Interlude ~Base Convos Part 27~
"So that kid has been in this country of dragons in another world?" Hector attempted to clarify while peering at the scrying crystal. "And she was a dragon all this time from within your desert village community that Nergal and you once helped build!?"
As everyone returned to Ostia, the meeting room was occupied by the Lycian lords, Athos, and Ike. Strangely enough, Uther was not present, as he was reported attending a conference in Etruria.
Athos revealed the matter of Arcadia, Nergal, and Fae being a dragon to the trio of Lycian lords. Lyn was not so surprised by the matter, having already heard it from Ike. Eliwood and Hector found the entire story to be incredulous. It was only until they saw what was happening in the scrying crystal that they believed every word from Athos and Ike.
Through Fae's perspective, dragon laguz transformed to perform labor at times, all of them with very distinct ears, and watching a dragon prince and his attendants tending to the needs of a young woman with white hair. She was said to be the leader of the dragons sealed away in legend. However, that made things all the more worrisome as her seal was released.
The source of the seal being released was currently covering his face brooding over the matter while Lyn looked at him with concern. Ike was still very distraught over Fae being transported to Tellius. Had she been transferred elsewhere besides Goldoa or non-laguz countries, it would have been risky.
"Athos..." Ike called out with tension in his voice. "Why didn't you tell me earlier about what happened to Fae? It's one thing for us to stay focused, but another to withhold the truth that I could be endangering others. I released the leader dragon who you and many others fought a millennia ago, and I don't even know if she may still be an enemy to the rest of us!"
Ike learned the story of how this dark dragon supposedly played the biggest part in the Scouring. While she looked demure and harmless, they didn't know if there were any grudges between humans and dragons if she was involved. He didn't want her to be excluded or treated differently if she had good human/beorc relations (not that he knew Fae told everyone of her human friends). He knew grudges wouldn't go away easily, especially against humanity who sealed her away for a thousand years.
While Ike knew Goldoa was isolationist in policy, if this dragon was proactive in being against humans/beorc, Fae could be involved in a conflict by the time he has to arrive in Goldoa. He didn't want to cause her or anyone harm back in Tellius because of himself.
"Not only that, Hawkeye was worried about Fae. Now that worry is warranted along with the rest of your village inhabitants who are worried for her while I'm the one responsible for causing her to disappear!" Ike exclaimed in a frustrated manner. He then pointed to himself and continued: "I have to address this matter to them and fix this mess!"
"Ike..." Lyn voiced out in a concerned tone. "You didn't know, no one could have predicted whatever brought you here would have caused Fae to be sent to Tellius."
The active spell formula somehow resonated with the Warp spell Athos cast to send the Lycian army and Greil Mercenaries to Pherae. During the casting, Fae with her longing desire for the outside world ended up being sent to Tellius in the country of Goldoa. An unforeseen sequence of events as Athos explained. However, Ike shook his head.
"I'm the one who brought her out of that house, my existence here caused her to be sent to Tellius. Her family and friends are probably worried sick about her, I've already risked her safety more than enough," Ike responded with a guilty tone. "By the time we both reach Tellius and I reunite with my family, I need to set a course for Goldoa."
Athos wanted to remark that Fae's family was no longer living, but it wasn't the time to interject. Ike was already planning out what to do based on how he cupped his chin. Lyn sighed and nodded, realizing Ike wasn't going to budge on taking responsibility.
Meanwhile, Hector and Eliwood marveled at watching the scrying crystal as Fae enjoyed herself. The next moment, their eyes widened at seeing some birds transform into a human-like state with wings. It seems they were acquainted with Fae and brought some berries for her to partake.
"Fascinating..." Eliwood murmured to himself.
"Hey Ike," Hector called out, bringing the pair's attention to him. "You mentioned bird people, I think Fae's meeting them."
Ike and Lyn came close and looked at the scene within the crystal. There were indeed several bird laguz meeting with Fae. Among the four, one stood out with white wings and a beautiful countenance. At the very least, they seemed friendly to Fae. Lyn watched with amazement as Fae partook berries while the bird-tribe laguz enjoyed watching her eat.
"Those must be hawk laguz, the ones with black wings tend to be raven laguz. But..." Ike trailed off as he focused closely on the one with blonde hair and white wings. "Isn't this...?"
Athos nodded while stroking his beard. "Yes, I believe his name is Reyson, a heron laguz, and the strongest-looking hawk is Tibarn. Tibarn is the King of Phoenicis while Reyson is the Prince of Serenes. The elders and I learned their names after Fae spoke with the King of Goldoa, Dheginsea."
She had forgotten to learn their names upon meeting the royal laguz. Dheginsea was kind enough to tell her who they were. Needless to say, Fae personally met and interacted with many noble and royal laguz compared to most people in Tellius.
Ike wondered about heron laguz for a moment before focusing on what was important to the topic at hand.
"That reminds me..." Ike spoke up bringing everyone's attention to him. "When I come back, I might need to meet King Caineghis to gain passage to Goldoa. Goldoa rarely allows visitors, especially beorc or humans. They're pretty isolationist, and I might need to gain permission through Gallia if I want to reach Fae..."
Sailing to Goldoa through the sea might earn the ire of the dragons without proper channels. If it was a higher-ranking laguz noble or royalty, it might be faster.
"Indeed you should," Athos responded solemnly. It was as though a warning was given to Ike. "Fae... is a bad narrator given that she is still a child. The way she described you at first is... somewhat like a human trafficker in league with pirates."
It was then Ike became stunned and realized how Dart and himself could be implied to have kidnapped her. Not the best impression to give to a laguz country wary of beorc entering their domain...
The scene soon changed to see Fae bringing some berries to the leader dragon in her quarters. It took her some time before she finally accepted some berries. She didn't seem like a figure that threatened humanity.
"What about this supposed... Demon Dragon? Who exactly is she other than the supposed leader of the dragons from the Scouring?" Ike inquired from Athos, the trio also followed suit with their attention focused on the living legend.
Athos took a moment to contemplate before he nodded. It was time to share the true tale of the Demon Dragon.
"Long before Arcadia was founded, the Divine Dragons were approached by their brethren to create the War Dragons, whose purpose is war and they were born not through mating, but through life similar to what Nergal has created. In fact, the creation of morphs is based on these dragons. The one who can create them, is the Demon Dragon, Idunn," Athos explained to the mercenary leader and Lycian lords. Their faces pale at the mention of War Dragons and morphs being related in origin. "They were made to counter humanity for our numbers, as we soon found out the source of them all... Thus, we made our divine weapons, the Legendary Weapons of Elibe. Little did we know... the consequences for doing so..."
Eliwood stepped up with clarity in his eyes. "The Ending Winter... they always said dragons were the cause. But based on the context from within the shrine, that was the real reason why Bramimond refused to allow the weapons to be allowed back into the world."
Athos nodded at Eliwood's correct conclusion, making Ike and the others surprised by the answer. The Ending Winter was said to be of great consequence, which is why all the heroes agreed to seal away the weapons to prevent such a disaster from repeating.
"Indeed... the clash of our weapons and the dragons caused the Ending Winter. While the dragons were greatly weakened by the event and were forced to take human form, we made one final advance to the temple where the dragons made their lair, trying to find the source of the war dragons, only to find a lone girl staring off into the distance..." Athos recalled while stroking his beard. Everyone peered at the figure within the crystal, who was visibly eating berries with slight gusto. "We pitied the girl, who was soulless after her brethren deprived her of her soul and corrupted her into becoming the greatest source of dragons against humanity."
In the end, dragons were desperate to fight for the right to live. They chose a single girl who hesitated in escaping so that there wouldn't be a conflict between the Divine Dragons and their brethren. That hesitation worked against her and they deprived her of her soul to follow commands.
Such an atrocity, would humanity have done a similar task? No, there's no doubt if such an opportunity arose, the rest of humanity could have easily made such sacrifices to preserve themselves. The Scouring was a dark time. It was a good thing that the Eight Legends were not the rest of humanity when one opportunity presented itself...
"That's... That's horrible..." Lyn voiced out.
"Why do that to a kid of their own kind?" Hector asked with an apprehensive expression. "There had to be some divine dragons like you said who would take the mantle to help their own, right? Why would they go so far as to remove her free will to make her into some... puppet?"
Eliwood and Ike were appalled, but they remained patient in listening to the tale. Hearing first-hand accounts was helpful, especially from a sage whose perspective was open-minded.
Nergal was one thing, but for dragons to do so to their kin...
It was then that Athos shook his head, horrifying the group. "The Divine Dragons refused when their brethren pleaded to them, citing that creating a Demon Dragon to spawn War Dragons would defy the laws of nature. That outcome did come to be our weapons clashed with them. Thus, the Ending Winter was the responsibility of all parties."
Athos recalled what the Divine Dragons had confessed to him. It only took centuries to gain a better perspective of events. Which made Athos all the more certain that Hartmut was correct in sparing the girl. Especially as of recent events being able to see the individual slowly regain herself.
"The Divine Dragons in Arcadia wanted nothing to do with their brethren who sought them out. But one remained... or rather, captured..." Athos uttered with a tinge of regret in his tone.
"Then this girl..." Eliwood turned to the figure within the crystal as he spoke. "She was captured and forced to do her kind's bidding?"
Athos nodded and continued: "After the leader of the dragons who converted her, died, she was no longer controlled. But my compatriots and I, we originally sought to finish the battle once and for all."
Obviously, they didn't because she was still alive. Arguably for the better. It was not her fault that her kind forced her to fight humanity.
"But you didn't, Graybeard," Hector remarked. He took a step closer with an expectant tone. "You got a change of heart at the time?"
Everyone looked at Athos, hoping to gain an answer from the one who experienced the Scouring. They would assume he had mercy for the poor girl.
It was then Athos inhaled and shook his head, surprising the group.
"I was resolved to kill the girl along with my comrades..." Athos confessed, causing the group's eyes to widen from his response. "But Hartmut convinced us all to spare her. Only after many years that I realize his decision was correct..."
Hartmut, the founder of Bern. By the logic of creating the Shrine of Seals and creating the nation, Bramimond and the royal family protecting the shrine would likely be the ones to maintain whatever was meant to seal the Demon Dragon away. One of the key items based on context clues was the Fire Emblem.
"Then," Everyone's attention went to Lyn, who spoke up. "The seal that Ike touched, that was the thing that sealed her?" To which Athos nodded in confirmation.
"Yes, along with the greatest weapon of all, the Binding Blade, it sealed her with the nation of Bern built to maintain the seal to this day..."
Athos's revelation made Ike rub his forehead and breathe deeply. Everyone saw Ike's state and knew the implications of what he may have inadvertently caused. Granted, he was not responsible, it was the spell formula that Nergal made that was arguably "contagious" if one had to describe it. No one knew the full extent of the spell's capabilities.
Then again, Ike hoped to avoid resealing the girl away. She seemed too innocent in this entire matter.
"And I unknowingly broke the seal... by touching one of the artifacts..." Ike sighed as he muttered. He then faced the Lycian lords with a remorseful look. "I don't what I may have caused, but I'm sorry for wasting the efforts of your forefathers. Still, I'll make sure there won't be issues, especially making sure Bern doesn't find out. Her soul came back because of Yune, so no more mindless obeying of orders and fighting others, right?"
Yune supposedly gave back the soul of the dragon. She was no longer a puppet and therefore not a complete danger to humanity. What Ike hoped was that everyone would look the other way despite the great efforts made by Athos and their ancestors.
It was then that Hector and Eliwood looked puzzled by Ike's statement. They looked at one another before bursting out in laughter with even Athos chuckling to himself. Lyn was seen giggling at Ike, causing the young mercenary commander to become dumbfounded.
It seems as though they didn't care that the Demon Dragon was released. Athos was not as concerned considering it was also one of his efforts that was wasted as well.
"Ha ha ha! If you're not going to hurt a lass after releasing her, what's the point of apologizing? I saw nothing and heard nothing, right Eliwood?" Hector called out to his best friend. Eliwood also laughed and added: "Indeed, I don't sense any danger emanating from Fae or this girl, so why bother? I don't quite see anyone or anything threatening whatsoever..."
Eliwood smiled at the scene played out within the crystal, seeing two girls enjoying a snack. There was no need for conflict against innocent people. It would go against his principles.
"It's been a thousand years, and this girl has been imprisoned for long enough for reasons out of her hands..." Eliwood then looked at Athos who had recomposed himself. "She's gained her soul thanks to Ike's guardian spirit. Is that not right, Lord Athos?"
Despite possessing a long beard, Athos's lip turned upward. He nodded sagaciously while stroking his beard.
The small progress she's made from being an unresponsive girl to one who can receive kindness from Fae and fellow dragons was remarkable. Even after the cruelty she experienced from both human and dragonkind.
"Years after we sealed her away, Nergal and I met the Divine Dragons within Nabata. After we founded Arcadia, I found out who that girl was through one of the elders..." Athos lamented as he remembered the regret both he and the elders felt in the past. "They all knew she was captured, but they feared the other dragons would put them in danger if they attempted to rescue her. Even now, they hold regret for abandoning her a millennia ago..."
The Divine Dragons knew what happened to the girl and had forsaken her. As of recent events, the elders of Arcadia felt remorse for being reminded of their inaction which led to the Scouring worsening and the Divine Weapons being built.
Athos looked into Ike's cerulean eyes and spoke: "If she wishes to stay where she is, she is free to do so. But I will put forth a request with you, Ike of the Greil Mercenaries. To invite Idunn, the former Divine Dragon, back to Elibe and escort her to Nabata one day with Fae. There's much to make amends, and I hope she is present to have them addressed to her. Now that she's regained her soul, the Divine Dragons would appreciate being able to meet her."
A rather heavy mission to be granted. One of the greatest enemies to humanity to be escorted back to Elibe... Not only that, convincing the country of Goldoa to permit her to return to her place of origin would be a rather difficult endeavor.
Hector, Lyn, and Eliwood looked at Ike with expectant eyes. This would be an important task that would require Ike to obtain a lot of trust from laguz and dragons. One wrong move and it could bring forth a cascade of troubles.
Ike pondered for a moment before nodding. To make up for Fae being involved and among many other issues, he would do his best. Athos nodded approvingly at Ike's acceptance.
"We will discuss further matters another time, but first," Athos turned to the door and called out: "Come forth, Child of Destiny, Nils. If you may, please enter and speak your fill."
Ike and the others were surprised to hear Nils was behind the door. He was eavesdropping on them... This brought another question, where were the guards? They would have announced Nils at any point if he wished to join.
It was then Hector gave a glare to Athos, realizing he may have driven them away or done some strange magic to place Nils outside undetected. Athos made no response to Hector, as he was indeed responsible for allowing Nils to listen from beyond the door.
Nils opened the door, with a concerned expression on his face. He peered at everyone present and looked flabbergasted if anything. The group saw his apprehension towards all of them, including Athos.
"Do you not fear dragons?" Nils asked everyone. He turned to Athos with a puzzled look. "You were the one who fought against dragonkind ages ago. And you wish to seek amends by promoting relations with the one you locked away? Even if her kind did such a thing to her, you all were the ones who drove dragons to become desperate. Why would you of all people, the man who helped drive out dragons from Elibe, be the one to promote coexistence with dragons once more?"
Tears filled Nils's eyes as he spoke, with Hector and Eliwood's eyes widening in realization of what he was implying. Ike and Lyn looked at Nils with genuine concern while Athos remained with a patient expression.
"Like the one who also came through the Gate, all he wanted was to see home... Just like us. Why would you regard any of us as harmless after what you've done? Or what we've done? Is there some sort of irony or just hypocrisy on your part?" Nils's tone was filled with a sense of hostility against the group as he spoke. "Why would you promote such things as friendship or amends with such differences between our species? What gives you such an idea to begin interacting with us in such a manner after everything we've done to each other since the Scouring? What makes you think we all should be forgiven or forget for what our predecessors have done in the past?"
Ike and Lyn's eyes flickered at the mention of predecessors. It wasn't just Nils lashing out at the Eight Legends. He was also referring to his father, the man who wronged them for reasons he had forgotten long ago...
To Nils, everyone was guilty and could not coexist with one another whether it be the blood of those whose actions persist to this day or their parent. Like the Lycian lords who are descended from Roland to the ones whose present actions are so deplorable like Nergal. Legacy plays a huge part in making Nils frustrated with everything that has happened thus far.
"Nils..." Eliwood uttered as he took a step forward. But Nils stepped back, with fear in his eyes, causing Eliwood to freeze up seeing his resistance. Ike stepped forward to reassure him.
"Nils, I-"
"Silence!" Nils cut off Ike's words with harsh rebuke. "You are as guilty as Athos! You've endangered and killed my kind! You can't even protect my sister! Your promises are worthless to me, human!"
With his outburst, he ran off in another direction, leaving a stunned Ike and the rest of the group to witness the sorrow of a younger brother. With Ninian kidnapped, it only got up to a certain point before Nils finally snapped at Ike.
Nils's rant left everyone speechless, with Lyn looking at Ike and the direction Nils went with great concern. Hector looked at Athos, whose expression had not changed since Nils was revealed.
"Ninian... she was a dragon all along...? That was her secret all along...?" Eliwood muttered as he reflected on past events.
"Oi, Graybeard. You knew?" Hector called out to Athos, but he remained unresponsive.
"I will go off to inform Hawkeye and Pent..." Athos announced as he teleported out of the meeting room with his scrying crystal, making Hector click his tongue.
Hector didn't mind about the siblings being dragons, far from it. Knowing that their friends were dragons helped them understand what Nergal's plan of action was. All the more reason to protect their friends regardless of who they were.
"Lyn..." Ike called out bringing Lyn's attention. "Tell them about who they are... I'm going to find Nils..."
Lyn took a moment to contemplate Ike's request and nodded. She smiled and responded: "Of course, take your time, Ike..."
Ike ran in the direction where Nils went, leaving a distraught Eliwood and Hector in the room with Lyn. The pair of friends looked at Lyn, who held a resolute expression. Eliwood deserved to know that much when it came to his father and their father...
Nils stood from a balcony, watching the stars in the sky. He heard footsteps from behind him but did not turn. He knew who it was.
"I remember the days when the stars showed in the sky while the sun was up and winter came during summer," Nils recalled with a vacant expression on his face. "Father feared what would happen to us and Mother during what they called the Ending Winter. I still remember Father shivering while we were unaffected by the cold. The air of this world became worse and we could no longer preserve our draconic forms. But Father saw it as a blessing, as it gave him more time to spend with us... at least until Mother was found out..."
Ike remained silent to Nils's recollection. He knew how painful it was for the siblings to witness their father's madness.
The supposed magical energy of the world became imbalanced and sapped away during the Scouring. It was less likely for dragons to preserve their forms and maintain longevity as a result.
"I wonder if we stayed, he could have remained sane. Although the air of this world was no longer suitable for us, we could have lived out our limited lifespan in this world with our father. Maybe he could have found the other Divine Dragons and we could live amongst them... Maybe he would have not been burdened by our mother's death if we remained with him..." He turned to Ike with tear-filled eyes and a remorseful look. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell at you earlier. After all, my father was the one who brought you to this world and away from your family. Out of all the people who are the worst, our father is the most foolish of them all. The way I ranted, I must be the greatest hypocrite who deserves no forgiveness..."
Nergal has committed far too many crimes to be forgiven. If humans and dragons during the Scouring were unforgivable, then this man would be above them all for his transgressions.
Ike felt no pleasure when slaying the Fire Dragon at the time. His hand was forced by Nergal, who called forth the children of flame from beyond the Gate. Every single miserable event thus far could be traced back to him.
Ike stood silent to Nils's self-deprecation and walked to his side. He looked up at the stars, and silence permeated the vicinity. Finally, Ike decided to break the ice as he opened his mouth to speak.
"What you said earlier, made me realize it didn't matter what race or species you are. You're all people," Ike pointed out to Nils, who became perplexed expecting an acceptance or denial of his apology. "We will always fight among ourselves and cause trouble regardless of reason. We're not perfect. Sometimes our brains tell us one thing, while our emotions tell us another. In the end, even the dumbest creatures will love their family, their friends and… even love others. We will all have things that we can't afford to lose. Maybe that's why we fight for whatever cause, even if it means hurting and sacrificing for what most consider important..."
Recalling Yune's words to him, he repeated the words back to Nils, who was stunned. Ike wanted to break down the barrier of differences between dragons and humanity. It didn't matter whatsoever as people would create conflict amongst themselves for whatever reason.
"That's why before your father does something more drastic, he must never lose the both of you. That's what I think he desires deep down..." Ike explained to Nils, who remained in deep thought.
That night, they remained looking underneath the stars with no barriers between them. One thing was common, they were all people. Foolish people.
"So you intend to resist me to the end? You realize you are only postponing the inevitable?" Nergal queried to Ninian, who remained defiant in her expression.
They stood at the Dragon's Gate which remained closed and inactive. Nergal only found resistance from Ninian to be amusing and chuckled to himself.
"…Heh heh heh… Whether you wish it or not, it is all the same to me. I will call forth a dragon and claim its quintessence. I will harness a power never before seen on this world. And I will become this world's master. That is my desire." Nergal beckoned to his daughter who shook her head at his words. "Ninian, you are but a tool to help me achieve that end."
It was then that Ninian looked at Nergal with a tear-filled expression. Her sudden emotion confused the sorcerer. He took a moment to conclude it was just further resistance and smirked.
"Don't want to? You are truly amusing. My dear, I am not looking for your consent. You are weak, and I am strong. You will bend before me." Nergal spoke with a demanding tone.
It was then that Ninian found herself offended by Nergal. Her emotional state was further exacerbated by her father's words.
"D-do you not recognize me...? Or Nils...?" She choked out. Nergal was stunned for a moment but Ninian continued: "From during the Scouring, you were the closest one to us before we escaped to the Gate..."
Nergal frowned and looked at Ninian with suspicion. He then snorted and Ninian widened her eyes in despair. He regarded her attempts at trying to have him remember as nothing more than a distraction.
Even if he did remember, Nergal believed it was likely nothing more than the friendship he held with the dragons in Arcadia and Athos. To him, they were all untrustworthy and friends bring weakness. He felt it was likely that he let them go past the Gate for his own ends...
"I admit I have lived for ages, but I suppose your relation to me was nothing more like those Divine Dragons back at Arcadia. Worthless," Nergal once again beckoned to his daughter. "Come, Ninian. Open the gate!"
Ninian shook her head in tears and muttered: "No…no… No… Noooooooooo!"
Her form morphs into a draconic appearance. With fin-like frills on her head and other parts of her body. Her scales held a blueish-green hue. Nergal remained expressionless upon seeing the true form of the Ice Dragon.
"So, at last… Your true form… is liberated..." As he spoke, the Ice Dragon flew off. He soon smirked at her attempt to escape. "Hmph. To where do you hope to run, beast? You'll never be human. Why do you cling to them so? What would Eliwood say if he saw your hideous form? Ninian, for one such as you, there will never be a place you can call your home!"
With a callous heart, he saw off the girl who ran from her father in despair. In her mind, all she could think about was the man she loved. A man she felt she did not deserve.
Fae's Adventures in Tellius Part 5
Fae watched as various berries were carried by a large specialized net held by two attendants. One of the laguz looked young while the other had a more stern appearance and slicked-back brown hair. Accompanying them was their king, Tibarn, along with the Heron Prince, Reyson.
They laid the banquet of berries at a table prepared for the hawk tribe laguz to place. Dheginsea and Kurthnaga nodded their head at the gift delivered for Fae. There was plenty for their guest and themselves to enjoy.
"Wow, thank you, Tibarn! Reyson!" Fae thanked the pair.
"You spoke our names, we didn't get to fully introduce ourselves last time we met," Reyson replied with a smile.
"And here are my attendants, Ulki and Janaff," Tibarn introduced his eyes and ears, with Ulki nodding and Janaff waving to Fae. "Enjoy the berries, we brought them for you since you craved them."
Fae drooled and marveled at the sight of the ripe berries. She gestured if she was allowed to partake in some to Dheginsea and Kurthnaga to which the former nodded and the son smiled at Fae. She gleamed with excitement and grabbed one to eat and much more.
Savoring the taste of the berries, they were better than what Fae imagined. The bird laguz saw the girl enjoy herself with a smile.
"These are so good!" Fae complimented with a messy face. "Fae's so happy."
Gareth came with a napkin and wiped the face of Fae. In the end, despite being a couple hundred years old, she was still a child.
"Well, we'd love to stay, but we have some matters to attend to," Tibarn announced with his wings readied and others following suit. He then whispered to the royal Goldoan present, "Naesala didn't regard our warning and wanted to steal some berries for himself..."
Indeed, he had brought even a squadron to tease Tibarn's men to the point of Tibarn considering using his talons to claw the ravens apart. That conflict lasted several hours, which made the current time close to evening.
It was clear from all the shouting from Reyson and petty harassment from Naesala and his men that they didn't care for the berries. Naesala genuinely wanted to mess with Reyson while ensuring they were delayed.
"Will you not stay for a meal or even the night?" Kurthnaga inquired to the Hawk King. "We could prepare food based on your diet. I'm sure Fae will be pleased to speak with you at the feast."
Dheginsea was slightly hesitant to invite the bird laguz for a meal, given that certain unsavory individuals were still present. But he relented upon seeing Fae's eyes sparkling, beckoning him to have them over for a feast.
Reyson and Tibarn looked at one another before nodding. They didn't want to disappoint such an innocent little girl after they hauled berries for her. Plus, it was getting dark, so they could return in the morning.
"Splendid," Kurthnaga remarked. He turned to Gareth who was still wiping away Fae's face. "Gareth, prepare Lord Reyson the finest nuts and fruits we have available. And for King Tibarn and his attendants, fresh fish and meat."
"Yes, milord!" Gareth saluted and went off to tend to his duties.
It was then that Fae was suddenly reminded of someone. Perhaps berries would help lift her spirits like when they visited flower field.
Idunn sat at her bed, watching the light coming through the curtain become dimmer. She remained silent even after she heard small footsteps at her door.
The door opened to reveal Fae holding a bowl of berries in her hand. Idunn wondered why she brought them here. She did not complain, as she could not in her present state. However, every time she saw Fae with Kurthnaga, she felt an emotion that was lost to her. It became evident the moment they took her to the flower fields that day.
"Fae wanted to share some berries with you, they're very tasty!" She exclaimed as Fae brought the bowl of berries to Idunn at the bedside. She picked one and brought one up to Idunn's face, which remained blank in expression. "Our new bird tribe friends came and brought them for all of us. Let's eat together!"
It took several moments until Idunn finally opened her mouth and ate a single berry. Upon chewing, her heterochromatic eyes seemed to widen slightly in acknowledgment. She picked up another and continued to eat with slight gusto.
Fae giggled and enjoyed watching her eat. Picking up a berry and eating it, they both silently savored the ripe berries brought by new friends.
Outside the door, Kurthnaga peeked and smiled at the girls enjoying themselves. Idunn was improving, little by little. But it was far from a favorable outcome, as he hoped she could obtain the energy to enjoy time with Fae.
He thought to himself and was reminded of one of the visitors who arrived. Perhaps he could raise Idunn's morale...
AN: Comment/Review section:
To Guest:
Sadly enough, Tanith had one cute support with Oscar but it never went anywhere after PoR...
Other Guest:
Yeah... Jahn isn't self-righteous or believed he did anything for the greater good based on his original dialogue and personality. He even said, "We battled to maintain our species and we lost. That is all." I can tell you never played Binding Blade or played the Elibe gba games or at least bothered to watch a playthough. It's better to just stop. You keep misinterpreting him or just making stuff up. You cannot gaslight others into thinking you're right.