Arcani 25th, 1451. Rigel, Baskerville. Merrygate District
It'd been six years since Father's passing. Six years of adjusting to his absence and a plethora of other things.
The first thing to adjust to was our home situation. Mother and I decided that we would not go back home. The memory of Father's passing was too painful to even think of staying there. The more logical reason was that our family had become a bit bigger than a three-person home as well as our family status.
On top of the wealth amassed by my Parents, King Luther had also given us the reward money he'd kept to the side for driving away Wulfric. So with a portion of it, we bought a large home in Merrygate, a residential district in Northern Rigel. Many Nobles stayed here and now that we acquired the status the King wanted us to live as such.
Shortly after Father's funeral service Lord Auberon began my training. He took on the Miura twins as pupils as well. "The more the merrier," as he put it. From there I'd learned that Geru and Zuka were far better fighters than I imagined. The former took some time to get to train since he claimed: "He'd only use his swordsmanship for worthy opponents." Something Lord Auberon became within moments of mock combat. The more surprising one out of the two was Zuka however. Let's just say she can be... Intense in combat.
As for my magic training, I'd done what I was instructed by the Goddess. Every fortnight I'd return to her sanctum to recharge the ring she'd given me. I was careful with a couple of years until Ophelia caught me sneaking off one night. She threatened to tell Mother that I'd been sneaking off if I didn't let her come. She'd wanted to be taught by Sister Olivia in the ways of the Sister Inquisitors. This was how I found out that Sister Olivia used to be such a high-class warrior. That certainly explained Commander Tarn's profound reluctance to engage her in combat.
I never told Ophelia the reason why Lady Mana favored me so that would have its cavalcade of issues I was ill-prepared to explain or deal with.
My third and most surprising teacher was Geru on the count I had no idea how to be a Noble. With Princess Aurelia assisting him, Geru gave Mother and me the skills necessary to deal with the rest of the Nobility. At first, we weren't accepted by most of the Noble families on the count of how we became nobles. Without their help, we would've likely been eaten alive by the scrutiny and underhanded tactics to undermine us in many ways.
I wished that was the worst thing we've had to deal with. Three years after my Father's death, Sir Roland was slain. On an expedition to Tenebris, the Dark Continent, an unexpected stampede of monsters appeared. Many would've died had it not been for Sir Roland's sacrifice. It was from then Rory had been thrust into the role of the next Grand Cross. It wasn't a role she hoped for so soon and neither did I. I enjoyed our time together outside of training. Even though I had Ophelia, the Twins, Isabeau, and Mother, Rory was always the one I could go to when I felt my lowest. So for the past three years, I've had to do the same for her.
Which led to today. Every year for the past six years I'd visit Father's grave. Mother and the others accompanied me but I'd always be the last to leave. I'd usually start listing everything I'd done for the past year to Father as though he was still here. I honestly couldn't tell anyone why I did so, I just did. It didn't make me feel any better since he was gone. But it also didn't hurt to try it.
I wished he could see me now. I'd grown much taller since I'd last seen him. Father would've mocked me about getting my height from my Mother. Plus I have seen Rory blush anytime she sees me. I'm not sure what I've been doing other than my usual workout routine in the morning. Then there was the fact my hair was getting longer, to the point I've been trying it up in a ponytail now.
Even though I didn't need them I still wore a pair of spectacles. I'd finally learned the runes needed to enchant them into the same artifact my father made for me.
All of these thoughts over the past six years blinded me to how high the sun was today. Even though it was so early in the year, today was a lovely day. A day my Father would've probably taught his classes outdoors.
As I pushed my spectacles against my nose I'd feel someone entangle their fingers into the ones in my free hand. From the corner of my vision, I saw Rory, smiling as she held onto my arm.
"So... Any reason you're still here?"
"Talking to Father like usual. Telling him you and I married and we're about to have a little one together."
"Come on, you know that hasn't happened... Yet."
"Oh? You mean I have a chance?"
She tried to hide her red face in my arm for a few moments. An amusing sight as of recently.
"You feeling alright?" I asked, "you usually allow me these moments to myself."
She didn't lift her head but I could hear her let out a big sigh as well as feel the warmness of her breath.
"Lord Auberon again?"
She nodded.
"He has gotten a bit grumpier lately. Did you do anything?"
She shook her head this time. Raising my arm I wrapped it around her shoulders and she hugged my side. I started rubbing her head in an attempt to console her.
"Everyone changed after the deaths of our Fathers. Even us, it just takes time to adapt."
"Yes, but does he have to be such an ass about it."
"Careful... Isabeau is rubbing off on you."
"I don't think I could compare to your foul-mouthed maid if I tried. I've never heard someone use the word that rhymes with duck so masterfully before."
"Neither have I..."
We'd briefly shared a giggle at the idea of Isabeau's swearing. To think she'd been reigning it in when we met. But Rory's little moment of levity didn't last very long. She was quiet for a moment yet as they passed by she began to hold onto me a bit tighter.
"I'm guessing you're upset about something else?"
Rory puffed her cheeks and her eyes darted in another direction. She didn't let go of me though I thought she might.
"You know I'm the younger one here? Why not just say you're upset?"
"Because... No matter how hard I try I can't stay mad at you. So if I say it you'll just come up with something logical or heartful and I'll crack right away."
She had a point there. It was then I realized why she was upset. Tomorrow I'd be leaving to register with the League of Guilds. I was eighteen already but I'd been putting off going for a couple of months. I wanted to ensure Mother would be fine.
"You know I won't be gone for too long. Yet you're still angry with me."
"Three months is too long Ragi. Although your Mother treats me as her own daughter I still need you. You're the only other person that can get Auberon off my case."
"Aww... I thought it was because you were madly in love with me," I mused.
Although I said it in jest she didn't seem to appreciate it. "Seriously Ragi... I'm not ready for you to leave. I don't know if I can do this."
She now looked at me, her eyes filled with uncertainty. I didn't know how to help her, but all I could remember was what Father would do for Mother.
Brushing some hair out of her face I put on my biggest smile. "You'll do fine. You're stronger than a lot of the people I know."
"W-Well... Yeah but... I'm still not ready... I wasn't ready for Father to die... I wasn't ready to become the Grand Cross... I'm not sure I'll be ready to even wield Osirian. I'm not like my Father... Nor am I like Augustine. My family needs me to be a leader but I can't even say goodbye to a friend for more than-"
"Stop Rory... It's ok. You'll be fine."
"But what if I won't be!? What if there's a time when I'll mess something up or come short of an expectation? What will I do then?"
This a perplexing question. One I couldn't answer as easily. After a few moments of silence, I thought of something if anything.
"Just... Remember that no matter what happens I'll always believe in you. If nothing else allow that to keep you going."
If I were her I wouldn't be satisfied with that answer. It sounded like something from a storybook.
"Hmm... Fine... Then you must write to me. Every month you're gone. I cannot live without my venting buddy."
"Is that all we are?"
Rory opened her mouth to speak but held herself back. I often wondered what she thought of our relationship.
"Look... Could I have some time to think about that... I do... Well you know... But I don't want to get in the way of your goals. With me being the Grand Cross you're always going to be looked down on or be told you're not good enough..."
I understood to an extent. As much as we'd like to have a secret relationship, it wouldn't last.
"Alright... Then that means I'll have to just become an even more famous adventurer than my Father. Then they'll have nothing to say."
"That's quite an ambitious statement coming from you Ragi," said someone from behind us.
As if it were a reflex the two of us let go of each other and pivoted around. Lord Auberon now stood before us with his arms crossed. He still carried that heavy foreboding presence as he usually did.
"L-Lord Auberon. We weren't expecting you today."
"Of course, you weren't. Otherwise, you wouldn't be publicly displaying your affection for one another..."
"Lord Auberon I can explain," Rory started to say, but Lord Auberon held up his hand.
"Save it. I've known about your relationship for as long as I have approved of it."
"Huh?" The two of us said in unison.
"Yes... You may be good at hiding it from the rest of the world. But you can't hide anything from Lady Rita."
Mother... Of course. She must've figured it out at some point in the past. I wondered why she never said anything or for that matter spoke to Lord Auberon about it.
"Whatever... Why are you even here anyways," pouted Rory. "Another lecture on decorum or elegance?"
"Since you asked so generously I'll give you one later. But for now, I'm only here to retrieve you. It will be time for you to receive Osirian soon. So there are some things you'll need to go over."
"But I thought that wasn't until next month!?"
"Plans change... Plus Lord Celestus believes that you are ready."
Another instance of Rory's Grandfather's flippant whims. Since Sir Roland's death, Lord Celestus has been insistent on making Rory the Grand Cross. The Creator God's irksome decisions were about as annoying as dealing with Baskervillian Nobility.
Rory wanted to argue so badly I could almost feel the "screw you, I don't care what you think," vibes from her. But to argue with a Divine Decree is to court death... Or worse...
"Fine... I'll go. But I want to see Ragi before he leaves."
Lord Auberon nodded and urged her to go on ahead. She turned to me and hugged me once again, giving me the biggest squeeze she could. They then ran off toward the gateway from Father's grave.
Lord Auberon turned to me and began to relax now. "I'm sure you also have somewhere to be young man."
"I know... I already have my things packed. I'm just here allowing the others to get what they need in order."
Turning back to Father's grave I began to think of his last day. How I wanted to tell him that I could use magic finally. Though it was hard to do so with Lord Auberon's overbearing presence virtually crushing me.
"You know young lad... I hadn't told anyone this until now... But I do remember that night your Father found you."
Turning to him, my brain couldn't understand what the Knight was talking about. So rather than ask I'd just appeared intrigued.
"Yes... Divine Ark received a Rune of Communication from Mintaka Village. They'd been under attack by the Cult of Ragnara. Mintaka was the original home of Augustine Sinclair you know. It was his wish that the village remained a village. It was also his wish that Osirian be stored there within his tomb for safekeeping."
"Then all that bloody fighting happened. Very messy, lots of cultists and villagers dead."
I didn't know at all where he was going with this. I also didn't want to say anything out of the ordinary to implicate myself as well. Even though I hadn't done anything wrong, thanks to the fact that I exist I could land in serious trouble.
"I don't get it, Lord Auberon. What's the point in telling me all of this?"
"The point is that our meeting that day six years ago was Destiny at work. Destiny's guiding hand also allowed you to meet Rory as well."
He turned to me now, our eyes now locked in a strange and unnerving way. "Destiny can bring one great fortune or great despair... You'd best cherish moments such as the one you shared with Rory... You'll never know what could happen next."
There it was, the dangerous feeling I'd get from Auberon. The one I felt the first time I'd met him. I don't know why but every nerve in my body screamed at me to get away as fast as possible. But I'd learned to control that. I wouldn't run away ever again.
"Well... Let's hope that Destiny will be at my side... Thanks for the advice, Lord Auberon. I'll be sure to carry it with me."
I strolled past the Old Knight. By the way, he spoke it almost sounded like he intended to cut me down. But Lord Auberon always sounded like he'd nearly kill someone. Still, my instincts kept me alert in case he decided to try a sneak attack regimen.
As I exited Father's grave sight I let out the largest breath of air I'd ever held in my life. No matter what did I could never get over the fear I had of that man. But now I wouldn't have to worry about it again for some time.
Going down a couple of streets I'd find my house near the middle of Merrygate. It wasn't as large as some of the other houses in the district but it was quite larger than anything I'd ever lived in. As I reached for the door it opened before I could even grasp the nob. On the other side, Isabeau awaited me with the usual scowl on her face.
"Welcome home Ragi. Took ya long enough to come back."
"Couldn't you say something a little more formal sometimes? Like a proper maid?"
"I'm not that Demigod tramp that lusts after you all the time. I don't do newlywed bullshit."
I quickly stepped into the house and shut the door behind me. "Bloody Hell Isabeau, would it kill you to not speak so harshly. As your Master, I will have you apologize. I won't have Rory be insulted in my presence."
Isabeau tensed up and for some reason, she had the nerve to look surprised. "M-My apologies Master..."
Her gaze fell and she appeared to feel bad about what she said. It's a good thing too, better than she was years ago. "It's fine, I know how you are... But um... What do you mean by her lusting after me?"
Isabeau rolled her eyes, "Come on Master. Surely you notice her actively trying to seduce you all the time."
"What? You mean when she holds on to my arm?"
"Exactly. She has no business being so buxom. Plus she practically announces her feelings for you every time she's here."
I raised a brow, "Do I detect a hint of jealousy?"
Her expression quickly contorted into disgust. "Please... As if... You may be cute but you're like my little brother. I used to give you baths remember."
"Right... Anyways... How is Mother?"
Isabeau relaxed a bit, returning to Maid mode. "She's alright for now. She had another nightmare about yer Pops earlier. She doesn't want ya to go anywhere."
I understood why Mother didn't want me to leave. The nightmares of Father have been recent. No amount of Calm Mind spells has been able to help her.
"I'll see to her. Just... When the others arrive tell them we have somewhere to go before leaving tomorrow."
"And where exactly might that be?"
I shook my head. "I'm sorry Beau... I can't tell you that... Have the preparations been set?"
"Yup... Yer Mom will be moved to the castle when ya leave for wherever the hell yer going."
"You'll meet me at the castle gates when I return right?"
She nodded. "Good. Now if you'll excuse me... I have to go to her now..."
She stepped out of the way and bowed allowing me by. I slowly trekked up the winding steps preparing myself to see my Mother for possibly the last time in the next three months. Out of all the changes to my life thus far in the past. Hers I found was the most unsettling.