echoes of truth | ❝ tales of loss and fire and flame. ❞

[dragonssung]

song of hope

BOOK 3.5: EVER HEAVENSWARD

Tales of loss and fire and faith
Every word on our hearts engraved
In the dark you will not stray
Forge ahead, till the end, we prayCODE BY TESSISAMESS

Comments

[thewayforpeace]

[ Perhaps it is his own overarching desire to protect her and to live up to being her knight, but he does not wish to be parted from her as well. His recollections of everything that led up to his tempering are murky at best, but he does know they were separated at that time because of their respective duties, and he does not wish for anything like that to happen again.

His thoughts are beginning to swirl away from him when he hears her say his name. The hand that is holding onto hers tightens as a memory stirs unasked for.

It is little better than a flash of images, but he distinctly remembers seeing two Elezen children fleeing, and a tall man in white looming over them. He hears himself shouting at the children to run and hide while he moves to stand in between them and the imposing figure.

What happens next, he cannot tell nor recall, but a vise is gripping his heart and his breaths begin to rapidly increase until standing proves difficult and if not for his hand in hers, he would have dropped to his knees into the snow.

Seconds that feel more like minutes pass before his vision clears and he realizes he is still standing beside her. His other hand raises to pinch the bridge of his nose and he shakes his head as if trying to dislodge the sudden burst of unwanted memories. ]

I- I apologize, I am not sure what came over me.

[ Only, he knows all too well, and he supposes it will not take much for Alkaid to guess at what temporarily overwhelmed his thoughts. ]

We must keep moving and bring whoever it is that is out here to safety. [ Or to relative safety, at least. ]

[shepherdtostars]

[ Alkaid places the cane upon her back to rest. Her hand remains in his, but the other gently rests on his side where the wound from his assassination attempt rests. She knows that the wound aches more the colder it is. Clearly, it is not the wound that bothers her beloved knight. The far away look in his eyes and tension in his chest is enough of a tell for her. After all, how often does her mind also retreat into moments that threaten to pull her away from the present?

He will find no look of judgement on her face nor hint of annoyance. Simply a gentle expression and understanding in her eyes. Alkaid places her chin on his chest, head tilted back as far as she can, gaze locked on his. She will not inquiry to his state of being at the moment. That can wait for when they are together for the night and somewhere safer.

Her fingers slip between his and squeezes his hand. ]

Aymeric.

[ His name is said gently and with care, similar to the tone she had once used with their first night together. One spent learning one another and of the hurt that he buries down so deep. One that only happened because of Nidhogg temporarily disrupting an attempt at peace. She gently presses her fingers to his side as if to say that she will attend to him as soon as she is able. ]

I am here at your side, as I ever will be, even if I am far away.

[ Her head tilts then to nudge her cheek to his chest. Then, another squeeze is given to his hand. ]

Let us go quickly. Neither of us should be in the elements for long.

[thewayforpeace]

[ Although the moment passed almost as quickly as it came, it left something behind that Aymeric is finding harder to shake off. Though the images were fleeting and hard to hold onto, he remembers that there were two young Elezen who were in danger and he told them to run while he remained behind to face an all-too-familiar figure.

What happened to them? Did they find shelter and safety, or were they turned as he was? The grip on his heart seems to clench even harder then and he has to will himself to remain still, lest he give away the hurt that has settled upon him once more. Now is not the time for him to come apart at the seams, and yet he is finding collecting himself quite difficult.

But as always, all Alkaid has to do is say his name with those comforting, gentle tones, and he finds himself latching onto her comforting presence as a drowning man latches onto his rescuer's hand. ]

I must have said similar things before, but it is all too clear to me that I could strive for a thousand years and still not deserve you and all that you offer.

[ The way her hand rests on his side where the scar remains and how she squeezes his hand while resting her cheek against his chest only adds to the comfort that he feels. How she can comfort him with just a touch and the way she says his name is still a mystery to him, but he does not question it very much. ]

Yes, of course. They cannot have gotten far.

[ And as if to confirm his words, Aymeric hears the unmistakable sound of a footfall on the snow, and he looks up to see two wary-looking yet somewhat relieved faces: the youngest son of Count Edmont and his manservant. To say that he is surprised to see them would be understating it greatly. ]

Emmanellain and... [ He ought to remember the name of Emmanellain's companion, and yet it is escaping him in this moment. ]

Honoroit, Ser Aymeric. [ Seeing that the Lord Speaker is having difficulty recalling his name, Honoroit is quick to fill in the gaps for him. ]

Ah, yes, forgive me, but your name had escaped me for a moment there. [ Aymeric casts a worried look over both of them, as if looking for any signs of injury or other distress. Surely Alkaid would have more experience in identifying those things, and in identifying whether or not one or both of them have been tempered as well, so he spares a sidelong glance for her, looking for confirmation or denial. ]

[shepherdtostars]

It's not about deserving, Aymeric. [ She nudges his chest with her cheek once more. ] It has never been.

[ However, whatever she might have said next is stolen as her ears twitch at the sound of crunching snow. She looks over her shoulder at those who would be joining them. In a moment, her heart leaps into her throat, and her tail stands on end. The youngest of the Foretemps and his faithful friend. With a final squeeze to her betrothed's hand, Alkaid quickly dashes the few steps needed to start looking them over. ]

Emmanellain! Honorit!

I say, old girl, it's been too long! And Ser Aymeric! [ The youngest, as always, seems to lose track of the notion that formalities would be implied by titles alone. Instead he leans back the moment Alkaid starts looking him over with her keen healers eye. ] Oh, come now, you don't think I would fall to such hurts in the weather...!

It is you, Emmanellain. [ Alkaid raises her eyebrows with a smile, but the look sent over her shoulder to Aymeric is meant to imply a double meaning. The pair of them are far from tempered. She stretches her hand back out for Aymeric to take and join at her side. ] Where is your brother? Your father?

[ At that, the youngest's gaze softens. He looks away, a frown settled on his face, and fists clenched. ] I've not seen them since the evacuation... not that I ordered it, of course! We had intended to stand our ground at Camp Dragonshead. I wouldn't dare let Haurchefaunt down...

I am more than certain he would understand. [ Alkaid moves her weight to her toes to reach up and gently ruffle his hair. ] As I am certain we will find your brother and father. Have you found any others?

[ Still downtrodden, Emmanellain turns and gestures to the way they had come. ] We've found who we can and huddled ourselves in Monument Tower. It's far from safe on the roads, as one could imagine, during the night.

[ Alkaid turns her head to look up at Aymeric and smiles at him. Some survivors are better than none. Her tail sways side to side just a bit. ]

[thewayforpeace]

[ She has said that, and he believes she means it, but there is no changing the fact that he believes he is undeserving. Still, perhaps at some point in his life, he did something good that turned a favorable eye in his direction and brought the two of them together. Or perhaps she is the one who is only reaping the rewards of what she has done. Naturally, he is biased in her favor, but in his mind, she deserves all the good things that could ever come to a person.

So he shakes his head briefly while giving her a fond smile as they turn their attentions to the two young men. ]

Well, you seem healthy enough, which I am very relieved to see. [ He knows now is not the moment to divulge what has happened to him and how he recovered, but he feared that those he knew and called friends would have fallen prey to the primal's influence as well. He knows that there may well be others who have done so, but it does him good to know that at least Emmanellain and Honoirot have been spared.

He does, however, send up a silent petition to Halone or whomever might be listening that Artoirel and Count Edmont remain safe and whole as well, knowing that if he were to petition for the safety of everyone he cared about, his petitions would never end. ]

I have no doubts at all that if Haurchefant is looking down upon us now, he is thinking only of how proud he is of you, Emmanellain.

[ A fleeting thought comes, and Aymeric is quick to push it away, but a part of him believes that Haurchefant would be so incredibly saddened but also incensed by the danger Ishgard and her people are presently facing. He does his best to not let his thoughts travel too far, but he wonders not for the first time if he could have done more to prevent this from occurring.

Still, he does not voice any of those thoughts or worries because now is not the time for it. ]

It does bring me no small amount of relief to know that there are those who have survived, and this news gives me hope that there may well be others who have taken shelter in other locations. It may take some time to locate all of them, but Monument Tower is a place to start.

[ He turns to give a smile to Alkaid as well, but his attentions turn back to Emmanellain and Honoroit. ]

Thank you both for all that you have done. [ His gratefulness and the relief he feels is all too plain in his voice, but he had feared that he would only find those who had been tempered, or worse, others who had been slain. ]

I will repay you for what you have done as soon as I am able.

[shepherdtostars]

Temple Knights are used to weathering the storms, as I am certain you know, Ser Aymeric! [ Emmanellain does his best to seem far more imposing and knightly than he is in that moment. Alkaid shakes her head with a gentle smile. ] Those we've managed to find so far will be elated to see the Lord Speaker well. We had feared the worse. Come, this way, I shall do my best to inform you of the situation as we walk.

[ Alkaid's hand moves back to find Aymeric's once more, fingers sliding between his, and a comforting squeeze given. They all still feel the loss of Haurchefaunt in some way. While perhaps his passing hurt her sister more? Alkaid still feels the burden of being unable to save him. It is not a burden she will allow to consume her, which is why she is so certain they will save Ishgard now. ]

Please, Ser, you've no reason to t-thank me! Or repayment. W-well, I suppose informing my father might be a place to start...

[ They begin to follow the younger Elezen and Alkaid falls into step besides Aymeric once more. She still feels the cold, inside and out, but knows it must be pressed to the side for now. The time to deal with her own bone deep exhaustion can come once they are somewhere warm and have assessed the situation. Then, maybe, she might have enough time to speak with Aymeric... ]

I say, old lass. Are you often so familiar with our dear Lord Speaker?

[ Alkaid snaps from her thoughts to look back at the younger lord who thrives on gossip. Her ears lift under her hood and a smile forms on her face. Emmanellain glances between the pair of them with eyebrows raised and an expectation of a grand story. ]

I thought it was an open secret to all of Ishgard that we're to be wed, Emmanellain. Has your time in Camp Dragonhead removed you from the social circles? [ There is a familiar tease in her voice and the younger Elezen begins to stammer. ] I was fairly sure the first to even catch wind of it were the Temple Knights in Gyr Abania... not to mention I am housed with Ser Aymeric when I return home to Ishgard.

W-well, I... I would not presume the rumors were true! Are they?!

[thewayforpeace]

Oh, I do know, and I am counting on that very thing to see all of us through this. [ Because in a way, even though he is now Lord Speaker, a part of him is not even the Lord Commander but one of the rank and file, a Temple Knight himself. He has not forgotten those days and what it was like to be one.

He nods his agreement with Emmanellain and when Alkaid's fingers slide between his, he curls his own around hers without hesitation. He is not responsible for the welfare of every Ishgardian, at least not on his own, and yet when any citizen of Ishgard is hurt or worse and he learns of it, it becomes yet another burden that rests upon his shoulders. Haurchefant's loss is one he still feels keenly, because he was a good man, and he too feels as though he should have at least attempted to save him or push him out of the way.

Never mind that he was not the pinnacle of health at the time, but he feels that is no excuse even now. ]

On the contrary, I have every reason to thank you and to see about giving you and yours proper recompense. But yes, locating your father and brother both remains a priority, lest you begin to worry.

[ And as they walk, he is quick to drape an arm over Alkaid, hoping that what warmth he has will transfer over to her. She must be exhausted, not to mention cold, and the sooner they find themselves out of the elements, the better. But if it were up to him, he would see her brought to warmth and safety while he ventured out to continue the search.

At Emmanellain's question, he looks up, a little surprised, but not quite, at the same time. Their engagement truly is the worst-kept secret in all of Ishgard, after all. ]

I suppose that is only fair, as there have been quite a few rumors swirling about. What do you say to that, Alkaid?

[ He feels as though he could confirm the rumors himself, but he would rather let Alkaid make that decision, as he still believes preserving her reputation is of greater importance. ]

[shepherdtostars]

[ Alkaid smiles up at her betrothed, hand squeezing his once more. Aymeric has ever been a servant of Ishgard; merely changing the titles and duties in which he serves her. He will ever be a Temple Knight deep at heart.

She eases into his hold and leans into his side. In truth, she should have a few days of rest to gather her strength and aether back after the extensive trial that was Aymeric's tempering. Yet, that is not the reality at hand, and she will not beg for it to be so. Those she calls family and friends are under attack and she cannot sleep well knowing it.

Aymeric's question causes her ears to perk up once more. She looks between the Elezen. That is when she realizes it is not a need for gossip that the confirmation is being asked for. It is the searching for hope--something positive to hold onto during a time that strikes Ishgardians in their core. While she wishes their marriage to remain theirs and not of celebrity or fame...

How can she deny hope to any that need it?

Alkaid smiles at them then. She turns her head to look up at Aymeric. With a tug to get him to bend down, she pulls him into a far from chaste kiss. The younger Foretemps gasps at the confirmation and Alkaid cannot help but smile.]

[thewayforpeace]

[ As always, whenever Alkaid turns her attentions to him, everything else around him seems to fade away and all he can see is her brightly colored eyes looking at him. He ought to be thinking about his next moves, about what he might do to locate the scattered survivors, and what is more, what ought to be done about the primal.

But with her looking at him in such a way, all of those thoughts fade entirely into the background.

And when she tugs at him until he bends down and then pulls him into that kiss, all he can think about is the feel of her lips on his and the love he has for her. He barely registers Emmanellain's gasp, because his entire body is tingling in light of Alkaid's kiss. A thought enters his mind that perhaps he owes the younger of the Fortemps an apology for the display, but that thought vanishes as quickly as it came.

It may well return later, when Aymeric's wits are about him once more, but for the moment, he only has eyes for his betrothed. ]

[shepherdtostars]

[ Even though the kiss is meant to be a display to answer questions, a dim realization settles in that it has been far too long since they kissed like this. She had been too concerned with his health after his tempering had been removed and then they moved to Mor Dhona. They have had small moments of holding hands and holding onto one another, but kissing or anything more had been placed to the side. And, oh, how she has missed it.

The realization settles in her mind and she all but melts against him. Everything else fades away in that moment and all that matters is the knight that has so thoroughly taken her heart. She nudges her nose against his, trying to express the sudden all encompassing emotion of love she has for him. She had so worried that they could not capture this feeling again; that it had been far too damaged by Thordan. Yet, now as she opens her eyes to look at him, she feels as if there is no need to worry for that.

Her gloved hand comes to rest on the side of his face as a brilliant smile comes to her. She kisses the side of his mouth, giving him an affectionate nudge.

Then, with her voice only so low that he might hear: ] I love you, Ser Aymeric de Borel. My knight and lord.

[thewayforpeace]

[ In spite of his knowledge that Emmanellain and Honoroit are there looking on, when Alkaid kisses him, the entire world just seems to fade away and all he can feel is how much he loves her and wishes to be with her for the rest of his life. There never really was any doubt in his mind that he loved her and wanted to be with her, but the whole ordeal of his tempering and curing has only solidified in his mind that he does not want to be parted from her ever again. And what is more, should anyone ever attempt to tear them apart again, he will fight to stay with her, whatever it takes.

His voice lowers to match her tone, and he makes a mental note to apologize to the two who are watching this later: not an apology for kissing Alkaid, as he never would offer such a thing, but for keeping them waiting in this weather. Aloud but in a low whisper, he says: ]

And I love you far more than I have ever loved anyone. Lantaa, my dearest.

this one is a time skip ho ho

[shepherdtostars]

[ A sparkle comes to her eyes at his nickname for her. She seems to almost melt against him, her smile widening for only him to see. It has been so long since she heard that nickname. He uses it rarely as it is, but, she had still worried that she might not hear it again. Perhaps part of their relationship had been too damaged by the primal. Perhaps there would have been a wall that neither could pierce to reach the other again. However, hearing her name dashes those worries to the side. She leans entirely against him, nudging his chin with her nose.

Emmanellain clears his throat. It serves to break the momentarily moment between them, and Alkaid quickly realizes just where they are. Her eyes widen slightly before turning back to the blushing Elezen. She smiles bashfully at him, knowing her point has rather been made, but also wishing that they could continue in such a way. Emmanellain offers his formal congratulations and gestures that they ought to be on their way before the night truly settles in. Alkaid's hand finds Aymeric's once more as she starts after the younger Fortemps who explains that they had rushed out to see if they could find any others.

They arrive at Monument Tower and find that Handeloup has also taken refuge there with a handful of Knights. The Temple Knight is elated to see that the Lord Speaker is safe, and if not for his military training, would have rushed to Aymeric's side. Well wishes are offered to Alkaid as well, and Handeloup wastes no time in asking Alkaid to look over those that are injured and could use a visit from a Savior of Ishgard. Alkaid agrees, of course, and gives a smile to Aymeric before following a Temple Knight. Emmanellain is quick to then inform Handeloup that the Lord Speaker is truly engaged, but the older Elezen hardly seems surprised by the notion at all. Instead, he directs attentions to plans and informing Aymeric of the situation at hand with the amount of people they have, injured, those able to fight, and if they will be able to cross to the camp outside of Mor Dhona.

Alkaid takes to the injured naturally. She offers ministrations and balms where she can, tending to wounds, and listening to the stories of those who managed to escape the outskirts of Ishgard and Camp Dragonhead. A large sound had echoed through before a voice seemingly calling down from the heavens itself. One that spoke of war to truly set Ishgard free of her foes of any sort. Alkaid frowns, noting how it matches what Aymeric had said in his tempered state, before soothing the injured down and lulling them into an easy state.

Hours go by until the healer in charge approaches her and seemingly dismisses her. Alkaid's ears raise with a frown, moving to insist otherwise, but t he elder healer can tell the state Alkaid is in herself. Her aether stores are truly low and it is beginning to show on her person. A Savior of Ishgard must also be ready to fight, and thus she implores Alkaid to take a leave and rest for herself. Alkaid reluctantly agrees and moves to the room that has been set aside for her and the Lord Speaker.

She removes the thick coat and hood, draping it on a chair, before sitting on the simple bed. A few more moments pass before she takes off her long boots, lays backward on the bed, and rolls over to her side. She pulls a pillow closer to her, burying her face in it. Being dismissed hurts, even if she is aware that they are in the right. She truly is in no condition to heal as she normally might.

Alkaid shifts the pillow to hold against her person with her face still hidden by it. She would much rather hold onto her beloved. However, he has waited long enough for her several times. She can wait hours for him to join her if needed. ]

[thewayforpeace]

[ If circumstances were not what they were, Aymeric would have wanted nothing more than to remain by Alkaid's side, but her healing abilities are needed and he needs to see to the present situation. He is needed as the Lord Speaker but also as one who once lead the Temple Knights. Seeing to the defense of the people and of Ishgard as a whole is of paramount importance, so he must set aside his personal wants in favor of the needs of his people and his city.

Naturally, he falls right back into the role with ease, listening as Handeloup explains the situation down to the very last detail. That there are injured at all is a concern, but he is somewhat heartened to know that there is still a decent number who are able and willing to fight.

How far they might get is another concern, because as far as Aymeric can tell from what Handeloup said, the threat of being tempered has not lessened at all, and he wonders if he ought to risk soldiers' lives knowing what is lying in wait out there.

Handeloup continues along with his commentary on the state of things, and Aymeric is following along when abruptly, all sound fades to an intelligible buzz as a sudden wave of dizziness threatens to overtake him. Even though he tried to be careful to not push himself too much, knowing the added difficulties of maneuvering in such cold weather, he wonders if perhaps he did unintentionally overexert himself. He thought himself as well as anyone could be following his tempering and curing, but perhaps he thought wrong. ]

Ser Aymeric, are you well? [ Handeloup's voice finally breaks through to him, and Aymeric quickly shakes his head once as if hoping to dislodge the lingering dizziness. ]

Of course, of course. Please, continue. I am listening with rapt attention.

[ He can ill afford to appear less than healthy before Handeloup and the other survivors. Although the unsteady feeling and the dizziness remains, he does his best to focus only on Handeloup and his explanations.

Still, the other Elezen senses that all is not well with Aymeric, and while he does not leave out any details, he attempts to shorten his explaining in hopes that the Lord Speaker will be able to find a moment to rest. It could be that the rather foggy environment is only adding to the sight, but Handeloup cannot help but think that the good Lord Speaker appears rather pale. His strength and wisdom is needed, yes, but not at the cost of his health.

Finally, when Aymeric is satisfied with what he has heard and seen, and with no small amount of urgings from Handeloup to go and take a moment's rest, he consents and retreats to the room that has been provided for him and Alkaid both.

The door opens and he steps inside, and for just a moment, he has to grip onto the frame to steady himself. But his thoughts concerning himself flee the moment that his gaze lands upon Alkaid, his Lantaa. If he did not know better, he would think she was asleep, and perhaps she is, but something about her posture makes him wonder.

Still, intending to be sure that she has fallen asleep so as to avoid accidentally disturbing her, he carefully makes his way over to the bed to see for himself. The way she is holding onto the pillow causees a frown to come to his face, as he thinks it points to a certain upset that is plaguing his beloved, but perhaps his thoughts are reaching too far.

He stands there wrestling with himself and if he ought to say something to see if it garners a response, or merely remain silent and join her upon the bed. ]

[shepherdtostars]

[ Her ears raise the moment the door opens. No announcement of who steps into the room is given and that alone gives her pause. However, the footsteps are ones she knows all too well. A state of ease takes her. She listens to where he might move to next. Once he stops beside the bed and does not move further, Alkaid raises her head and looks over her shoulder up at him. It takes only a moment for her to see he is not well. Pale, most certainly, but he also seems uneven in how he stands. ]

Aymeric?

[ Alkaid pushes herself to sit up on the bed properly, ears standing up atop her head and looking over him properly this time. She wears a long sleeved shirt accompanied with simple cotton pants. Her hands reach immediately to his. She tugs him to sit down on the bed. Once he has complied, she slips from the bed and goes about removing his boots and hat. A hand raises and gestures for him to lie down. Before he can worry, she joins him by sitting beside him. ]

If you are tired, my love, please rest. Sleep if you need it. [ A brief pause happens before she tentatively speaks an offer. ] ...Is there anything you need attended to?

[thewayforpeace]

[ He has done his best to quash his growing desire to simply be with Alkaid, to lie beside her and let the exhaustion of the day's events fade away. But he knew that no matter how much he wished for that, he could not afford to be so selfish and self-centered, not when faced with the prospect of his people continuing to be in danger. Yes, some are relatively safe within Monument Tower, but there are countless others who are not.

Short of striding out into the cold in search of them this very moment, there is little he can do to aid them at the present time, but to him, it feels wrong that he should be warm and comfortable with his beloved by his side when so many are not. That unsettled feeling only adds to the unsteady way with which he stands, and although he is sure it would attract undue attention, he considered using Naegling to lean upon to better balance himself. ]

Nay, it is not rest that I require. [ At least not entirely. ] Have you managed to take some rest? I apologize for keeping you waiting. Handeloup had much to report, and I fear there is still more he did not relate to me.

[ If not for his display of weakness, he is certain he would still have been with the man, listening to more of his reports.

To further reassure himself and her that all is as well as possible, he straightens up to his normal, full height, ignoring the way the old wound in his side protests, having been aggravated by the cold and his efforts. It would give the game away entirely if he doubled over, and so he manages not to do that, but there is no concealing the brief grimace that flashes across his face before disappearing once more. ]

The only thing I need is to be with you for whatever time we have before we are needed once more. [ Because they will both be needed, he is certain. Her to heal and encourage, and him to address any threats that arise with the intent to harm his people. ]

[shepherdtostars]

I... would not call it rest.

[ She glances to the side with a brief look of guilt taking her face. It was more akin to sulking, she supposes. Lying about uselessly in her own hurt that she is in such a state they dismissed her. It brings to mind memories of being bared from healing her beloved and the fact he now bares a wound he can never be rid of.

Instead she turns her attention back to him and what he might need. With him lying on the bed, she shifts where she sits beside him. A motion is given for him to rest his head in her lap. Then, in an all too familiar motion, her hand gently sits atop his healed stab wound. Her fingers gently move along the scar beneath the fabric. There is no healing magic present, merely a soothing motion. Although, should she need to attend to his aether, she most certainly will. ]

What is the state of affairs?

[thewayforpeace]

Do you need more time, then? I will do my best not to keep you from your own rest and recovery. [ And he supposes that her need is far greater than his. After all, he has done a great deal of sleeping. Never mind that much of his time spent tempering was less sleep and more of an exhausted stupor. Still, he is not the one who expended a great deal of aether in the process.

Still, he does not hesitate to lie down and then move as he has been asked to position his head in her lap. He would be lying if he said that it did not feel good to lie here in such a way with her tending to his wound that seems destined to be a permanent thorn in his side. ]

There are many who are safe, as you have seen. And fortune seems to have been with them for the most part, in that nearly all of them are whole and unhurt. But there are still those who are not so fortunate, as you have seen.

Handeloup and I fear that there may be casualties out there in the elements, and if not that, then there will certainly be injured. [ Not to mention those who are enthralled by the primal.

If she is looking, she may very well note fear in his eyes. He may not remember every detail of his curing, but it is not difficult for him to imagine that it took a great deal of effort to rid him of his enthrallment. ]

I would see all who are still lost and not yet brought to safety taken care of, enthralled or not, and yet I fail to see how they might be cured as I was. To cure one person, or even two, is considerably different than attempting to cure a multitude.

[ And although he cannot be sure just how many Ishgardians may yet be lost out there, he fears the number will be too great for them to manage. The thought that they may have to be slain rather than restored to themselves only causes his simmering distress to rise. ]

Tomorrow, as soon as I am able, I mean to resume the search. You ought to remain behind where it is safe and where you are within reach of those who may yet need your gifts. Provided, that is, that you also have rested and recovered sufficiently.

[ Because it has not escaped his notice that she also is not well. ]

[shepherdtostars]

N-no... it's fine. I... I would rather you rest with me than be alone.

[ As, truth be told, she felt as if she has not slept beside him in some time. It has only been over a week, closer to two, since this ordeal began in Limsa. That hardly stops her from feeling as if it has been an eternity since he rested in her lap and her hand at his side.

The hand in his hair shakes slightly at the mention of his tempering. The ordeal is far from being behind them, and the memory of him being himself and yet not himself is still upsetting. The fear in his eyes is met by the apprehension in her own. She had come so close to losing him--again. First an assassination attempt and then his enthrallment. The first time he was not hers to lose, regardless of what her heart may say. This time, however... ]

Should Master Matoya remain safe, we will need to speak with her of how to best go about such a task. Alisaie and Angelo would not be enough. [ Her voice is barely above a whisper and the tremor in it is obvious. ] I am certain there is something that can be done... there must be...

[ Her eyes widen and her ears press to her head. Why should she remain and he leave? Can she not travel with him? She is useless to those here as a healer. It would take far too long for her to regain the levels of aether needed to heal them all. Which means she must find a way to move forward as the Savior of Ishgard they see her as. ]

I-in the meantime... w-would you stay with me tonight? [ The shaking in her hand only grows. What if he merely wishes to check upon her then be on his way? ] I... there are things I wish to tell you. A-and we have not been together as we might normally. Through no fault of your own! I... I simply...

[ Her eyes close and her head tilts down. She misses him. ]

Should you wish only to sleep in order to be well rested for your search in the morning? I will not keep you awake.

[thewayforpeace]

Of course, then I will remain right here. It is, after all, where I wish to be most. [ But a part of him still is very much concerned with her well-being and her need for rest, but at the same time, he wonders if she might rest easier if he were with her. And so he concludes that remaining here is truly the best course of action for both of them.

He very nearly sits up when he feels her hand begin to shake, but he has to fight with his desire to comfort her and the exhaustion that is settling in in order to do so, and in the end, said exhaustion wins. ]

I remain hopeful and ever optimistic, but I cannot help but fear for those who still remain out there.

[ And then, feeling as though perhaps he spoke wrongly by proposing that she remain behind and rest, a statement that may have only caused her anxieties to rise, he adds: ]

I will stay with you tonight and as many nights as you wish. [ His lips turn up into a small smile and his eyes turn upwards slightly so that he might see what he can of her from his vantage point. ] And I mean to remain with you for as many nights as we have granted to us. [ For the rest of our lives. Again, he leaves that unsaid, but it ought to be a foregone conclusion by now that he intends to hold onto her as tightly as he can, as often as he can. ]

What I wish for, Lantaa, is to be together with you as we have not had the opportunity for, and to hear whatever it is you wish to tell me. And lest you worry, so long as you are present, I am certain that my rest will be more than enough.

[ If he could, he would choose this moment to press a kiss onto her hand or her cheek, but there will be time enough for both. ]

[shepherdtostars]

[ She nods. The pull to help his people, to find them and bring them home, most certainly must pull at every fiber of his being. That is the reason why she will never ask him to leave his city or his people. Should he chose to, then it is his right and choice. She will not ask him to abandon them for her. If he needs her at his side in leading them or guiding them? She will be there at a moment's notice. While not of Ishgard by birth, Alkaid sees herself as apart of their people.

The tremor in her hand remains even as she continues to brush his hair and gently rubbing his side. As many nights as she wishes? She would have it be every night for the rest of their lives. Another nod is given where her words fail her. She reaches for his hand, raising it to her lips for a kiss as bending down to kiss him seems impossible at the moment. ]

I need to get something.

[ She squeezes his hand before slipping from underneath him. Alkaid moves to the backpack she brought with her for provisions. After a few moments, she returns and sits at his side. In her hands rests a small notepad and a pencil.

She releases a shaky exhale and tucks her legs underneath her. Her gaze drops to her hands as a brief silence falls between them. Where to begin? There is so much he might need to know in order to understand it. With an inhale, her eyes raise to meet his once he sits up. She scoots closer to sit against him. ]

You read the report from the Scions of what we learned on the First... why the Ascians have been doing what they've been doing. [ She frowns. ] Each calamity causes a Rejoining of the other shards to the Source. But, they were doing it because they wanted to fix the world in their eyes.

[ Her head leans against him then as a familiar source of exhaustion takes her. ]

There were no shards or Source before, only one world. A world that was becoming undone at the seems for unknown reasons. The Ancients tried to save their world in so many ways, but in the end, resulted to summoning. They brought forth a primal named Zodiark... and it took the lives of half their people. [ Her hands curl around the sketch book as she knows the topic will be sensitive to him at this moment. ] A portion of the population did not agree with the course of action and summoned another primal: Hydaelyn. The two clashed, and in the end, Hydaelyn's attack sundered their world. It broke into fourteen pieces: the Source and its reflections. Doing so broke Zodiark as well, as he kept the world together... which means every time a shard is rejoined and a Calamity happens, Zodiark is one step completed, and Hydaelyn grows weaker.

[ She pauses long enough to let it all sit in his mind. Then, Alkaid raises her head once more to look at him. ]

W-when we chased Emet-Selch to bring back the Crystal Exarch, we found that he had used aether to recreate the city that oversaw the unsundered world. It was called Amaurot. [ Alkaid opens the sketchbook and begins to draw a crude outline of the cityscape that they had seen. Her art skills are pathetic compared to Alphinaud's, but, she is certain it will suffice for her explanation. ] He recreated the city before it was destroyed, and recreated aetheric copies of the people that lived there...

[ Then, she holds the sketchbook up for him to see properly. her eyes peek over the edge of the book. It certainly looks like nothing found in Eorzea or the Far East. Nothing in their world looks like that city, and, she doubts nothing will ever look like it again. ]

T-they wanted to bring this back... with all the people that were sacrificed to Zodiark...

[thewayforpeace]

[ It still does not sit well with him that he is here in relative safety and warmth with the woman he loves by his side, when he knows full well that families have most certainly been torn apart by these events. They have no way of knowing if their loved ones even still live, and to even think about how they must be feeling saddens him greatly. In this moment, he knows that he cannot abandon his people. His duty to them is as great as the duty he has to Alkaid, and in his mind, both duties hold equal weight. He does not know as yet how he will manage to serve both, but he is determined to do so, whatever it takes.

If she consents to remain by his side as his lady-wife and as one who lends her aid to the people of Ishgard, then he will be beyond grateful to her.

He knows that tension is mounting even higher in his shoulders and neck, as is typical when he is feeling apprehensive about something, but when he feels her lips brush against his hand, he cannot hold back the exhale of breath nor the smile that crosses his face. The tension remains, but a goodly portion of it has been siphoned away by that simple act.

When she announces that she needs to retrieve something and slips away from him, he is quick to sit up, not because he fears that she will leave, but simply because he wishes to watch and see where she might be going. Perhaps he does need to be assured that she will return from whatever it is she is doing. Of course, she returns quickly enough, and he lightly chastises himself for being worried.

To him, it seems clear that something is on her mind and so he remains silent but no less attentive to her words. She is right that he did read the report, but it was very factual and direct, as reports ought to be. He imagines that what she is about to relate will be far more winding and turning than that report was.

And true to form, as she begins to explain the state of the world so very long ago, Aymeric's tension only continues to rise. She paints a dire picture, and he believes he can understand to an extent the desperation of the Ascians, even if he cannot agree with their measures nor with what they have done.

But when he hears her speak those words, saying that the summoning of Zodiark took the lives of half of the Ancients, Aymeric's face falls. Any loss of life is unforgivable; he knows that if half of all who live in Ishgard perished for any reason, that would be a blow that he might not recover from. With that in mind, he realizes he does feel some small amount of sympathy for the Ascians: not to the point that he would be able to forgive them, but he does understand what drove them.

It is not easy for him to overlook that lives were sacrificed, but when he focuses upon the knowledge that their world was in difficulty and in danger of coming apart, he can somewhat understand. Somewhat.

Alkaid's explanation continues, moving on to speak of Hydaelyn's creation and the conflict between her and Zodiark. It comes as quite the surprise that Hydaelyn is a primal, but at the same time, he admits that he does not know very much about her.

His gaze travels then to the drawn sketch of the city that she speaks of. He imagines her depiction does not do the city, or the recreation of it, justice, but it does help him to picture the place she describes. ]

I see. [ A thoughtful, almost pensive expression has taken his face, because she has given him a lot to think about and attempt to process. ] I suppose, in light of all this, I might be able to understand some- some, mind you, of the actions of these Ascians.

But others... Others, I find quite unforgivable. [ It is not his place to have an opinion, as he well knows, and it would have no bearing anyway, but he cannot help but state his feelings on the matter regardless. ]

[shepherdtostars]

[ She would offer her aid to the people of Ishgard even if she was not to be his lady-wife. However, she will be, and that makes the service to Ishgard's people all that more powerful in her mind. As much as she knows he wishes to dart out to save those lost in the metaphorical storm? He is in no condition to, and in honesty, neither is she. They both must find some sort of rest this night in order to continue the fight and bring those at Monument Tower to the base camp. At least, she presumes that is the plan that Aymeric and Handeloup came to the conclusion of.

There is every intention to return to his aches and his strains once she is done sharing what she wishes to. The injuries act up in the cold and Corethas is colder than she remembers it to be. Her own feelings of being cold or aches can wait until he is capable of seeing to them. Perhaps he would not wish to see to them? Alkaid shifts her weight from one hip to the other for a moment of vulnerability.

His face falls and her gaze softens. Water gathers within her eyes. She agrees entirely with the thoughts that his expressions share. While she understood the emotion and duty that drove Emet-Selch? The reality is that their reality changed. There was no guarantee that the lives fed to Zodiark would be restored. There was no guarantee that those who had been sundered would be able to return as they would. So much was placed on hopes and dreams without the proof that it would work. At least they had an idea and enough pieces to make the cure to tempering a reality. They had enough power and strength to free Doma and Gyr Abania, to bring an end to the Dragonsong War. There must be proof of conviction and the possibility that it might work in the end... not only hopes and dreams.

Her head tilts as she watches the thoughts flicker across his face. She does not intend to rush him through conclusions or understandings. Hearing of these places and being unable to see them must seem like myths and fairytales. ]

I can understand as well. But, the cost of it all? The lives on each of the reflections, and the Source, regardless of being reborn in the aetheric sea... Emet-Selch did not see us as living beings. Not in the way that you and I do. [ Her gaze falls to the image in her hands. ] Everything to him was broken from how it should have been. He justified that it did not matter what happened to the world or the lives around him in our current state because it was not how it ought to be. Just pale reflections of what once was.

[ She lowers the notebook to her lap then. Eyebrows knit upwards once more as she struggles with saying what she truly wishes to ask him. ]

It was not just the world that Hydaelyn sundered. Every living thing on the star was broken into fourteen pieces as well. Animals, creatures, plants... us.

[ Alkaid frowns as her hands begin to shake uncontrollably. What if he rejects the notion she has wondered for so long? Of course, her time in Amaurot made her expand on her initial idea. She had thought that perhaps she and Aymeric may have had several lives together--or perhaps none and that is why the need to be with him is so strong. The idea has stuck with her since then as it expanded to the concept that perhaps it was not life after life due to Calamities, but a life in the ancient world. One cut short when the world started to come undone and Zodiark and Hydaelyn had their confrontation that led to the Sundering. Perhaps that is why... they are seven times rejoined...

She raises her gaze to him once more. Deep down, she knows it is not an idea, but something she truly believes. Something in her soul pushes the idea into the realm of truth. She has searched for him for so long...and she does not think this but she knows this to be true. Whoever they were before has echoed throughout their many lives reborn. The only thing she wishes she knew is if this was the first life since those ancient days that they have been able to be together. ]

E-every soul on our star existed as a whole one in the days of Amaurot. A piece of our souls went to each reflection when Hydaelyn made it. A-and every time a Rejoining happens due to a Calamity? That piece of our souls returns... bringing us one step closer to who we were before... but at the cost of everything those reflections became and grew to be in with their own right. Seven calamities means our souls have been rejoined seven times.

[ Then, her throat clenches around the words. She holds the notebook up between them once more even if she can barely hold onto it now. Their ancient names and lives may be lost to time, but the love she feels for him runs so very deep into her soul. That must be why she fears the idea that he may reject her now. ]

...you and I, Aymeric... the pair of us... we... we could have...

[ Gods, she prays that he might understand her meaning by the expression on her face. The words will not come forward no matter how hard she tries. There is no doubt in her mind he is her soulmate. Why else would she wish for only one mate despite every notion of her clan? What else could it be when she knew she loved him from the moment they first met at Camp Dragonhead? Far too much of it makes sense in her mind even before the strong notion in her soul that it is true. ]

[thewayforpeace]

[ Aymeric's thoughts and emotions seem to be churning and swirling the longer he listens to Alkaid speak. It is clear that he sympathizes with Emet-Selch to an extent, but as Alkaid has already pointed out, the Ascian crossed a line. And everything after that line is everything that Aymeric cannot agree with nor condone.

He has become so engrossed in Alkaid's explanations that the chill and his aches have all but been forgotten. In time, they will make themselves known once more, but for the moment, all of his attention is on her and what she is saying. ]

That is all but unacceptable to me. Are all of us not alive and breathing? And what of thinking and feeling? As difficult as it is for me to comprehend, I do not dispute your account concerning the reflections and the sundering. What I do take issue with is Emet-Selch's belief that those of us who call this world- the Source home are not truly living. I cannot imagine that the good people that I have had the privilege of knowing and working alongside are merely broken pieces of who they ought to be.

Well, I suppose that we may very well be broken, but we are no less alive. You are no less alive.

[ His resolve and his belief is clear in his voice and in the look on his face, but there is still no small amount of regret concerning all the living things that were broken when the sundering occurred. Still, he imagines that no one would have truly known of it and so, they would not have experienced any ill effects. He would not have known had Alkaid not shared all of this with him. And so he supposes that those who lived their lives on those fourteen pieces were not any the wiser. ]

Something about this troubles you, does it not? Or rather, troubles you further.

[ He can see how her hands shake and the fear that seems to grip her. He has tried his best to ease her fears, to be as comforting as he can, but there is still something more that he has not yet found a way to soothe. When she speaks again, he falls silent so that he might listen and let what she says truly sink in. ]

Ah. [ Her words are halting, even uncertain, and his gaze travels to rest upon the notebook that she holds up between them. ]

We might have known each other on this Amaurot when all was whole. And what is more, we may well have continued to know each other through all of these Rejoinings. But our true selves, or rather, our selves that were whole and unsundered could have been acquainted even so long ago.

[ Then he smiles, believing that he has done his best to follow along with her and to understand everything she is telling him. ]

Perhaps that is why I feel... I feel as though I have known you for far longer than it has been since we first met that day at Camp Dragonhead. At first, I believed it to be a mere flight of fancy, an idle thought, but now... I cannot help but wonder if there might be some truth to it after all.

[ And having said that, he reaches to take hold of both her hands so that he might give them a warm squeeze. ]

[shepherdtostars]

I suppose he saw it as we are not alive as we ought to be. As we should be. S-so, it matters not if the lives we have now or our thoughts and feelings are as they are. He was blinded by what was to the point he could not see what is.

W-we ended his life. [ Her gaze drops for a brief moment. ] We had the help of the Warrior of Light from the First... the only one left. He was a ghost, b-but was able to give us the ability to stop Emet-Selch's plans. A-and all he did in the end was ask that we remember that Amaurot once was... and the people and way life once was...

[ Alkaid raises her gaze back to him. As it is difficult for me to comprehend. Could, then, the idea of them once being together in that ancient life too far fetched for him? Nerves rise in her once more and her ears lower to her head. What if he rebukes the idea? What if he would rather only have this life with her and none in the future? Is she truly enough for him in this life and all others?

The fear has caused a sort of chain reaction that must surely play on her face as he states they are alive. Yes, they are, and she has never once doubted or been caused pause on it. It was the realization that perhaps she and Aymeric had been as they are now in the ancient city that gave her pause. Standing in the streets next to buildings far larger than any mortal race would have need for, the realization came to her. Perhaps that is why she fears losing him so much... she had lost him once... perhaps many times before...

Her ears raise as he continues on. Acquainted. Something inside her disagrees that it was merely that. How could she love him so much if they merely knew of one another? At the very least, she knows that she loved him and still loves him deeply. So much it feels as if it is apart of her being, and she had no idea how much of her had been missing until they came together.

Her hands flex underneath his own before she must bite her lip to keep it from quivering. A surge of emotions find her way up into her. How much and how deeply she loves him, how relieved she is to hear that he at least agrees they must have known one another. How much she has missed him. Not merely through a sundered life, but the times she must be far away from him, and the time he spent buried underneath a primal.

An errant thought comes to mind then: can she truly call him hers in all things?

Alkaid gently puts the sketch to the side. Then, in a moments breath, her arms are around his neck. She buries her face between them to hug him but also to pull him close to her. Tears begin to fall from her fave from the relief of it all, even if he may not fully agree... ]

I love you, [ Alkaid says it despite the tears and shakes that have consumed her person. Her hands curl into his shirt in a familiar way and she presses her front to his. An overwhelming sense of emotions take her. She must tell him it at the very least. ] I love you. I-I always have--the moment we met... I miss you so much when we are away from another... I've missed you.

[ Truth be told, she is not sure if it's merely in this life she speaks of or their ancient life so many eons ago. It may not have mattered either way, if not for the surge of emotions that rise in her and desperately try to reach out to him. Emotions that come from so very deep inside her that she must find a way to express to Aymeric when she is so terrible at expressing them. ]

[thewayforpeace]

[ He shakes his head. To him, that seems like splitting hairs. ]

Is that not only focusing on nuance? I expect that it was important for him, but I do not see how our lives now and everything that makes us who we are ceases to matter or renders us not alive according to his standards.

[ Whatever those standards are. At her next words, his voice hardens with resolve. Taking a life is never an easy decision, and he knows that it is not one that either of the Warriors of Light take lightly. Although he does not mention it aloud, his thoughts have strayed to think about his father. But his thoughts concerning him are brief and he focuses back on Alkaid, meeting her gaze. ]

Lantaa, what can I do? It seems clear that everything that you have seen about these days long past has left a mark upon you, and I would venture as far as to say it has become a weight upon your shoulders. How might I help remove it?

[ He barely finishes speaking those words before she begins speaking again herself, and what she says causess his grip upon her hands to tighten just a fraction. He knows that she loves and misses him, and he has seen just how deeply both of those things run. They run as deeply as his own love for her and longing when she is far away from him. ]

I have never doubted that for a moment, simply because the amount of love I have for you is just as great. And you have seen quite clearly that I miss you greatly when you are away.

[ He is having to reframe his thoughts in light of the information he has been given. ]

If I have understood your words correctly, we lack a way to discern whether or not we were together in those days long gone and just how deeply that togetherness went. But I- [ His lips turn up once again into a smile. ] I choose to believe that we were every bit as close as we are now.

[ And then, naturally, that raises the question of what happened to them when that ancient world was sundered. But he decides they can address one thing at a time. ]