Completed The Noblest of Deeds

[Alistair Krixus]

Alistair's head dropped back into the pillow behind him as he just stared blankly up at the ceiling. What had he given up just then? The recognition of such a monumental feat which would surely be spoken about for months...The only thing giving him comfort was a single thought. They were dreadlords. There would be more cities to conquer and save.

He glanced over to Kristen out of the corner of his eye, not wanting to move too much.

"That was well said Kristen. Your words might be the beginnings of restoring one of the larger divides among the Great Houses. Saving this city might not be the only important thing you did for Vel Anir on this day."

From what he said, he knew it wasn't that easy. He had seen her that night a few days ago, so close to slaughtering Walter in revenge. Alistair could not possibly know exactly what she had been through, but he understood better than most that wrath like that did not simply go away.

It would simmer, and more often than not, there was only one-way such wrath was resolved.

Kristen Pirian

 

[Kristen Pirian]

Kristen smiled shyly, only catching that sidelong glance from him briefly before looking down at her knees. "I am training for war, and yet I am striving for peace." She thought about that; the words had come spur of the moment but they were worthy of a deeper consideration. "A fine ethos, I would say. Mayhap many a warrior who has come before me adopted the same."

Goodwill between House Banick and House Pirian. Certainly Father and Uncle Tobias thought they would never see the day (oh, but if only she could tell them what happened here!). This one sole act would not turn everything around though, no—she mustn't get ahead of herself. It would be wondrous if she lived long enough to see the day.

Of course...that said...

She thought of telling Alistair. Telling him what Walter whispered to her when he thought his life to be in jeopardy. A colossal eight words he had whispered to her, enough to imperil a shattering of the goodwill between Banicks and Pirians she had only just wished for.

Not yet...not yet. Kristen trusted Alistair and resolved that she would tell him (truly, there was no one better positioned than him to understand), but it could wait. For now, they needed only to rest and get better.

Speaking of, an awful itch in her throat prompted her to get up from Alistair's bed and return to her own, picking up the bucket and holding it atop her crossed legs. She coughed once, but knew more (and their slimy passengers of phlegm) were coming.

"Ugh...why did it have to be a rotten disease sorcerer whom we fought?"

Alistair Krixus

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Alistair winced at his friend's cough, but also lightly laughed given the situation.

"Well, I heard the unicorn summoning Dreadlord was on holiday." He offered jokingly, but then remembered he had once seen a unicorn skewer two soldiers in one go, and that Dreadlord suddenly seemed far more dangerous.

"It wasn't just a disease sorcerer. I heard him called the 'Master of Decay'. Some of that was likely bravado, but he was supposed to be one of the more skilled Dreadlords. The way he wielded that mace was impressive, and that was probably his weakest skill."

Looking back on it again, it was truly amazing that they had managed to pull something like that off, or technically...they didn't.

Alistair just continued looking up at the ceiling. The rest of the day would inevitably be spent trying to avoid any movement so his ribs did not hurt him, while also listening as Kristen coughed up a lung.

Kristen Pirian

 

[Kristen Pirian]

"Oh! That would have been love-luuuuwaaggghhh!"

She had meant to say lovely, meshing her reply with a lightheartedness to match Alistair's initial joke, but what followed were a bunch of very unladylike sounds into the bucket. Ohhhhhhh she was so glad Lord Theodore and the entirety of House Banick hadn't come too late or too soon and seen any of this. It was bad enough that Alistair had to listen to it. Yet her pneumonia and accompanying fever cut out quite firmly any rattling of embarrassment, though it was sure to haunt her later.

Kristen finally lifted her head from the bucket, looking disheveled and exhausted, loose strands of hair clinging to her forehead and face. But this coughing and sputtering fit seemed over.

Alistair elaborated some things he had heard of Berj, and amazement dawned on Kristen. The sheer magnitude of their accomplishment struck her with resounding force. Goosebumps arose on her arms and neck.

"Goodness, that's...my..." She blinked rapidly, taking a second to get her thoughts in order, "Alistair...we defeated a Dreadlord. A full Dread—"

Then suddenly she threw her head back and laughed loudly, the sound full of frustration and vexation.

"And we cannot even speak a word of this feat to our peers and our Proctors! Arrrrggghhh! Proctor Magomo would have been placated, at least for a time, if only he knew!"

Then she sighed. Shrugged. What could they do? It was their lot to be the unsung heroes of Ostia Anir.

Alistair Krixus

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Alistair was silent for the longest time. Kristen putting a voice to his recent thoughts only made the realization sting even more. How was he supposed to do all of this if none of it mattered?

His father had once claimed that Alistair's career would be the vessel that the family used to climb to greater heights, but how had he planned on doing it? He had just pulled off one of the more impressive feats by an initiate in recent years, and he had nothing to show for it. He could not through this feat around to gain leverage. He had not gained anything, except the removal of a few bad marks. His family's finances were still in the red.

It all just seemed...hopeless in that regard. Was he going to be condemned as the last patriarch of House Krixus? To be known as the great Dreadlord while his family faded into history?

"I think I am going to request some leave to travel, immediately after graduation. I have already be granted time to get my family affairs in order while in the reserve. Hopefully, I can extend that to some time outside the Republic."

He wasn't sure exactly where he was going, or what he would get out of it. Well, he knew he needed to make a stop in Ragash to pick something up, but he just...needed to find something else.

Kristen Pirian

 

[Kristen Pirian]

"A splendid idea!" Kristen said. "And, truly, a boon which only comes from being in the Reserves: the whole of Arethil remains open to you, as does your home of Vel Anir."

Leave time while in active military service, she imagined, would be quite limited, and Exile? The worst of all three options available to them.

"I hope all goes well for you, for your family affairs, and your travel outside the Republic."

And she thought of her own affairs. Yes, taking some leave from Vel Anir upon graduation would be good. Kristen stroked her chin, porcelain fingers gliding gently up and then down, and then she shared her own plans.

"I, too, will have business outside of the Republic." She smiled grandly. "It is my wish to become an ordained priestess of Aionus, and therefore a pilgrimage to sacred Mount Dincia is in order."

Alistair Krixus

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Alistair considered himself well-read on many subjects, but he would admit that he often avoided religious subjects. The whole concept of religion was...illogical to him, but he understood that it worked for others, especially Kristen.

"Mount Dincia, I don't believe I know where that is. If you require an escort...or just a friend then I would be happy to accompany you."

It did not really matter to Alistair what direction he went when he left. All that mattered was getting away for a bit. Using the journey to learn some things and maybe gain some things along the way.

"Forgive me if this is a personal question, but...what do you gain from becoming a priestess of Aionus? Or I guess what I mean is whose approval do you need?"

It would seem to Alistair that Kristen was already ordained by the god himself, seeing as her powers were from him. Would not most people see it as that?

Kristen Pirian

 

[Kristen Pirian]

Kristen swelled with an excitement that surprised even her (mayhap due to the little thing between them that neither would yet speak of?) and replied, "And I would be happy to have you, Alistair."

Even using one of Aionus's holy Portal Stones for the journey, a trek across the Spine would be long and treacherous indeed, and that was to say nothing of the ascent up Mount Dincia itself. Celestialists claimed, naturally, that it was the highest peak on Arethil. Kristen didn't know whether this was true or not, yet it remained that Mount Dincia was certainly a formidable climb, even if the Holy Temple of Astra did not rest exactly at the very top.

Then came his question. Well, two different questions, but his meaning was more clearly established with the latter one.

"Vel Anir, unfortunately, maintains no establishment of Celestialist clergy." Nor any religion for that matter, but such was a plain and obvious fact, even if Kristen found it woeful. "Thus it is that I must go abroad to seek ordination—approval, as you said, from Astra's representatives on Arethil. Which is merely to say from other priests and priestesses. Not only must they assess my theological understanding, discern if I am able to perform competently the sacred rites and rituals, but as well determine if my gifts are truly bestowed from Aionus."

She smiled confidently. "Of this latter part, I have no worries."

Alistair Krixus

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Alistair nodded slowly in understanding at her explanation. It occurred to Alistair that maybe he did not like the hierarchical structure of religion, but quickly realized that was his Anirian bias because he dealt with hierarchies all the time.

Except, the hierarchies he dealt with were things he could end up at the top. It was unlikely, but he could be an Archon or an important noble, in theory. However, he would never be a god.

A small irritated part of him also did not like the idea that someone could possibly tell Kristen that she was not good enough for Aionus. She was the most pious person he had ever met. If they did not accept her, then it was they who were wrong, not her.

"That all seems...complicated." To say the least.

He also just realized he had no idea how far this journey he had just committed to was. For all he knew this could be on the other side of the world...Did it matter? He looked over to Kristen who was smiling with excitement. No, not really.

Kristen Pirian

 

[Kristen Pirian]

"I suppose..." Kristen began, thinking of a way for Alistair to relate to it, "...you could think of it as studying for a test, not in essence particularly unlike those we've done in the Academy."

Of course, despite whatever preparations she could make, Kristen wouldn't really know what exactly it would all entail until she actually went to Mount Dincia. Or...maybe...she could find a priest or priestess of Celestialism out in the world somewhere. Oh, but she had the perfect opportunity to do that whilst in Elbion during the cultural exchange! If only!

Well. Actually...

"If in your travels following graduation you encounter a priest or priestess of Celestialism, do tell them of me, and have them write if they would. I certainly do have questions I would love to ask."

Then, with curiosity brimming over just enough, Kristen asked, "Where were you planning on going? Or are you still deciding precisely where you might go?"

Alistair Krixus

 

[Alistair Krixus]

That...did help in a way. It was just a test like at the Academy, sure the subject was weird, but anything he had not studied for would seem weird. Of course, it was like the Headmaster was some all-knowing, never present being.

"I'll keep that in mind...Although, I don't know if I would be too good at making friends with priests and priestesses."

Alistair knew he could sometimes be suspicious of the clergy, partly because he did not have much experience with them. Even Kristen's religious monologues sometimes left Alistair speechless. She was easier to understand thanks to the commonality of them being initiates.

"Oh, not entirely. I know I need to make a stop in Vel Lameus and Ragash, but besides that. I have no idea. I guess out east since the elves to the south would not be very friendly."

Kristen Pirian

 

[Kristen Pirian]

Vel Lameus. And Ragash! The Empire might be the rival to eclipse even those not very friendly elves to the south in these more recent times, but its major cities were so often described as "jewels" or "treasures" in the desert that Kristen longed to see them for herself. Even if...she didn't quite have the best history with deserts.

She smiled graciously and said, "Well, you, Alistair, shall be my envy upon your graduation, traveling as you will be to such great loc—"

The word locales was interrupted much in the manner the word lovely had been moments prior with a sudden coughing fit. Fortunately it wasn't nearly as messy this time, even if all of the godawful sounds she was making Alistair was sure to find very unbecoming. Or maybe not? She supposed that...mayhap it was the ability to see one another in such unflattering states and keep one's judgment in level order which was the true marker of a—

...friend? More than friend? The precise word to describe herself and Alistair was fiercely eluding her now. Their kiss made things...different. At least to her. Time would tell if the little ember sparked here in Ostia Anir would grow to a flame.

In the meantime, Kristen placed the bucket back down beside her bed and lay back. Maybe if the fever subsided again she could read, but now? Just laying down was nice enough.

"Ughhhh...here's to a day of rest. Well earned."

Alistair Krixus

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Well, he did not have the heart to tell her that he would be spending as little time in Ragash as possible. In fact, the longer he was there, then the more likely something had gone wrong. She seemed so excited about it though.

"I'll be sure to try and pick you up a souvenir," Alistair answered jokingly.

His attempt at laughing at his own joke was cut off by Kristen's coughing fit. The sound made him wince, not in disgust, but in pity. It sounded rough like rocks were rubbing together in her throat.

Alistair leaned back in his own bed as Kristen laid back in hers. While his ribs were the most painful injury on his body, that did not mean it was the only one. The bone on his forearm had been broken and then mended by a healer, but he could feel the tenderness. Add in some small fractures and bruises and today was going to be a long day.

"Yes...a very long day of rest."

Kristen Pirian

 

[Kristen Pirian]

VEL AERELOS, COUNCILORS' HALLS​

Councilor Berenger finished writing the second of two reports and put away his quill. He reached for the bottle of wax and his stamp and upon both reports placed the seal of his office. He turned the reports around and slid them across his desk to both Kristen and Alistair sitting across from him.

"And there you are," he said to them. "Present these reports to your respective Proctors. All that I have done was commend your service to the task requested of you, without going into any specific detail—it should be enough to satisfy them and grant you full marks for a mission accomplished. If not, instructions on how they might contact me for further inquiries are included, though I doubt your Proctors will find it necessary for such. I imagine their days are busy enough as is, and the lot of them likely despise bureaucratic burdens."

Kristen took her report and set it in her lap. "Thank you kindly, Councilor Berenger."

"Again, fine work in Ostia Anir. Kristen, Alistair, for two so young you both went far above the normal responsibilities of an Initiate and performed admirably, surpassing feats accomplished even by established Dreadlords."

Berenger leaned back in his chair and entwined his hands.

"Have you any questions for me?"

Kristen glanced over to Alistair, smiling a little. Oh yes, there was surely at least one thing both of them would like to know, wasn't there?

Alistair Krixus

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Alistair stood in a military position with his hands behind his back as he waited for the councilor to finish. Thanks to a few more sessions with the healers, all of his major injuries were gone. A few of the more insistent bruises still persisted, but that was just how it was. Of course, the bigger deal was Kristen did not sound like she was going to cough to death.

He has a small smile on his face as he watched the sighed papers slide across the desk. They did not get much from this, but at least they could grab some decent marks for all the work they had done. Remembering the Master of Decay, and the injuries he had caused and realizing it would not be rewarded with...grades made him want to laugh.

Alistair nodded to Kristen with a smile.

"Yes, sir. We would like to know what is to be done with Commander Vogel."

Kristen Pirian

 

[Kristen Pirian]

"Yes, please, Councilor," Kristen concurred. "The actions of Commander Vogel jeopardized not only our own lives, but did in fact ensure the tragedy of many deaths on both sides of the battle at Ostia Anir. Deaths which were entirely avoidable, had he at least listened to us and delayed his attack until confirmation came from the Republic."

Councilor Berenger drew in a breath. Said, "The situation concerning Commander Vogel is still ongoing. The Councilors who pressed for military action against Walter are, of course, trying to mitigate and downplay the damage in order to save face. These same Councilors have even gone so far as to obliquely suggest on the Parliament floor that it is in fact myself who is responsible for the incident at Ostia Anir, saying that I should have informed them of my own plan—while they, at the same time, took it upon themselves to involve the Guard without notifying anyone outside their cabal. Vogel himself is, naturally, claiming that he was merely following his orders, and that he took 'every necessary precaution to ensure the sedition did not spread.'"

Kristen frowned, and Berenger added, "Those same Councilors swept the rug out from beneath their own feet, however, when it came to the matter of Berj Nihels's death. It was quite easy for Lord Neil, Lord Theodore, and I to claim that he perished as an act of battle—battle of course being what those Councilors were seeking anyway. Rest assured, at least no unjust persecution will fall on either of you on that front."

"Do you believe that you and House Pirian and House Banick will be able to successfully argue for punishment against Commander Vogel?"

Councilor Berenger looked from her to Alistair and back.

"I don't know. Our best chance is to win the argument that the Councilors who pressed for the military solution overreached their authority, that they did not first secure the consensus of the Parliament. Yet even then..." Berenger shrugged heavily, "...I think that the best result which will come of this is a precedent in law which ought to prevent another fiasco of this nature from occurring. As for Vogel? It will make for another dubious mark on his command record, but, I will be honest, he may escape without any formal punishment."

Kristen sighed. Looked down at the report in her lap. Even if she tried to use her favor with Berenger, it seemed there wouldn't be much he could actually do.

Aloud, she mused in a mournful tone, "The growing pains of a fledgling new government, it would seem."

Alistair Krixus

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Alistair listened to all of this with his lips pressed into a thin line, as he tightened his hands behind his back. Everything Berrenger said made him angrier and angrier, and yet, it was exactly as he expected. Why had he hoped that for once the Republic could work like it actually needed to?

What had occurred at Ostia Anir was not something that would be solved by a new law. It would continue to occur as long as men of ambition believed they could ignore the law for their own needs. They needed to be shown that their desires would never be above the needs of the Republic.

Besides, it was clear to see. Berrenger was prioritizing his wants over the punishment of Vogel. He would rather have this law passed be the victory of this event rather than the victory being Vogel's punishment.

Alistair was silent for a long moment before moving on. Nothing that he would say on the matter would serve him or the Republic.

"What of House Banick and Walter? What will be done with him?" Would the council agree to follow the stipulations of the agreement that Alistair and Kristen had negotiated?

"And who will be the new governor of Ostia Anir?"

Kristen Pirian

 

[Kristen Pirian]

Berenger smiled. "A blessing in disguise on that first front. With so much ado being made about who is to blame for the foul-up at Ostia Anir, the deal you made with Walter was agreed to and summarily passed. That, at least, is one thing that has gone right."

"That's good," Kristen said. "I would feel terrible if the Republic tried to make some late night amendment to the accord." Walter may have done what he did years ago, still Kristen was trying to settle comfortably into her resolution to forgive him for it, but it would just be rotten and dishonest if the deal were changed—she would have felt like some sort of base swindler.

"As for the governor of Ostia Anir, it is likely the Parliament will give the choice to Theodore Banick. Despite everything, the Republic does not want to appear heavy-handed against the nobility. While in the Republic's eyes Walter had done wrong, Theodore sided with the Republic from the very beginning, so it would be seen as excessively punitive if the title of Ostia Anir was stripped from House Banick. Nobles are..." his gaze bounced between them, "...very protective of their lands, as I'm sure you are both well aware."

Kristen nodded sagely, and then asked, "And...will the incident of the Canal campaign be erased?"

Berenger smiled again, quite confident. "Already done. Now, all anyone will have on the matter is hearsay. I even spoke with Walter on the matter. He was quick to say that his original report to the Academy was 'hyperbolic,' and he nevertheless agreed to support our new narrative if ever he should be asked about it."

Alistair Krixus

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Alistair nodded along with the explanation. The quip about the lands was noticed, but it isn't like House Krixus had much of those, to begin with. Then again, he would probably get pretty angry if they tried to take what little they did have.

So, it was all...finished. A mission that had only taken a small amount of time in the grand scheme of things had felt like it had taken a year to get things done. And now...it was finished with barely a whimper. Relatively few things had actually changed, Vogel would still maintain his position, the Banicks still had Ostia Anir, and the Republic just kept moving along. In the end, the only thing that had changed was Kristen, Alistair, and Kalix would be able to cover up some shame...even though many people had already heard the story by now.

It all seemed so...normal, and it was for that very reason that it was also so frustrating. He sighed inwardly before putting a smile on his face.

"Thank you for the information, sir. Glad we could help." He looked over to Kristen to see if she had any more questions.

Kristen Pirian

 

[Kristen Pirian]

Berenger too glanced over. "Still mulling over that favor, Kristen?"

"In time, the best opportunity will present itself."

"Well, like I said, don't take too long." Berenger stood then, and so did Kristen. "Again, excellent work. I look forward to hearing of your respective graduations and future successes."

"Thank you, Councilor."

And with that, they departed from the office. Were it not for the gorgeous halls of Vel Aerelos, a place seldom visited and whose present sights and sounds assured her that all over the past weeks had happened, Kristen might have thought it all a dream. Still she might after her head found home on her familiar dorm room pillow. The special nature of their mission to Ostia Anir just had a surreal quality to it, yet, despite these thoughts to the contrary, it had all been very real indeed.

Walking through the hall of the Council chambers, Kristen said to Alistair, "I suppose not all endings to such grand tales can be wholly satisfying. I would have loved to see Vogel stripped of his rank and removed from service."

In the back of her mind, she kept track of what Walter had whispered to her. The impetus was here, but she needed a place less public. Just a pocket of less traffic would suffice, where whispers could remain whispers.

Alistair Krixus

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Alistair followed Kristen after offering a polite nod to Berenger in farewell. The sounds of their footfalls as they walked away seemed extra loud to Alistair. Was it the acoustics of the halls of Vel Aerelous, or was it Alistair's own focus on the sound?

Well, that was it. By tomorrow, they would be back to classes at the Academy. Even the standard missions the Academy offered would likely not amount to how important these series of events had felt.

He focused back in on Kristen's words and he could only nod with a small frown on his lips.

"I would not be so sure if that will be the end for Vogel. There are always repercussions for one's actions."

Kristen Pirian

 

[Kristen Pirian]

"Yes..." Kristen said slowly, "...funny that you should say that."

It was striking when, at times, little convergences of circumstance occurred. Some called it fate. Others fortune. Kristen herself was often tempted to call it providence. In any case, what Alistair had just said, there are always repercussions for one's actions, was the perfect impetus behind which she could finally share what Walter whispered.

She wanted to tell him. She needed to tell someone. Being the bearer such secret knowledge pressed upon her like a weight, for it yearned to be known, to be dragged out from its clandestine shadows and into the light.

Once the Councilors' Halls were behind them and they were in the Grand Atrium, Kristen glanced around. Busy, of course, but there were a few choice spots—little corners and nooks in the gargantuan room with vacancy to spare. And the overall din of busyness and other conversations would serve as good enough cover for their own.

"Alistair?" she prompted. "Would you follow me? There is something I should like to speak with you about."

And she pointed over to a small, shaded corner away from the general crowd in the vast open space of the atrium.

Alistair Krixus

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Here? After that entire conversation, Kristen wanted to talk about that kiss here? They had avoided that topic the entire time they were traveling back from Ostia Anir, and now she chose to bring this up when in the halls of governmental decision-making.

It was a little strange, certainly not where he would have chosen to have this talk. Alistair looked around nervously like he expected someone to be trying to listen in on this conversation, which made no sense at all. Who cared about something like this?

Then again, House Pirian was rather powerful, and Kristen was the darling daughter. Surely, she was important and likely had many suitors. Would those suitors be jealous? Was he in danger?

Alistair walked with Kristen over to the shaded corner, suddenly far more weary of those left in the room. Thankfully, Kristen had chosen a secluded corner of the room to speak with him.

"Yes, what is it? Is everything alright?"

Kristen Pirian

 

[Kristen Pirian]

"Yes...no...both."

Kristen couldn't know just what kind of signal that would send in light of Alistair's recent thoughts.

Her slight bit of hesitation didn't help.

"It...Walter whispered something to me before we fought Berj, and it was this." She leaned in, cupped her hand around Alistair's ear, and whispered in turn to him:

"I wasn't alone. Garron and I worked together."

And she drew back. Looking worried.

Alistair Krixus

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Alistair's concern only grew the more hesitant Kristen seemed, especially considering the good events of the last few days. He tensed up as she leaned in close to him, and he paused as he let the whispered words sink in.

Her hesitancy suddenly made a lot more sense. It was about THAT. Alistair did not know much about Garron Banick. Much of his knowledge of the House was limited to Walter and Ralene...

"What do you want to do with him?"

Alistair had been confused when he first heard of these tragic events that first night. To be honest, he had not been a very understanding friend, but...he had committed to this on their way back to Vel Anir. He would help Kristen get what ever revenge she wanted for those horrible events.

Kristen Pirian