A Knight's Lilies

"Ekaterina, LIGHTFALL has informed me of your request and I have approved it. Team Ocelot has been deployed alongside an Adventuring Guild squadron to investigate your readings. Preliminary findings indicate that your predictions hold merit and worse, that they were too generous in the margin of error. The situation might be worse than we expected. If you receive this message in time, inform TWINSTAR of the predicament and advise urgent authorisation of the Argent Curia to be on standby within the region."

- Thane Gauthir Weylen, Armed Forces Of New Berenia, "Letter To Dr. Ekaterina Yotkin"

"A field of fire, huh? Damn hells. That must've been… terrifying, awe inspiring." Lucinia mused.

"Exactly." Sophie bobbed her head, "Imagine, a city that stretched for the length of the cavern, its buildings reaching almost halfway up. And what looked like an entire mountainside of clockwork artillery raining down and explosive shower upon the forces of the Echoes like a thousand fireballs. Compared to up here? They would have no rivals. The walls shook and the ground quaked with every volley, a flash of brilliant light before their shells pulverized the monsters in their wake." Sophie dramatically mimed explosions.

"That… I will admit, I would've liked to see that. Though I'm under no illusion that I would be able to withstand the sight or sound of it."

"Shame we won't have that kind of fire power in the Mistveil, that would make things a lot easier. Just blasting the undead forest apart." Sophia quipped.

The two others grunted. It was an absurd statement in itself, after all, where would they simply find cannons to lug around. But there was merit in it all the same. Bone and flesh were just that, bone and flesh. Be it propelled by magicks or cursed to rise once more, the undead that walked normally shared the same weakness that decomposed things usually did. They were brittle and prone to being shattered. Whether using a fireball or the power of explosives and clockwork, the result would be the same.

"So… I hope you don't mind me asking, but what exactly are we supposed to find in Eichafen?" Lucinia asked after a spot of silence.

"What do you mean?"

"The court's adjudicator told you to search for the truth or some other such vagaries, but is there anything actually substantive in his statement? Or is this just some wild chase to distract you with? Because, and feel free to correct me here if I'm wrong," Lucinia tutted, "Eichafen is a destroyed town. Therefore we'd be unable to resupply there if we're there too long."

"That… is true. Your point?"

"What is the plan, Sophie? I'm not trying to be rude here, but we can't just sit around undead ruins for weeks on end."

"We just left Neun Carad, Lucinia. We'll think of something."

"We better." Lucinia grunted, dissatisfied by placated for now.

Sophie replied with a grunt of her own. An acknowledgement of Lucinia's concern and the daunting task that was now laid before them. On the bright side, that was for them to worry about later, for now, their focus was to reach the Rosengart duchy.

Sophie let out an involuntary sigh. Home, huh? Home in a way, I suppose. Though I doubt the Duke and Duchess would welcome me back as readily as they did before. She instinctively sought comfort from Ary's presence beside her, hand hand reaching lower to grab onto Ary's. Ary looked up, searching her eyes for an explanation before gently grasping Sophie's hand and soothingly caressing the back of it.

She was almost ashamed at how easily she could draw strength from Ary. In a way, it felt almost as if she was taking advantage of Ary's openness and kindness. The unreserved nature of her support, the unquestioning nature of it. And so often I make her worry. If only things could be more peaceful, more quiet.

Her fingers played with Ary's as they intertwined. The quiet comfort made her grin unabashedly at the girl. Ary stared at her suspiciously, her eyes narrowed as she pulled her face closer to examine Sophie. Then her expression softened and she let out a small giggle and leaned forward to peck Sophie on the cheek.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Sophia and Lucinia trading a glance. The two of them collectively rolled their eyes. She took the opportunity to tease the others a bit more and nuzzled Ary, the redhead a little surprised by the sudden movement but leaning in quickly enough, letting out a contented purr. Yana clambered to the side of Ary's head and gave Sophie a soft yet forceful kick of disdain.

Sophie shot a glare at the faerie. Though Yana proudly stood her ground, hands on her hips as she pouted and glared right back at her.

"Alright everyone, relax for a bit, looks like the others aren't planning to stop soon which means we have a ways to go." Sophia announced from the front, "But don't relax too much, eh? Save that for when we get a room." She scoffed.

The duo shared a bashful giggle as Lucinia just groaned and leaned to look out the black of the wagon. Yeah, Sophie leaned back against Ary, relax a little, but not too much, heh.

A few smaller towns and villages drifted by the wayside, some connected directly to the main Carradorian roadway, others with more modern paths still in good repair. Occasionally a city or two would rise out of the treelines in the distance, the breaking open of the trees to reveal vast swathes of fertile grazing land similar, if a bit steeper and varied than that around the capitol.

Beyond the gentle clattering of horse hooves and wheels, they would even sometimes pass by a traveller or two. Peasants heading towards a market or bigger city to ply their wares. Once or twice, a reiter patrol of armed horsemen would pass by, confrontation avoided through the good graces of the newly restored Lady Rosengart and the Carradorian Red Hawk knights. A merchant caravan even passed by at some point, allowing the party to quickly restock on some dried jerky meats to keep both boredom and hunger at bay.

Under the now late afternoon sun and grayish blue skies, the caravan rumbled ever onwards. Soon plains gave way to more forests, the thick pines and firs now dotting the landscape, carving out large swathes of dark green against the vibrant flower meadows before them. Dozens of rivers flowed down from the icey peaks of the Highwall to criss cross the land, the rivers all feeding into the eponymous lake that gave the valley its namesake of the Carradorian Basin.

Then, there it was. Crossing over a wide cobblestone bridge and a a military checkpoint. The forests of northern Carrador now slowly stretched sideways to form what could almost resemble a wall of sorts. Cities and towns still occasionally broke through the treeline, but it was the location itself that Sophie recognized from her youth. The 'pine wall' that separated central Carrador from the northern domain. That boundary that marked the start edge of Grand Duke Walden's northern fiefdom and frontier. A land that screamed to her of a thing that she was unsure if she could no longer call it, home.

Where the structures in the central Carradorian plains were elegant, rounded, and oftentimes beautiful and inspiring to one's heart. Each element and architecture flourish giving rise to something both practical and wondrous, much like the images she held in her mind about the lands that her books described. Northern Carrador was a land of angles, edges and thick walls to bear the brunt of great northern war that has thus far thankfully never comes even when counting the skirmish against Melton. Heavy set buildings more wide than tall, more square and blocky began to make up most of the structures here. Even the castles of the nobility were geared more for withstanding sieges and hiding within than to sustain and aid in the mustering of troops like those in the center or southwest. Unlike the east, at least, without the ever present threat of a large scale Traxian invasion, the castles here did not need walls upon walls beyond the thick outer layer.

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Against this backdrop of trees, castles, and other positions of strategic importance was the Rosengart demesne. Tucked beyond the towns of Kierstadt and Viaumstadt, but before the last line of Grand Duke Walden's northern fortresses at Nordfestung, lay a moderately sized town and the noble family that has held vigil over it for the past decades if not centuries.

Under the shelter of the woods and stone walls, the Rosengart family had been granted a large tract of cleared land to manage. Their name derived from the vast gardens and greenhouses that their ancestors managed to cultivate. The roses of the north.

It had been more than a year since she was last here. A short measurement of time in the span of her life, and yet it felt so much longer considering all that had happened since then. She wondered how the gardens were, how the greenhouses were and more importantly, how Eva's planters of white roses were doing ever since the girl's absence from home.

While she could reminisce over many things, there were a few more notable ones that she did not find any particular enthusiasm to see again. Chief amongst the Duke and Duchess alongside the head maid Hilda, if she was still there.

More worryingly was the other point that had been raised during the court proceedings. Her kidnapping didn't just occur along the way or at a transfer point, but within the grounds of the ducal estate itself. A terrifying proposition let alone it being considered a crime. To her, it meant three things. That there was someone that had been after her, that the estate was more vulnerable than it let on, and that there were certainly members of the household, be it staff or otherwise, that had seen fit to guide her captors to her that night. After all, she had intended to travel to the Academy with Eva in the following days. Whoever it might've been could still, would still be here, and that was an unsettling thought. At least now she had enough allies and firepower with their strength to possibly even take out a regiment of miltia troopers. Of lone kidnappers she had little fear, only that Eva was the one who would be returning her and thus be the one in potential danger with hostiles abound.

"We're close now." Sophie whispered.

"Lot's of trees, how very elfin." Lucinia commented dryly.

"I think it's pretty. It doesn't look as threatening as you made it sound like." Ary quipped.

"I didn't say it wasn't pretty." Lucinia scowled.

"It's just beyond the southern boundary of the Mistveil. This part of the Roterwald, the red forest. Though as you can see, the trees are green, heh." Sophie hummed.

"Heh."

"So why the red forest?" Lucinia drawled, "Seems a bit silly to keep the wrong name."

Sophie's cheer dropped a little, "History. When the Myndir controlled."

"Ah."

"From what I remember from the history lessons Eva gave me, it had to do with the Myndir experiments. Awful stuff, apparently. Enough that the forests ran red with blood. Part of the reason why the northern woods, the Mistveil, that is, is so cursed. Or so they say."

"Well that's awfully grim." Lucinia grumbled, "That's why no one likes the Myndiri."

"Hah. But the people here wanted to remember that. Honor the losses that happened here. At least, that's what the history books says. Though who knows at this point." Sophie shrugged nonchalantly.

"At least the spirits don't feel too disturbed here." Ary muttered, "Although…"

Her gaze travelled to the wagon at the rear of the caravan, drawing the others towards it. The warnings that Sigrid had been trying to warn them about. The eerie sense of wrongness that flowed in from the northern reaches.

Sophie shuddered. She knew the Mistveil was dangerous, for her and the others. That wasn't even considering the horrors that lurked up on the Frostwinds. Reflecting on that, Sophie was now that much more certain that she had to tackle the Eichafen matter safely. And without the others.

Sophia evidently caught a sliver of her thoughts and turned to look at her. Sophie just tried to discreetly shake her head. Not now.

If you say so. Sophia sent her the thought while letting out a grunt.

"I'm worried, Sophie. Sigrid's more attuned to the earth than I am, of that I am certain now. And if she is worried about the spirits and the earth, then I believe in her warnings." Ary whispered.

"The mage speaks of danger, of which to you is no longer a stranger." Yana echoed eerily.

"I know that." Sophie answered her.

"Be careful, that's all." Ary pressed up against Sophie.

The two of them sighed into each other. This time, Lucinia did not scoff or tease her, the Traxian just glumly turning her gaze back out the back of the wagon.

For Sophie, it was a strange feeling. To know that so many cared for her now, even Lucinia to some extent. It was humbling in its own way, and she vowed to herself that she would live up to their expectations and then some. That she would find the end of this long trail that she had been set upon so that they would all earn some well deserved peace.

One good thing to come out of this current batch of chaos was her return to the Rosengart estate. Though it was ostensibly as a guest and her stay brief. Not only could she spend some time showing it off to her friends. But she could hopefully find a little more time with Eva before her mistress would find herself more preoccupied with affairs related to a Carradorian royal.

She did feel a little saddened when she recalled the grueling training that she had to go through back then. Her innate clumsiness and difficulty in learning the appropriate courtly manners often landed her in trouble. It was also perhaps a little depressing when she tried to wonder about how the staff would react to her return. Would they even care? Do they even remember? Hilda would be most displeased, that much she was certain of. The head steward too, if he was still around.

Then there was the Rosengart family. While the Duke would likely be preoccupied by the ball, court, and whatever else the nobles were celebrating in the capital. His children were not. According to Eva, both Mortiz and Theodore would be around, a most distressing piece of news to Sophie given their dislike of her. It mattered even more now because of Eva's recently regained status. Of all the things she was afraid of provoking now, it was to jeopardize Eva's return by antagonizing the brothers. At least Mortiz seemed to have mellowed out a bit more with Princess Samantha's influence. Theodore still remained a mystery to her, as he always had.

Banishing the negative thoughts from her mind, she instead tried to create a list of things she wanted to show the others, in particular Ary. The gardens and greenhouses were right at the top of it. With the girl's ever growing curiosity and a connection with the land itself, the small fragment of preserved nature with species from around Carrador was much like Arteria's own greenhouses. She smiled a little at the image of Ary just examining the petals and leaves in detail. The focused look that she often got when she was lost deep in thought.

She supposed the estate would also be a good time to show the others what else Carradorian cuisine could encompass beyond the fancy ball and what limited selection there was in Arteria. Game meats that were often marinated and seasoned with a plethora of wild and flavorful herbs growing naturally all around them. Hearty soups and other dishes that could keep one full for hours. Although she supposed that the preparations for the meals would be left to the unfortunate discretion of the household staff or Eva's brothers, unless Eva could take charge.

Whatever the case, she hoped the others would enjoy their time here. Certainly get used to things for a bit too. For she knew that lingering here would be far safer than in the Mistveil. With Eva and the saints already quartering at the estate for at least another week and a half, Sophie hoped that their number would include Ary and the others. After all, there were simply too many factors and danger in the woods to account for. The loss of the old Runebound and Eichafen as a whole were more than enough proof for her that the others needed to be out of harm's way. Even if Arantos wasn't actively involved like the betrayer had been when Riza was taken, the risk was too great.

Her plan was a simple, dangerous, but likely efficient one. If Mila was willing, then she would go with her to Eichafen. If not, she would remain with the Rosengart's to protect the others. Otherwise, she would replicate her speedy investigations in the deep alongside Sophia. For Elaria and Raylani would be crucial to charm the household, Sigrid and Hanabi could keep a more watchful and forceful eye on the others, while Ary and the others could busy themselves with the estate and whatever activities Eva might have for them and the saints.

She held no illusion that what was planned to be a brief investigative excursion into Eichafen could end in disaster. But she had faith in Sophia and the Carradorians who would be accompanying her if only because they had been ordered to watch over her. That left the wild cards of Sir Taurox and Grorok. Both of whom, Goddess willing, could prove to be invaluable combat and manpower to augment the investigation. After all, this was the same expeditionary plan she had in mind for the Frostwinds as well. A fast, light scouting detachment with the supply wagon being more heavily protected. There would undoubtedly be risk, but this was the only way she could think of mitigating them in any reasonable capacity.

She stifled a groan and shook her head. Such worries did little good for her already chaotic mental state. For now, she forced herself to refocus on the most important and pressing matter at hand. How to help the others enjoy their time at the Rosengart estate. She almost chuckled out loud. One thing at a time, Soph, one thing at a time. It's all already overwhelming as it is. No need to stress out more. Right? Right?