I watched the well-dressed Elezen descend the steps toward us after we entered the secondary gate. But I was a bit distracted by the enormity and height of the buildings surrounding us. I’d seen the suffering, injured knights along the journey, as well as orphaned children scurrying in the shadows.
I felt a bit overwhelmed and couldn’t help but ask myself…had we made the right decision? Do I…we…belong here? Though, without Ishgard, no one else wanted us. I couldn’t feel my fingers through my gloves, and my cheeks were burning in the cold. I wasn’t sure I’d ever get used to the weather. Was it never Summer here? Spring?
The well-dressed Elezen bowed to us as we came to a stop in front of him. I pulled my attention from the grandeur of the towers behind him and tried to focus on what he was saying.
He looked at me. “Greetings, Master Grey. On behalf of House Fortemps, I bid you welcome to Ishgard. My lord humbly requests your presence at his residence in the Pillars. If you all would come with me.”
He turned on his heel and began walking up the steps. I followed as best as I could, but I wasn’t a hundred percent yet…and I was feeling it. My pace began to slow as we crossed another courtyard and then ascended another long, set of steps.
Midgardsormr appeared at that moment and landed on my shoulder. He didn’t say anything, but I had the impression he was with me for two reasons. Moral support, in his own way. If I stumbled, he’d chide me. And the second was just my speculation.
Knowing he’d died in the battle with the Garleans in Mor Dona, I wondered if he’d participated in the wars with the Ishgardians… Had he been in this city before? I watched his little head move around as he appeared to take in the sites.
“Asche?”
I looked down to see Tataru beside me. I hadn’t realized I’d stopped walking; I was so intent on watching my little companion. Alphinaud had also stopped a few steps ahead, as did the Manservant.
“Are you all right?” Alphinaud walked back to me and removed his glove. He immediately put his hand on my forehead, moving on his toes to do it. “You’re warm.”
“I’m fine,” I said, a little too softly.
“Master Grey,” the Manservant came swiftly back to me. “I do apologize. My lord has informed us of your condition, and I have overstepped my need to get you out of the cold. Please, we will proceed at a pace that is much better for you.”
I felt heat on my face all right. But not because of a fever. I was embarrassed. They were informed of my condition? From the look of dread on this Elezen’s face…what were they told?
Midgardsormr gave his gruff, slow laugh as he took off from my shoulder but remained in the air, hovering over us. I assumed I’d be seeing more of him now.
I held up my hands. “It’s nothing. I think I’m just overwhelmed at the majesty of the city.”
“You look pale and there are circles under your eyes.” Tataru put her hands on her hips. “Lady Lorelei said that you needed at least six weeks of rest and nourishment to rebuild your strength, and I feel awful that we’ve dragged you out here in this cold…having only let you rest two weeks!”
Several passersby spotted us, and I felt their eyes on me. Many of them pointed and patted their own heads. It was my ears. I should have worn a hood.
The Manservant noticed me looking and stepped in. “Viera are rare here, sir, but we do have a few living within the city. Traders mostly. Many are skilled hunters—the men especially. So don’t let the people’s looks or stares worry you.”
“I’ve been assured none of them will recognize you,” Alphinaud smiled. “The Ishgardians do not tarry too much with the realms outside of their borders. Many have not heard of you, or the Scions.”
I smiled at all of them. “I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine. Really. Please, let us continue?”
The Manservant didn’t look convinced, but he nodded and agreed as before he turned, and we started following him once more.
<Rest…when it is possible> came the little dragon’s voice in my head.
We continued. There were so many stairs…
By the time we reached the Fortemps House, I was sweating in my coat, and I could feel myself shaking. I tried to hide it, but I spotted Haurchefant at the door of the structure, and the Manservant immediately whispered in his ear before moving off.
Haurchefant held out his arms. “The Warrior of Light and his brave companions, walking the streets of Ishgard at last! What a glorious sight! I cannot tell you how long I have waited for this day. Allow me to present to you my family home: Fortemps Manor! I should like nothing more than to show you around, but everyone is gathered to receive you. Come, my friends! Introductions must be made!”
The doors opened and Tataru and Alphinaud filed inside. Haurchefant put his hand on my shoulder. “My dear friend, I have been informed of your exhaustion, and I can see it across your face. Perhaps in my exuberance I was not paying attention to the requirements needed to get you up to fighting grade. Once introductions are finished, and my father is satisfied, a room, washroom, a light soup with some medicinal herbs and of course a mug of co-co will be brought to you in that room. And you are ordered to rest.”
I opened my mouth to protest but he took my shoulders and steered me into the house.
Once inside, the warmth felt so very nice…but I didn’t stop shivering.
When did I start shivering?
We were led into a formal room, with marble floors, high ceilings, expensively upholstered furniture and gold accents on the walls. Standing before us was a very stately looking Elezen, in fine fabrics and a furred collar. And beside him stood two younger Elezens…Haurchefant’s…brothers?
Haurchefant saluted. “My lord, I have returned with the Scions.”
The man I believed was Count Edmont de Fortemps, smiled warmly and held out his hands. “I hope your journey was not too taxing. Master Grey, I have been informed of your condition, and once we are through here, you will be taken to your quarters.”
My eyes widened and I opened my mouth to say something (I had my voice back. I was not going to be as quiet as I was before!).
But Haurchefant, who had stepped behind me, put a hand on my shoulder. He didn’t say anything…but I sort of figured out that arguing with his father would be inappropriate.
Once it was obvious I was not going to protest, Count Edmont looked us over and said, “I, Count Edmont de Fortemps, do bid you welcome. As wards of House Fortemps, you shall be afforded every courtesy. My home is your home.”
Alphinaud stepped forward. “My companions and I are deeply honored, Count Fortemps.”
Count Edmont replied, “The honor is mine, Master Alphinaud. Consider it an expression of our gratitude for your service to Isghgard.”
And then he bowed to us.
Which took all three of us by surprise.
Alphinaud glanced up at me before he spoke. “Forgive me, my lord, but…are you not concerned? To accept foreign guests at such a juncture—especially ones with our…reputation…”
But Count Edmont smiled. “Do not worry yourself on my account. ‘Tis true that Ishgard’s first thought has ever been the war effort, hence the closing of our borders…Yet it is in troubled times, most of all that men should seek allies, don’t you think?”
He looked at the sons and they nodded as well.
He continued, “Granted, my decision will have raised eyebrows in the Vault and in the halls of the other High Houses. But so long as you continue with your altruistic endeavors, I doubt my honored peers will feel moved to voice their concerns.”
Alphinaud nodded. “Then there is naught to fear. Though our numbers are much reduced, we are no less determined to carry on our work.”
“Full glad am I to hear it. Ah, but before you return to your labors, why not take a tour of the city? You would do well, I think, to acquaint yourselves with your new surroundings. You may be here for some time.” He looked at me. “But perhaps not before tomorrow? I believe Master Grey’s health must be maintained and Haurchefant is ready to whisk him away to his rooms. My Manservant will show you and Lady Tataru to yours.”
I caught the snearing look on the older son’s face, but too quickly Haurchefant had his hand on my shoulder again and he was turning me to the door. It opened and we were headed up another set of stairs before we went down a hall and turned right into the first room.
My jaw dropped at the size of the room, and the size of the canopied bed. Haurchefant gestured to a room beside it. “A hot bath with herbs has been drawn for you. I suggest you make use of it before the water cools. One of our healers, Master Lee, one who treated you in Dragonhead, will be in to examine you. Ah, no protests. You are to heal properly. And rest. We gave Lady Lorelei our word, did we not?”
I sighed and he left me alone, closing the door behind him. I looked around. It was a beautiful room, and I removed my coat and hung it in a wardrobe by the door. The bath was indeed ready and smelled of something medicinal. It kind of reminded me of something Oruru put in my bath a long time ago.
I wouldn’t admit it to Haurchefant, but I was exhausted. And achy. All my joints were hurting as I undressed and slipped into the water. It felt so good against my frozen fingers and toes. I made sure not to fall asleep in the tub and when I got out and dried off, I found a neatly folded set of woolen clothing…a button down top and lose fitting pants. They were soft and warm.
I finished the soup and the co-co before Master Lee knocked on the door. He was an older Elezen, with a long white braid and a kind face, much like Haurchefant’s.
“It its so good to see you awake, Master Grey!” He patted my shoulder and gestured for me to get on the bed. I did. “I’m going to check your vitals. I’ll be monitoring you while you’re here until you and I both feel you are once again capable of taking down a summons, right?” He smiled.
I couldn’t help but smile back. “Okay. I can do that.”
“It’s nice to hear your voice as well. I like the accent…Golmoran?”
“Yes sir. Atoel Village. It’s in the North of Golmore, not far from the Doman border.”
All the while he asked me questions, he was examining me. Using his hands that glowed, to smaller instruments Lorelei and the Chirugeons in the Fane had used before.
My eyelids were heavy. It was so warm. I hadn’t even realized there were glowing embers in the grate.
“Master Grey,” he put his hand on my shoulder. “You are running a fever. It’s not concerning but it means you’re still fighting off infection. And we don’t want it to go any higher. So, I’m going to suggest bed rest for at least two days—”
“Two days?!” My newly returned voice cracked at that moment. “Why…why am I running a fever? I’ve had none in over a week.”
He sat down at the desk chair and looked at me. “I am afraid I have no answer for you. Sometimes it’s just our body telling us to slow down, to pay attention to it.” He licked his lips. “Your case…is very different. You perished, Master Grey. It was only for a few seconds, perhaps, but enough to send Haurchefant into a tailspin. He brought you back, but because of that he is always worried about you. He considers you a friend, because of everything you did for him and Lord Aymeric in Coerthas.” He paused again. “Your body may be fighting off things we can’t see or don’t know. You lost a great deal of blood—I’m afraid your accounting of that horrific night in Ul’dah is now one of the best reads the nobles have. Though for now many of them still think the Warrior of Light a fiction.”
I…what?
“So please, if just to ease Haurchefant’s worries…and to heal safely among friends, sleep. Eat. And rest. Please?”
The idea that so many people were reading the report I’d specifically written for Lord Aymeric and Haurchefant as if it were a novel…
I sighed and thought of Haurchefant and his smile. It was hard to know what he worried about, though the lines were on his face, especially on one so young. I nodded. “I will do that,” and then I yawned. “What…what did they put in that soup?”
“A light sedative. To make sure you sleep. Now,” he stood, and I fell back in bed. I felt him slide my legs on the mattress and cover me with the comforter. “Rest, Warrior of Light…”
And I think he left the room.
I sensed Midgardsormr near me, and heard his voice before I slipped away…
<…because the worst has yet to come.>