Post by Neo on Apr 23, 2016 22:26:07 GMT -6
"So who's the new servant?" Lucius asks, as he and Dianna walk through the gardens, heading towards the wooden gazebo in the center.
"She's my cousin actually," Dianna answers, stopping briefly to smell the flowers. "Second Cousin however, as her grandmother was illegitimate. She's not in line for the throne, but mother felt her bloodline might still be used to hinder my succession, since she's a year older than I am, so Asuka spent most of her childhood in our family's northern Winter Estate. I used to visit her often as a child. You remember when I used to go on those long trips in the winter, don't you?"
How could I forget? I used to hate the winter season every year, as it meant I wouldn't be able to see you for a couple months. I would stare out the window in my old room every night for hours, hoping I would see the royal carriage come down the lane. I would try and count all the falling snowflakes while I waited for you to come home.
"I remember," Lucius says, a distant look in his eyes. "That was a long time ago."
Dianna smiles. If she noticed the shift in Lucius's tone, she didn't give any indication. "It was indeed. I still remember those times so fondly. Asuka and I used to explore every nook and cranny of the northern estate. We got into so much mischief. And when it came time to leave, I was never sad, because it meant I would see you again soon, Lu. I know she can be difficult, but try to get along with her, alright? She's just as precious to me as you are."
Lucius gives a short laugh. "I don't think that's up to me, Dia. She's the one who decided I was an 'uncouth brute unworthy to even exist in your presence'."
Dianna giggles. "She's just very overprotective of me. And, well... She's not exactly trusting of men. Her father wasn't a very nice man, and she had a terrible experience with a private tutor a few years back. She's lived a very sheltered life as well. So just give her time, Lu. She'll come around once she gets to know you."
Lucius merely nods in understanding. They reached the gazebo, and sat down at the small wooden table built for two. There was already a full pot of tea and two cups set, along with a plate of pastries. Dianna poured them both tea, and the pair sat in silence for a while, merely enjoying the sun and listening to the birds chirping. Lucius suddenly found himself staring at his old friend.
She was as beautiful as ever. Her long silver hair was pulled back into a ponytail, held together by an ornate golden hairclip. She wore a simple strapless white dress and white sandals, and her fair skin was almost luminescent in the sunlight. Her bright blue eyes were always warm and free of judgment, and there was an ocean of intelligence and wisdom hidden deep within them that belied her young age.
Noticing he was staring, she met his gaze and smiled. "This is nice, isn't it? It's been a while since we've had a chance to sit and talk like this."
"Yes, it has," Lucius agrees, turning his attention back to his cup.
"So, what did you need to talk about?" Dianna asks, a hint of curiosity in her voice.
Well, no sense in beating around the bush...
"I need a pass to enter the Wilds, Dia," Lucius says, his calm voice a stark contrast to the obvious shock displayed on Dianna's face. She pursed her lips; a sign that she was really worried.
"Don't tell me you intend to pursue your father..."
Lucius nods gravely. "I do. I've finally managed to decipher that old map he left me. This is something I have to do, Dia. I have to see this through to the end."
Her worry only deepened. "But... Why Lu? Why risk it? Your House is doing fine, and everything is starting to look up again... You, above all others, know just how dangerous the Wilds are."
"My house," Lucius corrected, "Is made up of only a handful of people. All the money and connections I've toiled away at making, all the times I've swallowed my pride, everything I've done over the years, it's barely made a dent in the debt my father left me. My house's name, my name is still little better than mud. Disgraced. All because my father thought he found Taliesin's final resting place, his lost kingdom. Dianna, out of respect for your station, and our friendship, I have never come to you for help. Even when you offered, I turned you down because I didn't want to soil your reign with the controversy of my family's legacy any more than I already have. But I come to you now because I have no choice. The only way to restore my house to what it once was is to finish what my father started. Please, Dia, if you hold any love for me, grant me this one favor."
She closes her eyes and takes a shaky breath. When her eyes open again, they're filled with a sad resignation. She reaches over and places her hand atop his. "Alright... But there's a catch. And before I tell you what that is, you have to promise me you'll return. Whether you find Taliesin's lost kingdom or no, promise me you'll come back, Lu. It's not worth your life."
Despite the grim change in mood, Lucius manages a smile. "I promise, Dia. As I told another worrier recently, I am not my father. I will return. You have my oath."
Dianna leans back in her chair and sighs. "I believe you. If it were in my power, I would issue you a pass right here and now. However my uncle has claimed a monopoly on passes as of late, and has been handling all expeditions to and from the Wilds. He says it's just to help relieve some of my burden, but still I worry... He has become increasingly distant and difficult to approach since he returned from the last pilgrimage. But... There are a couple ways I could get you a pass. The first would mean playing you off as a mercenary, a bodyguard for hire. There's a caravan from the Daram Merchant's Guild staying in town, about to leave for the Wilds. They already have a pass and can leave at any time, but they're looking for bodyguards before they do. As you're well aware, there aren't a lot of people eager to go into the Wilds, not even for money. I can personally put in a good word for you, and guarantee you a spot."
"And the other option?" Lucius prompts.
Dianna visibly hesitates, which automatically makes him worried. She wasn't one known to hesitate often. "You could become a Royal Guard. But... You would have to join the Holy Knights first."
The expression on Lucius's face must have been quite telling, because she hurried to explain. "Wait! I know you despise what the Knights have become, and I know you hate them because of your brother. You have every reason to hate them, I understand that. Even I can see what they've become, and I'm ashamed of my powerlessness to do anything about it. But you won't have to go to the Academy unless you want to, and you won't be forced to take orders from anyone you hate. As a Royal Guard, your orders would only come from either Claire or myself. You would only need to take the Academy's entrance exam to become a Knight Initiate, and then I can induct you into the Royal Guard. Once you're a member of my Guard, you will have a lot of freedom, a steady income that you can use however you wish, and even my uncle or the Commandant won't be able to boss you around. You'll technically be a full Knight, but you'll operate outside the normal Chain of Command, and have the equivalent rank of a First Lieutenant in the Holy Knights. And since the Royal Guards operate solely under my authority, my uncle wouldn't be able to deny or question why I'm giving one of them a pass. And well..."
And we'll be able to see each other on a regular basis without a cloud of controversy hanging over our heads, right Dia? It's true I would have a lot of freedom, and I wouldn't have to worry about following some greedy merchant all over the Wilds. I could explore at my own pace. The money would also help, and it would give me- and more importantly, Erin and Ogrim- added protection from that arrogant brat Malik and his mother. However... The reality is, in the longterm, it would make my life much more complicated, whereas guarding a caravan would simply be a one time thing. So my choice is, do I take the easy way out and cast off my mantle to become a simple mercenary for a couple weeks, or take the risky path and join Dianna's Royal Guards? Either way, I'm going to have to decide now...
-------
A: Pledge yourself to Queen Dianna and become one of her Royal Guards.
B: Take up your sword in the name of the Merchant's Guild and play the part of a traveling mercenary.
Important Note: This choice is very important, and will affect many things in the story, so treat it like you treated the main character or emblem choice and take it very seriously. This is the last time I will let you know when a really important choice is up, after this, I will only give hints. Also, cause I'm a nice dragon, and it might help you decide what to pick, I'll go ahead and tell you the most immediate difference for each choice. With A, you'll get your Oifey character right from the get-go, instead of having to recruit her later. Should be pretty obvious who your Oifey is(At least to you FE vets). This will make the next chapter much, much easier. With B, you'll have access to your Supply Convoy immediately(Next chapter) and will get it permanently sooner than you would otherwise.
Edit: Also note that choosing A does not automatically lock the Holy Knight Academy in as your one main Academy. Like Dianna said, you won't have to go if you don't want to. You will still be able to choose another Academy later if you wish, though be forewarned, if you don't choose an Academy by a certain chapter in Part 2, you will be locked out of joining one at all. But you will have plenty of time to shop around before then, so don't worry.
"She's my cousin actually," Dianna answers, stopping briefly to smell the flowers. "Second Cousin however, as her grandmother was illegitimate. She's not in line for the throne, but mother felt her bloodline might still be used to hinder my succession, since she's a year older than I am, so Asuka spent most of her childhood in our family's northern Winter Estate. I used to visit her often as a child. You remember when I used to go on those long trips in the winter, don't you?"
How could I forget? I used to hate the winter season every year, as it meant I wouldn't be able to see you for a couple months. I would stare out the window in my old room every night for hours, hoping I would see the royal carriage come down the lane. I would try and count all the falling snowflakes while I waited for you to come home.
"I remember," Lucius says, a distant look in his eyes. "That was a long time ago."
Dianna smiles. If she noticed the shift in Lucius's tone, she didn't give any indication. "It was indeed. I still remember those times so fondly. Asuka and I used to explore every nook and cranny of the northern estate. We got into so much mischief. And when it came time to leave, I was never sad, because it meant I would see you again soon, Lu. I know she can be difficult, but try to get along with her, alright? She's just as precious to me as you are."
Lucius gives a short laugh. "I don't think that's up to me, Dia. She's the one who decided I was an 'uncouth brute unworthy to even exist in your presence'."
Dianna giggles. "She's just very overprotective of me. And, well... She's not exactly trusting of men. Her father wasn't a very nice man, and she had a terrible experience with a private tutor a few years back. She's lived a very sheltered life as well. So just give her time, Lu. She'll come around once she gets to know you."
Lucius merely nods in understanding. They reached the gazebo, and sat down at the small wooden table built for two. There was already a full pot of tea and two cups set, along with a plate of pastries. Dianna poured them both tea, and the pair sat in silence for a while, merely enjoying the sun and listening to the birds chirping. Lucius suddenly found himself staring at his old friend.
She was as beautiful as ever. Her long silver hair was pulled back into a ponytail, held together by an ornate golden hairclip. She wore a simple strapless white dress and white sandals, and her fair skin was almost luminescent in the sunlight. Her bright blue eyes were always warm and free of judgment, and there was an ocean of intelligence and wisdom hidden deep within them that belied her young age.
Noticing he was staring, she met his gaze and smiled. "This is nice, isn't it? It's been a while since we've had a chance to sit and talk like this."
"Yes, it has," Lucius agrees, turning his attention back to his cup.
"So, what did you need to talk about?" Dianna asks, a hint of curiosity in her voice.
Well, no sense in beating around the bush...
"I need a pass to enter the Wilds, Dia," Lucius says, his calm voice a stark contrast to the obvious shock displayed on Dianna's face. She pursed her lips; a sign that she was really worried.
"Don't tell me you intend to pursue your father..."
Lucius nods gravely. "I do. I've finally managed to decipher that old map he left me. This is something I have to do, Dia. I have to see this through to the end."
Her worry only deepened. "But... Why Lu? Why risk it? Your House is doing fine, and everything is starting to look up again... You, above all others, know just how dangerous the Wilds are."
"My house," Lucius corrected, "Is made up of only a handful of people. All the money and connections I've toiled away at making, all the times I've swallowed my pride, everything I've done over the years, it's barely made a dent in the debt my father left me. My house's name, my name is still little better than mud. Disgraced. All because my father thought he found Taliesin's final resting place, his lost kingdom. Dianna, out of respect for your station, and our friendship, I have never come to you for help. Even when you offered, I turned you down because I didn't want to soil your reign with the controversy of my family's legacy any more than I already have. But I come to you now because I have no choice. The only way to restore my house to what it once was is to finish what my father started. Please, Dia, if you hold any love for me, grant me this one favor."
She closes her eyes and takes a shaky breath. When her eyes open again, they're filled with a sad resignation. She reaches over and places her hand atop his. "Alright... But there's a catch. And before I tell you what that is, you have to promise me you'll return. Whether you find Taliesin's lost kingdom or no, promise me you'll come back, Lu. It's not worth your life."
Despite the grim change in mood, Lucius manages a smile. "I promise, Dia. As I told another worrier recently, I am not my father. I will return. You have my oath."
Dianna leans back in her chair and sighs. "I believe you. If it were in my power, I would issue you a pass right here and now. However my uncle has claimed a monopoly on passes as of late, and has been handling all expeditions to and from the Wilds. He says it's just to help relieve some of my burden, but still I worry... He has become increasingly distant and difficult to approach since he returned from the last pilgrimage. But... There are a couple ways I could get you a pass. The first would mean playing you off as a mercenary, a bodyguard for hire. There's a caravan from the Daram Merchant's Guild staying in town, about to leave for the Wilds. They already have a pass and can leave at any time, but they're looking for bodyguards before they do. As you're well aware, there aren't a lot of people eager to go into the Wilds, not even for money. I can personally put in a good word for you, and guarantee you a spot."
"And the other option?" Lucius prompts.
Dianna visibly hesitates, which automatically makes him worried. She wasn't one known to hesitate often. "You could become a Royal Guard. But... You would have to join the Holy Knights first."
The expression on Lucius's face must have been quite telling, because she hurried to explain. "Wait! I know you despise what the Knights have become, and I know you hate them because of your brother. You have every reason to hate them, I understand that. Even I can see what they've become, and I'm ashamed of my powerlessness to do anything about it. But you won't have to go to the Academy unless you want to, and you won't be forced to take orders from anyone you hate. As a Royal Guard, your orders would only come from either Claire or myself. You would only need to take the Academy's entrance exam to become a Knight Initiate, and then I can induct you into the Royal Guard. Once you're a member of my Guard, you will have a lot of freedom, a steady income that you can use however you wish, and even my uncle or the Commandant won't be able to boss you around. You'll technically be a full Knight, but you'll operate outside the normal Chain of Command, and have the equivalent rank of a First Lieutenant in the Holy Knights. And since the Royal Guards operate solely under my authority, my uncle wouldn't be able to deny or question why I'm giving one of them a pass. And well..."
And we'll be able to see each other on a regular basis without a cloud of controversy hanging over our heads, right Dia? It's true I would have a lot of freedom, and I wouldn't have to worry about following some greedy merchant all over the Wilds. I could explore at my own pace. The money would also help, and it would give me- and more importantly, Erin and Ogrim- added protection from that arrogant brat Malik and his mother. However... The reality is, in the longterm, it would make my life much more complicated, whereas guarding a caravan would simply be a one time thing. So my choice is, do I take the easy way out and cast off my mantle to become a simple mercenary for a couple weeks, or take the risky path and join Dianna's Royal Guards? Either way, I'm going to have to decide now...
-------
A: Pledge yourself to Queen Dianna and become one of her Royal Guards.
B: Take up your sword in the name of the Merchant's Guild and play the part of a traveling mercenary.
Important Note: This choice is very important, and will affect many things in the story, so treat it like you treated the main character or emblem choice and take it very seriously. This is the last time I will let you know when a really important choice is up, after this, I will only give hints. Also, cause I'm a nice dragon, and it might help you decide what to pick, I'll go ahead and tell you the most immediate difference for each choice. With A, you'll get your Oifey character right from the get-go, instead of having to recruit her later. Should be pretty obvious who your Oifey is(At least to you FE vets). This will make the next chapter much, much easier. With B, you'll have access to your Supply Convoy immediately(Next chapter) and will get it permanently sooner than you would otherwise.
Edit: Also note that choosing A does not automatically lock the Holy Knight Academy in as your one main Academy. Like Dianna said, you won't have to go if you don't want to. You will still be able to choose another Academy later if you wish, though be forewarned, if you don't choose an Academy by a certain chapter in Part 2, you will be locked out of joining one at all. But you will have plenty of time to shop around before then, so don't worry.
