were burning from within.
I could only smile as I took the book from his hand and read through the part he was pointing to. I was silently going through the back, trying my best to comprehend its content as fully as I possibly could in as short a time as possible. In the hour that went by, I caught a glimpse of Oifey's movement from the corner of my eye as I was finishing my reading.
Another fifteen minutes later, I finally let down my book and took a look around. On the table near said book was a tray and on it was two teacups and a teapot, still hot judging by how steam was still coming out of it. There were also a few snacks on a plate, mostly biscuits.
I looked elsewhere and found the boy sitting on the chair on the far right seat from mine, his attention so focused on his task that he didn't notice that I was finally done. Admittedly, that took a bit more time than I thought it would, probably because it was also my first time going through so much in-depth material of troop positioning on such a large scale. Blushing a bit out of embarrassment, I coughed into my hand to attract his attention…
But he didn't hear it. So instead I decided to just call out to him. "Oifey ?" Still no response. "Oifey !" He jumped out in surprise, probably startled by my sudden shout. Thankfully, he neither dropped his book or himself onto the floor.
"Yes…?" His response was meek, his voice weak enough that I wouldn't have heard him if I was not focusing on him right now. Thankfully, he seemed to get his bearing back as his eyes went to the book I finally placed down. "Yes ? Are you finished ?" He almost slammed his book down as he got up from his chair in a hurry. I couldn't help the smile on my lips as I nodded to him.
He left his chair and walked towards me as though he was in a hurry, dragged the chair closest to me in order to be even closer before finally sitting down a few inches away. Chuckling once more at his endearing enthusiasm, I opened the book to the beginning of the topic and immediately started to explain it to him, breaking down its most complex parts into digestible components that Oifey could easily understand.
"See, there's one thing you have to absolutely keep in mind : The way you arrange your forces is an essential part in war, whether it be in a small battle, or in an all-out fight with tens of thousands of soldiers."
That was true. It was equally important for a strategist and a tactician. It could even be the thing that guarantees a victory in some cases.
"But before you think about how you're going to position your troops, there are a few things you have to take note of. Key information that will be invaluable before, during and sometimes after a fight. Things such as the size of both armies, the types of soldiers they're going to field, the terrain they're going to fight on…"
I mean, it'll be pretty stupid if you were to emphasize your footmen in an open field rather than cavalry that can make use of the space for repeated mounted charges, or archers that can send volleys after volleys without any "natural" obstructions.
"Also remember that it doesn't have to be fixed. Meaning, you can change the position of some of your forces even midway if the situation demands it."
For example, sending part of the rear units to reinforce the right side which is slightly getting demolished.
I continued my explanation for an entire hour, almost as much as the time it took me to fully comprehend it, before we finally placed down the book and Oifey was satisfied that he got everything, which was actually the reason why it was so long. I took my time making sure he was understanding each point I was making before progressing, emphasizing areas I thought could be crucial, while answering any question he could've had. All in all, getting it all done in only one hour was incredible in itself. But I guess this much was to be expected of Oifey.
"Look at the time. The tea must've gotten icy cold by now." I joked lightly, touching the outside of the pot to make my point as I mourned the loss of what was probably delicious tea.
Oifey jumped at my word, taking the teapot from the tray and bowing before me. "I'll immediately bring another one."
"It's fine." I stopped him before he could storm off, calmly taking a biscuit from the plate and munching on it. Oifey was looking towards me with a metaphorical question mark over his head. "You probably brought it for us to drink during our reading, but we were so engrossed by the book that there was not even any time to enjoy it. Which is fine. As long as you enjoyed the lesson and learned something from it then it's all good." He looked thoughtful for a second, as though he was mentally considering my words, before slowly placing the pot back on the tray."
"...Alright. Thank you for making some time to teach me !" He bowed towards me, his body bent at such an angle that I could effortlessly touch the back of his head from my sitting position if I wanted.
I stroked the top of his as I reassured him. "Come on now, there's no need for that. It was my pleasure, and a valuable learning experience for both of us."
Then, a text that I haven't seen in a long while made its appearance.
Congratulations ! You managed to become a little bit closer to Oifey.
'Huh ? I thought you weren't working yet. So what's this?'
As I continued happily stroking his head, the loud armored steps of a soldier were approaching towards us at a rapid pace. My body grew stiff as my muscles reflexively tensed themselves, getting ready to retaliate to any situation. Thankfully, the person approaching was one of Sigurd's knights.
"Ah ! Lord Oifey. Sir Ray. Thankfully, I finally found both of you." The entire relief, coupled with haggard respiration that came soon after, meant that he had been looking for us for quite some time.
"Is something wrong ?" Oifey poured the now cold tea in a cup and gave it to the soldier. In his current situation, anything would go as long as he could hydrate himself, even this.
Although this realization brought to mind multiple reasons for his frantic search of us, one of them was singularly resonating in my head during the entire discussion.
"We have…Our scouts brought back a report…" Is this it ? "There are hostile movements from Evan castle. They seem to be getting ready for an offensive."
{ Preview }
Next time in Fire Emblem : A perfect plan demands a perfect execution…
Oifey : I can fight too !
Sigurd : Oifey, no.
Oifey : But please !
Sigurd : I said no.
Oifey : HPFH !
Oifey then began to hold his breath with pout. Sigurd only looked at him as the seconds ticked by, unmoved, unswayed.
As the time ticked to the 60th second and Oifey's face was gradually changing color, it was Naoise who finally spoke to Sigurd on his behalf.
Alec : Milord… What if he were to ride with one of us ?
Sigurd : That's still a no. The last battle may have been an exception, but I do not fancy taking a child to the battlefield as a habit.
Naoise : But—
It was then that Oifey dropped face first to the ground. A quick check by a worried Naoise just confirmed that he was safe, just unconscious due to the lack of oxygen.
Sigurd : I guess that settles it then. Naoise, put him in his room, the rest of you move out.
I could only hope that poor Oifey wouldn't be too disgruntled once he woke up.
{ End Point }
A brief moment of respite after the first official battle…was what this chapter was supposed to be centered on, but I don't think Ray had any break at all, considering what happened in the temple/church and in the library.
Also, I only managed to do the introduction with around half of the new cast. As such, the rest of it will either be in chapter 8 or in chapter 9, or both !
There is…not much else to say about this chapter, I guess ? And I was never really good with after-notes. So I'm going to leave it at that.
See you next time ! Hopefully soon.