Fire Emblem: Crestfallen [Sharks, Moon, Astoria]

"Mm," she nodded at Doric. "Bearing the costs of a battle on my land wasn't pretty, and I really could have used the extra coin, too," she sighed. "It's almost too bad that you've returned to normal."

Whatever amusement she still had left on her face was wiped off when Doric passed the bucket to her, though. "Eh. I guess you're right," Parthenia sighed, before looking over at Sherry.

"Alright. Just before you arrived, I came up with a plan and pitched it to Dory. It's not the best plan, nor the prettiest, but it's all I can think of at the moment to keep this crumbling wreck of a continent from sinking deeper into chaos. As Dory's mentioned, this puts us in a difficult spot. Despite all this, we still want to help you, and frankly, would appreciate any help in combining forces against the stupid lizard woman. On the other hand, there are also political considerations here at home to consider," she sighed, looking down and frowning at her empty cup.

"So, here's the brief. You might not like all of it. You'll need to sign terms with us and end this war. We won't ransom you, but there'll still need to be reparations of some kind. But in lieu of most of it, the terms will include an offer of alliance instead, one that will have to strongly favor us as the leading partner. That way, our citizens would be satisfied, and to an extent, it'll stabilize your house and your domestic situation, and we can still work together to take on Irinduil. It might... require some pretenses on your part, though," she explained, before elaborating further on some of the less savory parts of the plan that she'd devised.
 
Damn, it really seemed like these two were planning as she slept. Sherry rubbed her chin as she mulled over the plan. It was very much like Parthenia to suggest that she signed terms with them. That would lead to repercussions on Grimdall, no doubt. But if she didn't... then things would turn out worse for all of them. What she said next, though, brought a sour taste to her mouth. Despite her more lenient disposition at the moment, she couldn't help but put up an incredulous expression. Mordlind would appear to be completely in control then. That was embarrassing. For a moment, she wanted to reject this plan of theirs, but deep inside, she knew that she was in no place to deny them.

"Fine... I guess I have to play along," Sherry mused in a begrudging tone. "I have no other choice but to trust you two. I know that you and Dory are doing this for the good of our two nations, and while I don't like all of the details of your plan, I promise I will follow your word."

She turned back to Theodoric, her features grave. "In the meantime, I've wanted to ask... I hope you two have been keeping safe these past years. Is everything well with your Houses and families?"
 
That was...surprising. Even at her best in the old days, Sherry wouldn't have just given in so easily. Still, he supposed it shouldn't take him off guard too much. Finding out you'd lost the last three years of memories and had committed patricide in the meantime was nothing if not a shock. Still, Theodoric never thought he'd see Sherry lose her fire quite like this. It was...disquieting.

Sherry's further inquiry caused Doric to unconsciously tighten his grip on his goblet. Damn. She'd mentioned remembering pieces of the confrontation with Iris, so he'd hoped she'd have remembered everything to do with Gwendolyn and his father as well.

"I...this was during our battle with Iris at the monastery. I'd managed to sneak a message out to my father, informing him of what was going on. At the time, it was good fortune that he'd arrived just as we were about to confront the pretender. There's no easy way to say this, Sherry." Theodoric hesitated, draining what wine remained in his goblet to fortify himself before continuing.

"Gwendolyn is alive. I don't understand how or why, but evidently, her death was faked. And she stands at Iris's side. She killed...my father. Her own father." His face contorted with a mix of grief and fury.

"I broke ranks and charged her when I saw it happen. She unhorsed me in two passes on foot and nearly killed me. If it weren't for Professor Juno, I wouldn't be here right now." Theodoric shut his eyes, one hand clutching his head at the thought. "I've grown in skill and strength in the three years that have passed, but I don't know if it will be enough."

"I want vengeance for Father, but there's a practical concern as well. We'd assaulted Iris with among the finest in conventional weaponry as it was. Considering we barely drew blood, it's obvious we need the Heroes' Relics. And Gwendolyn still holds Imperius."
 
Huh. Parthenia's reaction was much like Doric's. She'd expected a lot more pushback to her demands, as friendly of a suggestion they had been worded in. Then again, between losing your memories, your father, and a war that you didn't remember starting was probably enough to cow just about anyone. It was definitely jarring for her nonetheless. "It's for the greater good," she offered, with a wry smile. "At the very least, we'll be able to collaborate closely."

She frowned at her question, looking down at her empty cup and then frowning again. While her circumstances hadn't been quite so emotionally charged or scarring, it didn't remove the fact that her parents had fallen on that fateful day as well.

"Could be better," she answered, the same wry expression on her face again. More bad news for Sherry, but it is what it is. "The same notice was passed along to my family when things started happening. My father assembled a cavalry vanguard and my mother flew a scratch force of flyers into the battle, but they… only added to the number of fallen that day. I'll spare the details, but I'm committed to this as much as Doric is."

Parthenia glanced back at him. "And that we will. If we want any fighting chance, that is."
 
Sherry didn't know how to take the news. It seemed like she wasn't the only one that had lost someone close to her during those three years. She couldn't imagine what Dory was going through; she knew that he had always looked up to his father. But Parthenia? To lose both parents within a day... it must have been a living hell for her. The young queen briefly glanced between them, her lips tightening together into a thin, straight line. "If it comforts you somewhat, I wish to avenge your fallen family members as well. All of this was caused by that demonic bitch... and we don't even know what else she did," she shook her head. Once again, disappointment in herself began to bubble up in her, but she did all she could to swallow the negative emotions before they got out of hand.

"Like I said, I'll lend all the aid I can with my country being in such a dangerous predicament." Sherry finally decided to drink from her cup. The taste of the pale wine was a pleasurable experience, but she did not pay much mind to it. "Which means I'll dance along to your music as long as you need me to. But don't push it, alright?"

A moment passed before she realized something. "Wait. Where's Bismarck?" Her blood wyvern had to be around, didn't he? If he had perished during her time as a chaotic and insane ruler, or if she had killed him... She looked at Parthenia for a brief, desperate moment before she turned the same look to Doric. "Have either of you two seen him?"
 
"Bismarck? You mean your blood wyvern?" Doric blinked as he tried to remember if he'd seen hide or hair of the creature in the past few weeks. To be frank, his absence had barely rung in Doric's mind both during the initial meeting and the battle itself. "I'm afraid not. You were riding an ordinary wyvern during the previous battle. And I don't believe he was present in your palace when we'd met last. My apologies, Sherry. I've not a clue."

A brief glance towards the clock on the wall of his study had Theodoric sighing, however. Draining the last of the wine in his cup, he stood.

"In any case, I'm afraid I'll have to leave the both of you for now. After that victory, the minor lords and the knights will be expecting a celebration and a feast, which means I have to oversee the proceedings as lord and host. Parthenia, you'll likely be expected down in the great hall for that as well. I doubt you want to be near such revelry at the moment, Sherry, but once you're escorted back to your quarters, I'll have food sent up for you as well. If you'll excuse me..."

Theodoric quickly left his study, briefly informing Sherry's guards outside of current proceedings before making his way down the steps of his castle.
 
"Thanks for the confidence. I'll try not to," Parthenia smiled, sincerely. Or, mostly. Even with the serious circumstances, there was still a part of her that wanted to gloat in glee over having so much leverage over Sherry. She had more tact than to do so, though, and she left it at that. Instead, she frowned at her question.

The name sounded familiar, but it took her a moment to recall its context from her old memories. "Bisko?" She tilted her head, a cute, familiar nickname rising to the front. She remembered the blood wyvern the same moment Doric mentioned him. "Hmm, no," she agreed. Doric had been Sherry far more times than her in the interim, so if he didn't have a clue, then neither did she. "I suppose we could check with your servants, but he certainly wasn't in battle with you."

Raising an eyebrow as Theodoric stood, she set aside her own empty cup.

"Sure. I do love parties."

Parthenia made to rise as well after Dory had left, nodding at Sherry. "Suppose I should make myself known as well. Unless you'd prefer some company still, that is."
 
That evening, after dusk, various lords, ladies, and their retinues of knights sat at tables in the great hall of Silese Citadel. Theodoric presided over the high table alongside the most prominent lords of Mordlind in attendance, Parthenia included. Once the majority were seated, Theodoric rose, raising a goblet of wine in toast.

"My lords and ladies of Mordlind," He called out, fixing a triumphant smile onto his face. It was what the crowd expected. It was his role, no matter no matter how much he didn't care for such theatrics. "Tonight, we celebrate a great victory. We have met House Grimdall's invasion force, and we have broken it utterly. Queen Sherry lies in my custody, and we have preserved the safety and security of our land. None of this would have been possible without the skill and fortitude of the knights of Mordlind, and the lords leading them. So tonight, I invite you to celebrate this triumph. Feast and drink to your heart's content."

Theodoric sat back down, servants already beginning to bring out platters of food upon his closing words. While the feast wasn't on a grand scale, it was still substantial enough to satisfy the various nobility in attendance. Roast boar and chicken were served along with hearty venison-and-vegetable stews, smoked fish, fine bread and cheese, and various samples of the summer season's vegetables. Wine and mead flowed in abundance, with the castle's servants rushing back and forth from the cellars as they met the demands of the thirsty knights and lords.

For his part, Theodoric sat back and ate calmly, enjoying the food and returning any idle conversation made with him. Internally, however, he just wanted this to be done with and the lords satisfied so he could return to the real work that had to be done. A week ago, he would have made that speech with far more relish, but in the context of Sherry's current state, it felt distasteful to him, even though there was no way he could have toned down the rhetoric more than he already had. Still, it was what had to be done.
 
The smell of food permeated the young lord's residence as people feasted on animal flesh and drank deeply from their cups. If one stayed for too long, it was almost like the events of three years past didn't happen. Joviality was present; no one bickered or snapped at each other, even as cheeks became rosy with drink. It was strange to him. From where he hailed, noblemen would still try to one up one another even in the wake of the end of the world. Mordlind was a strange-- and very cold --place. At least it was better than Sylmare, where the land was ravaged by bandits and it was hardly inhabitable. Maybe things would change soon. Then again, maybe they wouldn't. He had been asking for such a blessing since the very start of this whole shitfest.

That was why he had slipped into the Marlon boy's little celebration. He had heard of Lady Grimdall's defeat at the hands of Theodoric and Parthenia, and curiosity got the best of him. Perhaps he would be able to speak with Theodoric then? Malakai kept out of the main throng of guests, brushing a strand of hair away from his pallid face. He hated crowds. How could the boy keep so many people in here without fear of one of them putting something into his wine? He never understood nobles.

His amber eyes caught sight of the man of the hour rather quickly. It was easy to find him; people flocked around him like bees to their hive. Malakai approached with a laid back gait, a grin cracking across his face as soon as the two made eye contact. "Good evenin', young lord," he greeted him with a mock bow. The way he spoke and acted might have seemed like he was making fun of Theodoric, but his greeting was heartfelt and genuine. "My name is Malakai, and I rode all of the way from Sylmare just to see you and Parthenia. I hope you don't mind sharin' a meal with me."
 
Parthenia really did love parties. They were just too much fun, even more so when the food and drink wasn't on her coin. And, the people that attended them were even more amazing. There were so many ways she could engage with them, so many comments she could make, and so very many delightful underhanded complements and perfect remarks could be given and received in turn in the course of polite conversation.

Perhaps it was because of people like Parthenia that others didn't enjoy noble banquets, but Parthenia didn't care.

Since Theodoric was hosting, even if it wasn't the grandest banquet, the food and accompanying wine didn't disappoint, and she merrily chatted away while enjoying the finest selection of wine paired with her portion of a cut of venison. Even with the specter of Sherry's state looming over the party, she would never let bad or uncomfortable news get over her enjoyment of such events, and she was in a good mood with all the people around her.

She was dipping into some wine sauce with a piece of bread when another well-wisher made his way to the table she was sharing with Theodoric. There was a flicker of indecisiveness between continuing to hoover up that delicious sauce with the bread and rising to greet what looked like an interesting character, but wine sauce could always wait, and she rose to return the greeting to the Sylmarian.

"Certainly, the point of such a victory banquet is to greet each other and make merry, Sir Malakai, so consider yourself at home here," she responded genuinely. "It does bring you out rather far, though I can presume it doesn't take much of a reason to get out of Sylmare these days," she continued on, wry smile on her face.
 
A feast wasn't quite as enjoyable when it was on his own coin. And when there were still more important matters at hand. Unlike his old friend, Theodoric wasn't particularly enjoying himself, though he kept any such discomfort and irritation off his face as he put on the role of a gracious host. The lords and ladies were unified and celebratory now, but would they remain so for a future campaign against Irinduil?

Before Theodoric could muse on this further, someone approached.

Yhriel take him, what now? Who was this? Theodoric was already dealing with enough conversation at the high table, and now whoever this was. Some of the other lords at the table bristled at the supposed impertinence of an unknown well-wisher approaching them, but Doric raised a hand towards them, shaking his head as if to stop them from saying anything before turning back to this...Malakai. Oh, how he hoped this wasn't going to be some unscrupulous merchant trying to peddle some sort of business offer to him.

"By all means, my home is open to you." Theodoric put a friendly smile on, despite not quite feeling such. "What brings one such as yourself all the way out from Sylmare?"
 
Malakai was pleased to see that his greeting was returned whole-heartedly. Good; nobles could be a bit too stuffy. He still got the feeling that the young lord had a stick up his butt, especially with how quick he got to the point. Lady Parthenia, as he assumed the pale-haired young woman was, seemed to be more jovial than the other. He let out a light laugh at her response and chose to settle in a bit too roughly next to Theodoric. It was amazing to him that the seat hadn't been taken until now.

"What, I can't come and visit my neighbors? Everyone needs some time off, especially with things are now. I sure hope you two've been gettin' enough rest." Malakai said in a song-like voice, beginning to pile slab after slab of meat on top of his platter. "Won't get far if you're fallin' asleep on your feet!"
 
Theodoric resisted the urge to break his composure and sigh at the response he'd received. Of course he couldn't just get a straight answer. He didn't believe for a second that this Malakai meant what he said. Still, it wasn't as if he could simply call the man out on it while in polite company.

Instead, Theodoric simply gave Malakai a tolerant smile as the man sat down a tad too close, regardless of station. A wave of his hand stalled off the murmurings of any of the other nobles at the high table, signifying that he, at least outwardly, was fine with the situation. The dry aside glance he gave to Parthenia, however, said otherwise.

"But of course. I did extend my hospitality, so feel free to enjoy it as you wish."
 
A feast was rather enjoyable, on one's own coin or not, but Parthenia did have to admit that the fact that Dory was paying for almost all of it rather than her made the food, wine, and company all the better than a normal victory feast. Not that grand victory feasts were all that common, mind you. Unlike Theodoric, she could put all her worries aside for just a moment to enjoy things like this.

Parthenia expertly ignored the change in atmosphere Malakai had brought to the table, enjoying a bit more of her wine as she did so. She had multiple glasses at this point, and was just starting to get a bit tipsy, but the fact that the Sylmarian was sort of dodging their questions wasn't entirely lost on her.

"Come to participate in the victory festivities, perhaps?" She probed, before continuing on a bit of a small tangent.

"Everybody far and wide has been aching for a bit of good news these days, and who are we to not offer it? No rest for the wicked, after all, but who would rest now with all this good food and wine being offered at Dory's expense?"
 
Malakai was not distracted enough to let Doric's glance towards the pale-haired woman go unnoticed. Nevertheless, his smile didn't waver as he tucked into his fully loaded platter, sparing Parthenia another glance. He liked this woman; she seemed like the type of person who knew what to say when to say it. He poured himself a hefty flagon of wine and drank deeply from it. It was difficult not to enjoy the taste of the red liquid that poured past his lips, but the strange atmosphere that had befallen the noble's table was somewhat souring the mood. Would it really be wise to speak of issues here? Or maybe he should wait until the next day...

"I couldn't agree more. Lord Theodoric is very generous to provide such wonderful food and drink, especially durin' this time of need!" Malakai said. He turned back to Theodoric, his grin never faltering as he feasted and drank. "I've heard grand tales about your victory over the Galbian queen, m'lord. You must tell me how the battle went! It must've been no easy feat defeating her in battle!"
 
Hours later, the feast had ended, and Theodoric was back in his study, nursing yet another goblet of wine after the effort of overseeing the feast and managing the clean-up afterwards. The guests had either retired to their roofs or returned to whereever outside the castle they were lodging at. It was now close to midnight, and Theodoric was simply exhausted from the stress and effort involved in making sure everything had gone well.

All in all, it hadn't been a complete disaster. Two minor lords, barons at best, had gotten overly drunk and nearly challenged each other to an honor duel before he'd had to step in. That had been a headache. To say nothing of some of the other drunkards. Yhriel take him, he didn't have the time or the wherewithal to be managing social incidents when there was a damned dragon attempting to control the continent.

And speaking of incidents to be managed...

"Ser Falwyn." Theodoric called out of the study, to which his bodyguard captain immediately entered, saluting.

"Sire."

"That Cretan man that barged into the feast today, Sir Malakai. Bring him here. I want to meet privately with him."

"By your leave, my lord." Ser Falwyn saluted again, and left the room, leaving Doric with his thoughts and wine for the moment.
 
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