"On your feet, Finlay." Owain offered a hand to the gasping knight.
She took it with a nod, her eyes squinting against the afternoon sun as she swiped her short croped hair from her face. "Ye-yes, my lord. Please, one more bout before we rest." Owain frowned at the young knight.
His eyes flickered over the many volunteers around them. Too many fresh faces, not enough veterans. "One more bout. Focus on your breath, Finlay. There is no need to rush, the expedition is still months away."
As the woman readied her stance, Owain saw her gaze linger once more on Lady Malenia, too soft and warm for a knight that held only devotion in their heart. The empyrean sat watching silently alongside the main training yard. "I can not fail my lady! I must be ready for the trial ahead, Highlord!"
He hummed in thought, batting away the knight's laggardly blows. She was too drained to continue in earnest, he knew it was only her pride that kept her standing. In but a few more exchanges he held his wooden practice spear at her throat. "This new order will be ready, I have faith in you. The cleanrot knights will be a force unchallenged when at last you set forth." He pulled her once more to her feet. "Even the mightiest knight requires rest, Finlay. You do your lady no good by exhausting yourself."
Finlay saluted, head down. "Yes, lord! Thank you for your continued instruction!"
"You will be she who protects those which I hold dear, Knight Finlay. It is my own selfishness that pushes you so hard." Owain bellowed out a command to retire, he'd pushed the trainees enough today.
Malenia's own efforts in the arts of war had inspired a generation of young women to take up the knighthood. It made Owain quite proud. It was a shame that Dame Finlay had no desire to pursue sentinelship, he had long waited for a woman to seek to join the ranks of the golden rampart.
The training yard cleared quickly, Owain was replacing his practice spear when the most precocious of his charges approached him. "Wain, do you not think you are straining them too hard?" He turned, noting the odd fidgeting of his lady's fingers, the way her face flushed as her eyes lingered on the dame's fading back.
"The shadow of my shield will not reach the land of your new tree, my lady. Allow me the overbearance of ensuring your new protectors are up to my mark." He smiled at her pout.
"Must you be so harsh with he-with them?" Lady Malenia fiddled with the new arm her brother had made for her.
The sentinel held back a sigh, he'd known she would approach him with this eventually, Lady Malenia was hardly subtle with her affection towards knight Finlay. As a knight that loved his queen, albeit in a different fashion, he was no stranger to the conflict of love and duty. His lady and her rising commander would face hardships with their courtship. He cast his eyes about, ensuring they were yet alone. "My lady, I know it is difficult to see her struggle so, but it is for your honor and safety that she trains so diligently. Coddling will only disservice her and endanger you."
The princess sighed, "My mind knows that you speak truly, but my heart yet wars in my chest."
In a rare breach of decorum, Owain opened his arms, smiling when his lady rushed into his embrace. He would miss the twins quite dearly when they departed. "Love is not always easy, Malenia. For now, you must have faith that she will rise to my challenge. Just as I have faith that she will protect you and your lord brother when I can not."
She mumbled into his shoulder. "Why do you make it seem so very easy, Wain?" Lady Malenia pulled back from him, her lone remaining eye shadowed by her furrowed brows. "It is so difficult to quiet my anxiety."
He smiled; she was almost a woman grown now, but her youth still made itself known in the most endearing of ways. "Faith, sweet princess. Faith in these knights that we forge, and in the skill we forge in them."
Malenia's face was replaced by Ranni's. She and mother both were looking down at him in shock. What had happened? What was this feeling of freezing cold in his chest? Why had his mind seen fit to show him that memory? "Ranni?" He said hesitantly.
"O-Owain…thine eyes." She rushed to her mother's dresser to snatch up a small hand mirror.
When Owain saw what had caused both queen and princess such panic, he began to laugh. The sentinel attempted to conjure a small bit of his magic, but the holy light only flickered softly in his hand before dying out completely. Ah, nothing was ever simple, was it?
His laugh renwed. "It seems my crisis of faith has finally borne consequences."
"How canst thou laugh, Owain! Thine magic, thy grace hast been stolen from thee!" Ranni heaved him to a stand. Mother Rennala had yet to say a word still only watching him sadly with hands clasped over her mouth.
"Let not this…occurrence spoil the day. F-fear not the loss of my magic. It will not impede our cause." He straightened his stance, hoping to project strength to his family. Great tree, this chill was dreadful. "We have completed the first step of many! Tonight should be a night of celebration, not mourning. I'll have the staff prepare a grand feast in the coming days, that all our peoples may share in this joy."
Ranni lay trembling fingers upon his chest. "Wain,-"
He brought a hand over hers. "Feel my heart, beloved. I live, you live. Dare not despair." He hoped they did not notice the tightness of his voice, or the clench of his jaw. "Mother, please cast an illusion on my eyes. Give them their former light. Our people, my troops especially, can not see that grace has left me." Owain smiled at his princess, trying to still his shaking hands, trying desperately not to allow his teeth to chatter from this inescapable cold. He was loathe to let their day of triumph be stained by the pettiness of the Dark Moon.
Shaking hands cupped his cheeks. "Thou'rt-" Ranni's voice hitched in a sob. "Thou'rt a poor actor, Owain!"
"Ranni," Came Rennala's soft voice. "He is right, we should be yet grateful that the Dark Moon did not take more." She waved a hand over his eyes and though he could not see it, Owain was sure it was an illusion spell of the highest quality.
"Grateful? Mother, my husband has been-" The queen's eyes flashed in warning. Truly, she was recovering more of her former self each day.
"And mine son, daughter. Go now, both of thee. I will research how to revert this curse." She flicked a wrist and the doors to her chamber flew open, a surprised Tricia and the ever stoic Lord Moongrum lay in wait, a gaggle of servants behind them.
Ranni wiped angrily at her tears. "Mother!"
"Now, Ranni." The anger of the Queen of Caria was not something one wished to treat lightly, a fact Owain knew all too well.
"By your leave, mother. We shall retire." Ranni looked as if she wished to continue her protestations, but Owain had not the fortitude to keep up his facade of calm for much longer. He swept the princess off her feet, nodding to mother and striding by Lord Moongrum and Tricia with a strained smile. The queen gave rapid fire commands to Lord Moongrum and the handmaidens that lingered in the hall, but Owain did not wait to hear them, it seemed every step he took was more difficult than the last.
They were nearing their quarters when Ranni at last broke her silence, pale hands gripping his tightly. "Wain."
"When-" Was he out of breath? Him? "When we are alone, Starlight." He whispered softly.
She did not respond but he felt the intensity of her stare.
The door to their rooms shut with a heavy click, Owain laying Ranni gently down on their bed; her eyes burning into him all the while. "Owain."
"Ranni." If he met her gaze, she would unmake him. Whatever the Dark Moon had done to him was sapping his strength far too quickly.
A velvet palm caught him before he could turn away. "We will work to reverse this, there must be a way."
He sank heavily onto the bedside, dropping his face into strangely aching hands. "I do not know if it was entirely the Dark Moon's doing. I lost faith in The Golden Order long ago." Ranni's tender fingers made soothing motions across his back.
"Thou needst thy magic! What if something were to happen to thee?" He could hear the vehemence in her voice, but still he could not bear to confront her questioning eyes. Could she not feel this fel chill?
This damnable frost, it stole his wits, it was so very difficult to concentrate. "I-I'll recall Oswald to my side, let Wolfram handle Stormveil, or p-perhaps Aldo if I can yet find him."
Her hand stopped its gentle ministrations. "What dost thou yet hide from me, Sunbeam?"
"Today is a day of celebration." He muttered to the floor.
"Owain!" Ah, she was angry now, but the heat of it was a distant thing.
It'd gotten worse since he first retook his form; sleep called for him though he knew it was hardly noon. "This c-cold. It is overwhelming."
"Cold? Oh, Wain thou'rt a fool for not informin' me sooner! Get thee to mine side! This instant , sentinel." Why was she so afeard? She began yanking off his clothes, tossing them carelessly away.
As he at last turned to regard her fully, he saw she had bared herself as well; he tried to muster up at least a little levity. "As you w-wish, my lady." His chattering teeth did little to aid the tension. The sight of her did not stir him as it should have. Some distant part of him knew something was terribly wrong.
"Enough, jokes, Sunbeam. I must shake this magic from thee afore it is thine death! Come, share my warmth, my love, and mine vigor." She pulled him to her, half in yearning, half in frantic desperation.
Ranni climbed atop him, straddling his hips. Why was he not matching her passion? Why had the world become so dull so very quickly? His breaths were slowing in his lungs now, but he thought perhaps that was alright; after all he was so very tired.
"A moment's…respite…darling." His lids were heavy, his head, his limbs, all so…heavy.
"Damnit, Owain!" She struck his cheek forcefully and he blinked slowly in surprise. "Please, mine knight; my heart, my very soul! Please, stay with me." She cried out.
The touch of her lips to his was a small spark to his senses. This was good, it was warm, it was right. He returned it with soft fervor. "Ranni." He mumbled into their clashing kiss.
"That's right, to me, my dear. Away from the dark, away from the cold." She heaved his arm up, planting a palm to her breast. "Feel mine restored heart. It beats for thee, my noble lord!" His hand was warming, the cold retreating achingly slow; he flexed his fingers gently against her supple flesh.
The princess strained to bring his other hand to cup her hip. It began to fall but something in him halted its movement. The soft warmth of her skin was so soothing. Faint yearning flared in his core. Distant anger edged ever closer. Why did he not burn with passion? Why was he being so pathetically lackluster? This was his hearted-half, his beloved princess. She yet struggled so desperately for him! "St-starlight." He stammered.
Ranni palmed away her tears swiftly, before sinking her fingers into the hair at his nape. Her dark eyes astorm, she brought her brow to his; they were just as breathtaking as he remembered. "Yes, mine Sunbeam; my guiding light! Dare not leave me, I'll not forgive thee a second time." A half smile formed on his mouth; how like her to command him about. She kissed him forcefully, their teeth clicking together. He tasted iron on his tongue, had she bit his lip? That- that brat!
Owain could see the surface of this haze, he could feel again; he need only breathe! Fie! Away with this accursed cold! His hands gripped her with greater strength, felt the sweat of their conjoined skin, felt the frantic beat of her pulse through her breast. His princess! His wife! His reason for living! He pushed her face from his gently, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Ra-R-Ranni!" He dragged in a great breath, fire filling his stomach. His hand slid around her hip to cup her plump rear, bringing her closer to him. The familiarity of her, the oft held heat, it roused his further.
Ranni disregarded her tears, their impact on his face only waking him further from his stupor. "Aye, foolish man of mine."
Her smile, though watery and trembling, dashed away the last remnants of his bewitchment. All at once he was again himself, all at once he was a man in bed with his beloved after a very, very long time. Warmth washed over him; the sear of her atop him, the fire of her skin, the ghost of her breath.
He smiled, for his princess had just saved him, he was sure of it. She'd outwitted not just one god, but two. "I am returned, Starlight. The Dark Moon's hold is a paltry power to my devotion for you. You are beyond exceptional." He laughed breathlessly, he lived!
A delicate fist thumped into his chest. "Thou'rt a fool, for scaring me so."
What madness had taken him that this vision of loveliness, restored in body, was before him and he had yet to taste her anew? "Forgive me." His smile grew slowly.
She blushed prettily but smiled back at him despite herself. "The Dark Moon will yet face my wrath for this underhandedness."
"Hold back your wrath, fearsome one, I've need of your full attention." She giggled brightly as he rolled them so that their positions were reversed. "Enough tears, let us forget our troubles for a while, my brightest star." He would mourn, he would process later.
Today was a day of celebration.
When at last the pair ventured forth from their chambers, the new dawn had long passed them by. Though most of him wished only to bask in Ranni's presence until he'd regained every moment they'd had stolen from them, a smaller part recognized that they were both creatures of duty and industry. Ranni bade him farewell with a feathersoft kiss and worried eyes before she made for the library to confer with Mother and the dragon sisters. Owain went to his study to reluctantly work through the paperwork he'd let pile up over the last few days. The constant thoughts of his lost grace was ever at the edge of his mind, but he tried valiantly to distract himself.
He opened his door to a welcome surprise; Lady Nepheli Loux, currently being served tea by Carian Knight Tanya, awaited him. She was sat at the small table and lounging couches he'd requisitioned for Ranni for when she wished to read while he worked. Both warriors stood to greet him as he entered. "Greetings, Lord Sentinel. Thank you for welcoming me into your manor. It is quite beautiful, the rumors of its restoration have not done it proper justice."
Owain bowed low. A daughter of his lord Godfrey was due his full respect, even if he did not currently serve her. "You honor me with your compliments and your presence, my lady." As he made his way to the seat across from the two women, he bade them sit as well.
Lady Nepheli's brow furrowed for a moment before she nodded to herself. "To cut to the quick of it, Owain, I have fully considered your offer of lordship." He'd assumed as much by her visit, he nodded for her to continue. "I did not think myself worthy of such a position until I had worked to forge some sort of peace in these lands myself."
Owain thanked knight Tanya as she silently handed him his own teacup. "And have you forged this peace you sought, my lady?"
She nodded resolutely. "Yes, my friend. I am sure news of it has not yet reached your ears, but I retook Castle Mourne in the name of the veiled monarch."
"That is a mighty undertaking, my lady, and a grand boon to me as well. I had ordered my sentinels to leave it be until I could make my way south myself, you have saved me a journey of many weeks. I imagine the task was not too difficult for one of your skill."
Lady Nephelli contemplated the steam of her tea for a moment before answering. "Since our talk, I pondered the type of lord I wished to be. I have researched my father, remembered much of him as well; he was just and noble, but he was not kind."
Few would dare to speak of Lord Godfrey so frankly in his presence, but Owain could hardly gainsay the man's own daughter. "Aye, my lady. You have the right of it."
She smiled, but it was tinged with the sadness of days lost. "I wish to be known as a woman of kindness, of mercy and righteousness. It would be a dark portend of my lordship should its start be so soaked in the blood of the downtrodden. I regained the castle through words alone, negotiating a peace with the rebelling servants and the former commander; a man appointed by Godrick by the name of Edgar. He and his daughter journey north with a few of your sentinels as we speak."
Any man appointed by grafted mongrel was not one to whom Owain would grant any sort of trust. His lady exemplified the rule he too wished to enact, he stood and offered out a hand. "I am quite impressed and grateful as well. You are a shining example of the peace I seek."
She clasped his forearm with a grin. "We shall build a brighter future, Owain."
He smiled as well. "I shall call for my king, that he may anoint you to your seat himself. Not since my lord Godwyn has a master of Stormveil been properly placed. I look forward to it eagerly."
Owain kept his somber mood from his face. With the securing of Castle Mourne the only land south of the capitol he'd yet to claim was Caelid, and that meant he must finally see to Lord Radahn. A task that now seemed insurmountable with the loss of his magic and his grace. As he settled Lady Nepheli into her own chambers within the manor, the thought that this coming campaign would bring nothing but grief would not leave his mind.