#Velthomer family time

[randomnameless]

Loser

[rosecelebi]

Now that Fire Emblem Heroes has opened it's yearly Choose Your Legends voting period.... I am kindly asking you to consider sparing a vote (or two!) to two of my favorites in the series: F!Robin and Sigurd!

Why?

Well let's start with Robin,

Robin fans won out last year when their Male counterpart won the male division of CYL 7 alongside Soren and I'm sure many F!Robin fans (myself included) helped him reach that victory by voting, just as we did in previous years with Chrom and A!Tiki. F!Robin has waited for her time to shine and has supported her competition for several years now. It's time for her to receive the Awakening vote love!

If that wasn't enough to sway you, let's look at F!Robin's legacy in FEH.

1. Her base version was a year 1 grail unit with a mediocre (affectionate) refine that takes max investment to work around

2. Her summer alt is a year one seasonal with a bad weapon and book 1 era stats (but she sure is cute!)

3. Her legendary alt isn't even her- it's Grima. Grima took away her chance at being a legendary unit

4. Her Halloween alt is another Grima alt. She didn't even get to participate in Halloween because Grima took the spot :(

5. Her Valentine's alt is adorable but still a seasonal locked unit

6. Her rearmed version is yet another Grima.

HALF of all F!Robin's in FEH are Grima alts. There is no F!Robin available to summon in the normal 4/5 star pool. Getting a brave alt would be a big deal for her and her fans.

Please, spare a vote to the best tactician around, F!Robin!

~

Now, let's talk about Sigurd

Sigurd comes from FE4, Genealogy of the Holy War, a game I know many of you may not have played yet. That's okay though! I get it! It's a bit old and jank to play and you need to emulate it with a translation patch if you don't understand Japanese. So I'm gonna explain who this man is to you....

Sigurd is the heir to house Chalphy and a descent of the crusader Baldr in Judgral, which makes him kind of a big deal. Throughout his game, he makes allies with many people throughout Judgral in an attempt to unify and fight back against the rising corruption.

Along his journey, he meets Deirdre and the two fall in love and end up having a son together, Seliph. Sigurd is devoted to his family and loves Deirdre more than anything in the world. Sigurd is a family man. Look at this Cipher art if you need more explanation:

(*SPOILERS ahead for FE4, but FEH and Engage already spoiled this so if you somehow don't know what happens to Sigurd, maybe stop reading here*)

Tragedy befalls the couple not long after their son is born... Deirdre is kidnapped and her memories are wiped clean as she is needed for a sinister plot... Her holy blood is needed to help the Loptous cult resurrect their dark God so they use Deirdre as a pawn and marry her off to Arvis.

Sigurd is distraught with his wife gone and searches and searches for her but ultimately must continue through on his plans. He returns to his home and is met by Arvis, the Duke of Velthomer, and the descendant of the imperial family. He welcomes them in as a deceitful trick and declares Sigurd a traitor and calls for his execution. Before he issues the order, Arvis lets Sigurd meet his new wife- Deirdre as a sick and twisted punishment. With that, Arvis calls down Valflame and kills Sigurd and many of his army members.

Sigurd's legacy is carried by his son, Seliph, who will free Judgral from the horrors that the dark cult inflicted many years later.

~

So that was heavy. But do you understand why he's such a compelling character??? He has such an unfortunate heroes tale, but FEH let's us see him again and be able to reunite him with his love and his son.

Seliph got his own brave alt two years ago in CYL 6 and it feels right for it to be his father's time to step up and shine as a brave hero.

Let's look at Sigurd's legacy in FEH:

1. His base version is a year 1 sword cavalier who's a bit outdated but not unusable by any means with proper skill investment

2. His duo dancer alt is Deirdre is one of the best arts in the game and I won't let anyone convince me otherwise

3. His Legendary alt was a meta threat at one point in time and the art is gorgeous

4. Lastly, this year he got his second seasonal alt, a tea time Butler alt that just cute. He definitely is serving tea for Deirdre and making sure she's happy.

A brave alt just seems perfectly fitting for him at this point!

~

In conclusion, these are two characters who are ready for their moment to shine in FEH with a brave alt. They've waited for their friends or family members to get there first and now it's (potentially) their time for the brave win. Thank you for reading all this and may the CYL odds be in our favor!

TLDR: Vote for F!Robin and Sigurd in CYL 8!

[memie-art-blog]

Her name is Xulia Nohr Velthomer, their pronouns are She/They, and they have a lot of family related trauma to unpack. More details under read more

Anyway story time on drawing this: I used this photo as a pose ref, Armstreet is great I highly recommend them. I really wanted the excuse to draw Julia w/ Curly hair, and I threw in blonde frosted tips to callback to Xander. I also know that people draw Deirdre with the brand of Naga on her forehead, so I thought Julia would too and drew it! I mainly used Xander's outfit to challenge myself to draw armor, I gave them the sleeves and neckline of Julia so it wasn't completely Xander's outfit. Oh and I also used Julia's cape!!! I really like the butterfly shaped cape so much. But yeah that's as much as I can remember about the thought process! I'm glad you're all enjoying my design so far!

[wardencommanderrodimiss]

I wonder if a FE4 remake would include Awakening/Fates' mechanic of changing the kids' hair colors based on their father, because every so often I think of Tine with the red hair of House Velthomer, with Azelle as her father, and I go insane.

Hilda wants power so badly, she's looking for every "in" she can get, she's excited by the prospect of marrying her daughter off to a possessed child-torturing lunatic because that lunatic is the crown prince. And then you would have Tailtiu who married Azelle, and Azelle might have abandoned Grannvale to fight alongside the traitorous Sigurd, just as Tailtiu did, but Azelle was still the Emperor's brother and Arvis still cared very much about him - Tailtiu had the "in" with the royal family that Hilda so badly wants, and Tailtiu squandered it by being a traitor!

And Tailtiu dies, but Tine is still here living in House Freige, and she has that same red hair as the Emperor and the Crown Prince, and every time Hilda looks at her she would hate her more than ever, because her mother had something that Hilda wants so badly and fucking wasted it. Hilda will always hate Tailtiu and Tine so, so much, but for this she would hate them even more and see look I'm going insane again.

[nieznasztejosoby]

to anyone actually following me please ignore!

It's hard to breathe through the ash  that's still coating my face. 

I should wipe it away but my  hands had gone numb as did my legs  it seems like the end of running away

The last hour has been a blur of heat and pain I didn't even catch her face but her voice was enough. 

We found lady Deirdre at last. 

Who would have expected she the crown princess and us the traitors.

And now im only alive due to someones incompetence

I have only a vague  idea  of the area I ran too. 

A forrest so serene at  night. I can still smell the burning meat. 

Naga above why did this happen to us

I bring try grasp the silver talisman 

Same as the one i gifted my beloved not  wife never wife

lured into a trap told that her fathers betrayal is something she can  begin to atone for 

I shouldn't dare to hope that whatever fate they plan for her is any kinder then the quick death that took the rest of us 

I wish i followed her but i had no claim to be by her side .I thought there's no reason to make a fuss we will see eachother soon enough so no reason to lie .

We didn't get married it wasn't really about approval no one can stop us from it and jokes on them if anyone tried we just wanted it to be with our families i wanted So that Arvis could see how far i came so that we could rub how much we love each other into Blumes and Hilda's faces.. 

As there was nothing easier than loving her.

 and now the world we thought we built shatters showing its fragility our love if ever remembered will be known only in mockery

At least brother got his wish the king is old and all too happy to give control 

of Granvale

his revolution no longer confined to our duchy.

ah

Our such a bold statement what an inappropriate time at that any of the previous dukes bastard children would be about as good to stand by his side most infinitely better. 

I was just convenient, a younger brother to care for to fawn at and to shape the future of , thrown on him when he was at his loneliest. 

Ah

I can hear footsteps the knights finally caught up to me 

Two people one on horseback , what an odd choice,  most likely not of Velthomer. We don't have many cavalry in our army so unless brother changed about how we operate those are most likely knights of Belhalla. 

Why would it even matter? I guess I only miss home now that I got so close. 

“Astoria is it really safe for you to search with me ? “

“Nothing about this is safe  princess told me im free to go so i have time before anyone gets suspicious but not a lot of it but that doesn't matter you need me, im the one with a private place to stay here and a horse unless you're planning to get him all the way back home by foot “

“I know I know I shouldn't have dragged you into this. I shouldn't have broken the formation and allow him to escape “

“You did it for a reason right? “

“That man looked way too much like lord Azelle  didn't he.I know it was said that he perished in the attempt at getting Agustria back under control but there was never any real proof beyond the lack of letters. I know it could just be a coincidence but if it wasn't I  can't even imagine the duke's grief if brother survived just to die  like this in such  a way . “

Ah so some people think he cares

I try to focus on their words but they fade quickly, the exhaustion catching up to me. 

.

 

. 

The new day starts my eyes open to a collection of wildflowers adorning the bedside table, the castle staffs best attempt at covering the smell of ash and burned hair hanging in the air.We won my father avenged we can finally move forward the quiet excitement fills  the air as I can hear my maids chattering about the now soon approaching wedding.

Arvis has been to busy with the clean up for us to talk afterwards but that's good no need to explain the tear stained pillows not when  I cannot explain the aimless sorrow even to myself.

I can hear the girls pacing outside so I knock twice on the bed frame as loudly as I can, a sign they  are allowed to come in , a relic of the early days when I struggled to talk.

They make quite an entrance as Tory surely didn't kick the door open with Ann and  Mel  tailing behind with food .

“My princess its good to see you for today you have no duties of great importance 

as duke Arvis has his own matters and that means we are free to drag you around the castle town people will surely be overjoyed to see you after yesterday”Ann starts before she goes of on an half intelligible rant about  all the shops i should visit and making up excuses  to get me to buy her something again. 

The incense permeates the  air lit for   king Azmurs comfort castle still smells with a reminder of yesterday regardless. 

I don't have to acknowledge Aida coming in; she knows she's still welcome at any time whatever stands between us. 

“My liege, I have new information for you”

She starts but doesn't finish 

 I make a gesture asking her to continue 

“It's just how do I say this 

One of the members if Sigurds army initially escaped “

“The initially implies that he was caught who was that is it just some knight or do we need to prepare a public execution “

That’s gonna be a mess with the conflict with Isaaach dying down. The public wants to move on  to the celebration of our now all but assured victory over Isaach and Agustria to mine and Diadora’s wedding.

I want to finally move on with this.

“The man did not identify himself but he somehow convinced two of our knights to aid him in escape by identifying himself as lord Azelle.I didn't get him to speak either but he hasn't changed in appearance  I don’t have doubts”

Brother I was ready to never hear your name again. I did not dare to hear it in such a context.

Ah are those tears ? I'm not even sure how long the minutes stretched between  Aida to fetch you and seeing you again. I didn't even have to ask her too.

You’re taller now  your hair brightened by the desert sun but you truly haven't changed much.

Your clothes are damp  and there's  a greyish smudge on your cheek. 

They dumped water to clean you up in a hurry didn't they seem to be in the same clothes you traveled in here? 

How long were you detained before I was told of this.

Your wrists I told the guards you cannot possibly harm me so there was no reason to keep you cuffed   but you must have been earlier they are clearly scrapped by ill fitting metal.

You should have never been detained. I should have seen to your freedom from the beginning I should have payed attention to the men and women Sigurd had alongside him.

I should have kept on asking and searching before assuming your death.

I should have never let you go.

You’re quiet of so so quiet it hurts

“Please don't blame them, they believed to be acting in Velthomers best interest.I can't stop you in any way but let that be my final wish  “ You say meaning the knights that defended you.

“ Final ? You can ask anything of me “

It's an arrogant, unwieldy childish statement but you have always  been humble and there's very few things I cannot do now.

“What? Aren't I here  so that you can finally correct the mistake you made, the one you kept on making for 18 years?You won no need to keep me as a charity case, your legacy of kindness will not be tarnished, no one will care when I'm dead. “

I don't know where you got the strength from to lunge at me something gleams silver and as I manage to wrestle it from your hand you immediately stop struggling .

It is a knife and you guide it towards your own throat as I hold it .

“Do it “

I cannot tell if  you are demanding or begging  it feels so wrong no matter what.

“Common do  I still matter to you does that  give my life a greater meaning then of  all those I loved ?”

You ask and I try not to feel the weight of that word I try  not to recall the faces of those whose death has not truly left the air. I want to say that they were criminals but I know it's not true as  I am the one guilty

[louvay]

Lord Arthur Friege 420 Silezha Complex, Thove Silesse

My lord,

I am writing you in agony as there's no other choice left for me to consider. As your family's faithful butler, Lady Ishtar has confessed to me experiencing some grating phenomena, of which, after further investigations by myself and Duchess Hilda, can be traced back to you.

Among the complaints raised to me include: you opening the gas valve and nearly made the duke hallucinate, posing as a vengeful apparition under Her Ladyship's window, and sent an illustration of Lord Ishtore wearing a bespoke, damning fiery-red knickerbockers to Miss Liza Knight in an effort to break her betrothal to Lord Ishtore.

We have also discovered that by the time you took Lady Tinni away with you per your last visit, you buried grenades in Her Ladyship's former room, now converted into a powder and lavatory room by the duchess.

I kindly ask you to cease and desist.

Reinhardt Schutaeze.

Sir Reinhardt Schutaeze

360 Nifl Palace, Friege Grannvale

My good man,

I believe you may have mistakened me for none other than my own Lord Cousin and your lady’s betrothed, Prince Julius. A common mistake really, as though he is shorter than I am and whose hair color matches the preposterous illustration General Liza had received, we do share the same preferred barbershop.

Opening the gas valve of the house? Playing scary tricks on others? Could be nothing more than my dear cousin Julius reliving his childhood days from when he and my uncle’s family lived in Castle Velthomer. I am sure you are familiar with the gossip that goes around at the royal court, no? Of how mischievous the future emperor was back then, whose to say he isn’t now too? I would reckon these maledictions are simply part of a test so to speak, to ensure that the dukedoms my Lord Cousin will lead do not falter to the whims of royal tomfoolery.

As for the incident in my aunt’s room, I suppose the Prince wanted to renovate it to his own liking. It was too grand of a room compared to the others and what came after the event you described was simply the right call of the Prince. The only event which I had taken part in was relocating Lady Tinni to Silesse, something that had consequentially been easier to achieve thanks to Prince Julius’ antics. Although I’m sure she would not be missed by my aunt nor be of any use to my uncle anyways.

I ask that you revaluate your investigations again, lest the whole family mistakes the Prince’s visits to that of a scoundrel’s. Treachery of any sort will not be tolerated by our house, afterall.

Arthur Von Friege

[skelezomperman]

Dear Sir Skelezomperman,

Thank you for expressing your interest in mingling with the Jugdral Respectable Society club. We are located just at the heart of London, and scheduling our annual gathering in due no time. We have heard from several people that your time machine has malfunctioned, and we would like to offer you a little bit of consolation because nobody deserves such unfortunate experience on their first adventure. Our guests consist of high-accomplished curious individuals who likely will be glad to lend you a helping hand and some hands on deck to help you repairing the machine.

... Well, their retainers and employees, maybe, for some of them are high-born nobles with perfectly-manicured hands, if you ask me. Ahem.

Your stay is scheduled to be a week trip including the departure and arrival by Great Western Railway's brand-new locomotive. Ah, it is nice to see the city buzzing again in 1856 after the disastrous Crimean War, innit! You will not be required to do anything else but dress appropriately as you would at a dignified gathering such as this, and rest assured you will be assigned a respectable accommodation where the wing where your room is located is also separated from the ladies', spare the married ones.

You are not required to bring anything else because nourishment and refreshment wil be handsomely provided for all the guests, but should it be to your liking to take some walk and bring back delicacies you fancy, then we are not going to tell you no.

Each day for five days of your stay bare the two days of your arrival and departure, you will need to mingle with the rest of the guests. Small price to enjoy all the benefits, methinks; for it is during such times our benevolent guests may also offer to help repairing your time machine. The designations are as follows:

The Nordion Family foremost fancy themselves horses, and horses equally fancy them. The current head of the family rides every afternoon, and trains his sword grip in the morning. If you happen to choose to accompany His Lordship, you may be absorbed into a sparring match with the Leonster family as their heir does the same thing with lances. You will either test both of them yourself or be a very just referee in their matches. Please do not make mistakes...

Ladies Nordion, Chalphy, and Leonster likely take their tea in the garden at four. If you choose to mingle with them, you will likely be made to babysit their firstborns, who are very active and curious, and will shower you with questions. The three dames have specifically requested you to not indulge the three very much, lest their touch their fathers' magnificent, yet dangerous weapons. We have never had such a case before, and we would like you to not break the cycle.

The Velthomer Enterprise brings their whole crew this year. The heir is very intelligent, and he and his lady companion likely will take you into the castle's depth of old, dusty archives. He is likely going to be busy by himself, but this means you are going to spend most of the day cooped up in a really quiet, old library that may give you... other feelings. Old buildings, Sir, what can I say. We have heard of the odd drawing His Lordship carved there, yes; but... mayhaps it is nothing, so it should not be of your concerns.

The retainers to Houses Chalphy, Nordion, and Leonster love to outdo one-another. They likely take you to fish, swim, and wrestle over the mud, and hold no feelings should you best them. If you fancy simplicity and some lads activities, perhaps this interests you more, although it means you will likely not have the chance to mingle with the aristocrats, as they eat their meals separately in the kitchen with our maids and cooks because they prefer it that way.

You may find Messieurs Finn, Glade, and Noish teaching themselves mathematics at the boudoir. You will need to be equipped with the knowledge should you join them, as they are curious of recent inventions but fancy themselves a good siege machine.

The Lady Lachesis takes her midday stroll with Lady Edain to tour the shops. They will need a good hand to take them around and carry their purchases, and we advise you to be good with horses. If Lady Brigid joins them, please take Vicar Claud as well because she has good eyes for antique relics, in which likely to be haunted. We do not mind new occupant, Sir, but you might...

Masters Oifey and Shannan are delightful, helpful boys. They will do errands for you, but it is best to compensate them for what they do. They probably will take you to work around the house, which you may not like very much.

The Silessian Group's matriarch sends her heir to see the world and absorb a lot of knowledge along the way to serve him back in return. Yet His Lordship is very fond of nights of gaiety, and may take you to corresponding places. I'd like you to be prepared for some masquerade parties, where everything can take a really wild turn like a libertine's way of living is. Should Sir Alec accompany His Lordship, I hope you can endure night travel because they will not be back until about one or two in the morning, but you can sleep yourself to lunch afterwards.

The Frieges are people of vision, and they are sharp. Outdoor activities may tire you so sitting down with Lord Blume is recommended. His wife might be... ahem, otherworldly, so to speak; and she will want to know your views and perceptions about this world. Political realism, realpolitik. Only meal time will stop these discussions, so if you choose to babysit her twins instead, please be sure you are equipped for music for they are keen with the piano, harp, and violin. We have those too in the castle. Their young squire may follow you around and be quite suspicious, however.

A young lad called Dew loves to treasure-hunt. Please pack a sword and a pistol because you will never know what secret this old castle keeps in its catacombs :)

Should you be interested, we will wait you at the London-Paddington Station due tomorrow afternoon. Have a great time and enjoy!

(P/S: The sky sometimes create a mirage because of the weather. What can I say, Sir, for London weathers are wilder than a boar at times. Of course you are not seeing what you think you are -- pray tell, why would the train appear to be flying and the sky around you distorts again? Preposterous!)

The Hostess.

Dear The Hostess,

I thank you for this invitation. I do not quite remember indicating my interest in the Jugdral Respectable Society. That said, I'm happy that you've invited me to come. If nothing else, the complimentary accommodation and refreshments are worth accepting the invitation. But I do have some concerns about these guests that you speak of:

While I cannot say I am a horse person, I do think that going on a horse ride with the patriarch of the Nordion family sounds appealing. Less-so the thought of being impaled by his rival the Leonstrian heir during jousting. It would certainly not be good way to return home seriously injured!

The Ladies of Nordion, Chalphy, and Leonster seem to take tea at about the same time that I do, and babysitting their firstborns is doable so long as their mothers take a good, strong black tea that I can share in. But it concerns me that the task of defending these legendary weapons would fall on me. I do not trust myself enough to not be the cause of some serious accident.

The Velthomer heir seems to like his alone time which I do like, but I hope that drawing of his visage isn't too offputting.

The simplicity of the retainers to the three knightly houses is alluring to me, someone who has no noble blood of any kind. But I can't say that "lads activities" interests me, especially if it would cause damage to the few clothes on my person that are passable for this stay.

I do have mathematics knowledge, but I am afraid that Master Finn and his companions would be disappointed since I do not know how to engineer. I could write a good story about a siege machine, but designing it is beyond my capabilities.

Shopping with Lady Lachesis and Lady Edain should be passable enough even if it involves horses. I just hope that they are not too demanding. But it should be fine so long as this Lady Brigid does not come with her thirst for haunted relics.

The two young masters, like the retainers, sound like pleasant people to accompany since they are more simple. Unfortunately, I do not have enough monies on my person to pay them.

I would love to meet this heir of the Silessian Group. He sounds like an upstanding gentleman who would love discussing various intricacies of the world. However, I cannot really stay awake past about ten in the evening or else I will be lethargic throughout much of the next day. I hope that for my sake, His Lordship is accompanied by someone other than Sir Alec.

I cannot say that "otherworldly" really appeals to me, with regard to the Frieges. I'm not a big philosophy person and those twins sound much more of a handful than the heirs to the knightly houses.

I am dreadful at using a pistol, so I would be entirely dependent on Dew were I to join him in an excursion.

I am aware that I have little choice in the matter of whom I accompany since I am receiving free room and board for the next five days. If I do have any choice though, I would prefer to be with the Ladies Chalphy/Nordion/Leonster or someone else who is a bit more reserved. But you can expect me to meet you at Paddington tomorrow afternoon, God willing. It's not as though I have much of a choice.

Sincerely, (Sir) Skele Zomperman

[valflaame]

"Five?" he asks, amused, and though his hands continue to touch along her skin he laughs just a little. He only ever had his brother, and he's not sure he ever wished for a larger family. There never was any time to think about those things -- not when he was given command of Velthomer at such a young age. Looking back on his childhood, he's not sure where any room for change could have taken place, anyway.

But there is always the future. His and Deirdre's future, one that will be filled with children and happiness and --

Deirdre faces Arvis, and he notices then the look in her eye. He frowns, and puts a hand to her cheek as if to smooth those worry lines away. This is not supposed to be a sad moment.

"Ah," he says, soft. He does not know how to comfort her, and to ease her worries.

So, he lies.

"My Deirdre, I know you must worry about their families..." he says, soft and serious for the moment. "They were traitors, though. Their families will be taken care of through our rule, and we will support those loyal to your family. This was inevitable."

Red Camellias

[randomnameless]

Mother complex ? more like a child missing his mom so badly he got traumatized, and the mother being the most important being in someone's life, no wonder it broke Arvis

Iirc Arvis honor killed anyone who trashtalked his mom and it was heavily implied he married Deedee bcs she looks like Cigyun ?

Obviously Kaga Era characters don't pour their psyche to the player in 4 convos, but imo Arvis's trauma isn't only about him "missing his mom".

[baldramuste]

moonlit evening

fights with his father were not normally uncommon for sigurd, especially not since he'd lost his mother. this time though sigurd had felt his father had gone too far, and he'd rushed out on a horse to get away from everything faster than his father could even think.

he didn't know how long he'd rode but it was surely for far too long. the sudden onset of rain catches him by surprise midway through the night, catching him vulnerable and soaking him through to the bone. even the cloak he’d hastily brought with him barely helps shelter him from the rain. it is a godsend that he discovers any sort of structure all the way out here.  

"the house velthomer..?" sigurd looks up at it atop his horse in amazement, the building a threatening sight even in the pouring rain like this. it matched the velthomers perfectly— the family a mystery he still had much to learn about. had he really rode his horse all the way out here? he had not realized..

but he did not have anywhere else to go. it is not as if he could return back to his father— the father who could not hope to understand him as a person. he knew he was being childish by leaving like that but he could not bring it in him to face such a figure. to face the embarrassment of understanding how his actions were wrong.

needless to say he could not stay out here forever— his father would send someone after him eventually— but just for the night should be fine. if he just had a good night's rest and came back in the morning, perhaps he could summon up the courage and go back to his home to apologize.

sigurd huffs out a shivering sigh as he hops off his horse, walking up to the door. he summons the courage to at least see if anyone was home to give him shelter. just for the night and that would be it. he practices the conversation in his head. i don’t have any money on me but i will even pay you the moment i get the chance to. "excuse me!" he calls out finally, knuckles rapping against the door in desperate bid to get out of the rain. "is there anyone home?"

@avemaera

[nagaficat]

"Lord Azelle!" Deirdre's face lights up and she claps her hands excitedly in front of her chest at the mention of her old friend's name. "I am quite familiar with him. He and I know...we knew each other once. It is also something of a long story." Her smile dims slightly as she thinks about the younger Velthomer brother. He may not have perished alongside Sigurd but his fate still had not been a happy one. She is glad to know he at least had love in his life.

"Please, there is nothing to apologize for. I do not mind if you prefer to take a more familiar tone with me. We are family, after all."

She is glad that, even after learning Deirdre's identity and her connection to the man who sealed her husband's fate, Tailtiu does not seem to hold it against her. She is cheerful as she was when they began chatting.

Then Tailtiu mentions Sigurd and Deirdre is hit with another wave of shock. Perhaps she should not be surprised as she is considering she knows Azelle from their shared time at Sigurd's side but she is. "You knew Lord Sigurd? His Deirdre, his wife...that is me as well."

nagaficat​:

It is Deirdre’s turn to freeze. It is shocking enough to meet another Grannvalian but this woman has also married into House Velthomer. It almost feels as though it cannot just be coincidental.

She turns from a dusty shelf to get a better look at Tailtiu. She had spent a good deal of time with Friege’s ruling family. Her own twins had grown up playing with the Friege twins. Deirdre had not been particularly close with Duke Bloom or his wife, Hilda but she always enjoyed watching the children play together.

“How marvelous!” She laughs. “I also married a Velthomer. Duke Arvis is my husband. I suppose we must be in-laws of a sort then. Cousins somehow?” She enjoyed learning from Arvis about his family and their connection to Crusader Fjalar but it was always confusing trying to remember the different names for each relation. “What is your partner’s name? And yours! I do not believe you have actually told me your own.”

How strange it is to find someone from home all the way here! This woman is far from the first, but the others have been so intimately connected to her that this feels different. Deirdre is talking with a stranger rather than someone she knew once long ago.

“I am also a descendant of a Crusader. Perhaps that is why my name sounds so familiar? I am not just from Grannvale, but a member of its royal family.”

“You… married Duke Arvis?” That makes her squint. No way there were just two Lady Deirdre’s laying around marrying important names around Grannvale. Maybe it really was just that common a name.

Oh well. “Oh, sorry! Got so caught up in all this damn dust. I’m Tailtiu, my partner was Azelle.” Was. She cringes – should probably get out of the habit of saying that. “He’s Arvis’ half brother, uh, it’s something of a long story.” And not hers to tell, anyway.

One way to meet your… husband’s brother’s wife. Sister? Sure. 

“You… are?” Two Deirdres with holy blood… this was getting less likely by the second. “Oh, wow, geez! Should’ve said something before I spoke so casually, sorry!” As if she has ever truly cared, but Arvis’ wife felt a little different than just anyone. Tailtiu has half the mind to wonder what she knows about Belhalla, but it would be wrong to accuse when she knows so little herself.

“It’s just kinda funny, I guess. I served in Lord Sigurd’s army for a while, and his wife’s name was Deirdre too.”

[avemaera]

The cathedral at Gareg Mach is a marvel to behold. Even if Ethlyn knows nothing of the Fodlan religion, she still feels a sense of piety upon entering it.

At this particular time of day, it's all but empty and her boots echo loudly against the cold, stone floor until she comes to a halt. Of course she runs into him here of all places. The same place her brother had first come across the Duke of Velthomer in this strange land. As soon as he turns around and she sees his face, all restraint that she so loves to lord over Sigurd with is thrown to the wind. Ethlyn marches up to Arvis, grabs him by the collar, and pulls his face closer to her level.

"Whatever vendetta you have against my brother ends now. He is not alone and we stand strong together. Do not underestimate House Chalphy," she practically hisses before letting her grip on him go.

What was it about this family and their penchant for finding him minding his damn business and mussing up his collar!? First Sigurd, then his son, and now his blasted sister. If she had not released her cretinous mitts from him so quickly, he would have shoved her off himself.

He didn't even know who the woman was before her assertion of kinship to House Chalphy. Tch, she certainly acted the part.

Bold. Stubborn. Stupid.

With a forceful hand he straightens his collar and brushes himself down.

"My 'vendetta' with Sigurd stands only as far as he chooses to let it. You'd be better off telling him to end it;" He looms closer, gaze burning and threat barely whispered.

"for he is nothing but a tooth ache to me."

Slender fingers move to pluck a stray hair from her head, presenting it as one final insult.

"I'd tell you to teach him respect while you're at it, but it seems it's not taught to Baldr's heirs."

He blows the pink strand into her face before departing.

[four-loose-screws]

FE4 Suzuki Novelization Translation (Gen II) - Chapter 11

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Chapter 11 - The Children of Thracia

The next day, the liberation army began to march. Their destination was Queen Hilda's Chronos Castle.

Along their path was a wooded region, where a mage unit was waiting for them. 

"Rout the enemy, then press onward!" Seliph yelled, then led the charge into the enemy formation. 

His image vividly resembled that of "Blood-Soaked Sigurd," the great hero who'd made his enemies tremble in fear, and inspired his allies.

The liberation army cut down the enemy in the blink of an eye, then trudged through the forest.

After that, no one else interrupted them until they reached Chronos Castle.

"To Chronos!"

In response to his words, all units charged.

Hilda fled, fearing their power.

-

Right after that, they traveled west to Lados Castle, where they were met by a cavalier unit led by General Ridel. 

Ridel had only been carrying out the child hunts, so the sight of the liberation army made him overjoyed.

"It looks like we'll be able to fight our first decent fight in a long time! All units, chaaaarge!"

Ridel's cavalier unit was powerful. However, after fighting so many successive battles, the liberation army had mastered the best strategy to use against cavalier units - endure the first wave, then shift the tide of battle with a counterattack. 

It was a difficult fight, but once it was over, it was clear that the liberation army had claimed an overwhelming victory.

There was a large group of children being held at Chronos Castle, but none of them were from Thracia. The Thracian children had been taken to Grannvale the day before.

"Then we must hurry after them!"

"Please wait. There is still Lados Castle to the west. If we ignore it and all march onwards, the soldiers there will come to threaten us from behind.”

Seliph nodded at Oifey's proposal. "Oifey, you're right. Alright then, just the cavalier unit will attack Lados Castle. The infantry will all head towards Miletos Castle. When we take Miletos, next will finally be Grannvale."

-

The person who took the Thracian children to Miletos was Crown Prince Julius' beloved, Ishtar.

She loved him from the very bottom of her heart, and wished to make him happy, so she did whatever he said, no matter what it was. However, that did not mean that she gladly executed all of his orders. She questioned his orders relating to the child hunts in particular.

They arrived in Miletos at around three in the afternoon. The children were all given a simple meal, then ushered into a room. Afterwards, she went in to check on them, and, probably because they'd been so tired, they were all nestled within a pile of straw and fast asleep.

Ishtar saw nearly twenty children's sleeping faces. They looked completely innocent, as if they hadn't seen any of what they’d experienced on this trip. Some had tear stains on their faces, and every time she saw them, she felt a pain in her chest.

'What if it were my child?'

She had that thought because she'd recently started to suspect that she may be carrying Julius' child.

'If I told him we're going to have a baby, I wonder what he would say?'

When she returned to the castle's main building, Julius was unexpectedly there to see her.

"It's been so long since we last saw each other, Ishtar. I heard you brought the Thracian children here."

"Yes."

"How are they?"

"They are tired, but none of them are ill. They are all smart, cute little children."

"Excellent. I want you to send them to Belhalla straight away."

"I will."

"No, wait. It appears that someone else will take them to Belhalla. I've thought of a better idea for us." A mischievous smile, like that of a child's, crept upon his face. "Would you like to play a game here with me?"

"What kind of game are you thinking of?"

"Tomorrow, the rebel army will come this way. Let's see who can kill one of their soldiers first."

"I understand. If it's a fight, then it will be fun."

"Oh, so it wouldn't be fun if it were some other game." 

Julius glared at her, and it felt as if he could see right through her and at her heart, making her panic. "Of course… I didn't mean it that way…"

"Well, it’s fine, then. But random soldiers won't count. It must be someone with some fame to their name. Someone with the blood of a royal family is best. Look at their weapons and armor, and choose your enemy wisely."

"Yes, Milord."

-

The next morning, as the two ate breakfast, Bishop Zagam appeared before them.

"The rebel army has broken the barrier and invaded this territory. "

"Don't get yourself worked up. There's still two hours left before they get here. Until then, leave things to the front line."

"Y-Yes, Your Highness!"

Julius glared at him, then Zagam walked away, looking confused.

When they finished their meal, Julius said with a smirk on his face, "There's still some time left. Shall we go to the bedroom and rest for a bit?"

As he made love to her, Ishtar thought, 'Should I say it? ...I'm still not entirely sure. ...If he finds out later that I was mistaken, he might get angry. If I wait another two weeks, then I'll know for certain…'

Just before noon, the two lined up and walked out of the Miletos Castle gate.

The rebel army still had not gotten close yet.

"Do not leave here. The fools will probably come to us.”

"Understood, Milord."

As a descendant of one of the Crusaders, Ishtar did not dislike fighting. 'I have Mjölnir. There should be no one who can match me.'

While they waited, the battleground moved closer and closer to Miletos Castle.

'That's it, come closer, so I can show Lord Julius my power.' At that moment, she saw a mage running towards them.

"Lord Julius, I've won, yes?" She said, then gasped.

The mage was running unnaturally fast.

'He's wearing a Leg Ring!' She thought as he rushed up to her.

Ishtar panicked and tried to cast a Mjölnir spell, but her opponent was a split second faster.

He hit her with a strong gust of wind, sending her flying to the ground. 

Even upon watching that occur, Julius' expression did not change. He cast a spell on her limp body that revived her.

"You lost." Was all he said. He did not even extend a hand.

'He does not know what death is,’ Ishtar thought, 'so his heart is not moved by the deaths of others.' She felt the area around her chest become cold.

A second later, she was suspended in the air. 'He's warping me.’

When she regained her senses, she was in the reception room of Grannvale's Chalphy Castle.

Emperor Arvis was sitting on the throne.

She walked up to him, then bowed to him in a manner worthy of the emperor. "It's been a long time since I saw you last, your Majesty. I hope you have been well…"

"Ishtar, about the twenty children arrived a short time ago. I heard that they were brought here by your order. Is that incorrect?" He sounded as if he was blaming her.

"Y-Yes, it is.."

"Was it ordered by those who normally carry out the child hunts?"

"Yes. It was by Lord Julius' orders that I do it…"

"Please return the children to their parents. Tell Julius that I said to do so. I think that even you do not truly wish to do this job.”

"Y-Yes, Your Majesty."

Just then, Julius appeared between the two of them.

"Father, your selfish actions are causing trouble. Ishtar is my subordinate!"

"Julius! You…"

"You still do no't seem to understand, Father. You just recently promised not to speak out about what I do, did you not? Or are you planning to try to banish me again?"

"No…" Though he denied it, Arvis glared at Julius. 

Julius calmly glared back. Their eyes were locked in a battle all it's own.

Finally, the one to look away first was the father. "I know it would amount to nothing even if I did oppose you. I won't say anything further." There was no power in his voice. It was the voice of a man who knew all of his hopes and dreams in the world had been destroyed.

"So long as you understand. Miletos Castle will fall any moment now. The rebels will target this castle next. Of course, Father, I believe I asked you to guard this castle. Have you sufficiently prepared to do so?"

"I have, but I will go check the unit's deployment status once more." The betrayed father said before walking out of the room.

"Now then, Ishtar, you look tired. Shall we rest for a bit?"

"N-No… It is my duty as well to protect the capital. I must prepare, and…"

"What's wrong? Do you want to run away from me now?"

"No… not at all! I love you."

Julius chuckled. "It's fine, you know. I won't stop you. I never lose, but you should prepare yourself until you feel at ease.”

"Thank you. Excuse me.. "

Julius, now alone, sat on the throne, and relaxed. 

Archbishop Manfroy soon appeared from behind him.

"Is that you, Manfroy?" Julius asked, not moving an inch.

"Yes… Arvis is now only the emperor in name alone. What a miserable man."

"Don't speak of other people's affairs. Nobody else sticks their nose in your business, do they? By the way, how is Julia doing?"

"I moved her from here to Velthomer yesterday."

"Oh, really? Has her memory returned yet?"

"Yes, completely."

"Then I shall go to Velthomer as well. She is my blood sister, after all. I should speak with her at least once before she's killed. You're coming too, Manfroy."

“As you wish, Your Highness."

Julius' body was bathed in a beam of light, and Manfroy followed soon after.

-

Arvis, upon returning to the castle, called the priest of Chalphy, Palmark, into his room.

"How are the children who arrived today doing?”

"The Loptrian priests put them in the dungeon." Palmark answered vaguely.

"I see." Arvis muttered with a grim look on his face, then sat in front of a small desk. He wrote a few words on a piece of the emperor’s stationary. Then he lit a red candle and pressed the melted wax atop the paper. Finally, while the wax was still soft, he pressed his ring on it to make his seal.

"Tonight, while the members of the Loptr Church are asleep, show this to the guard, and have him unlock the children. Then, take them and run. If you cross the bridge over the strait before dawn, then the rebel army will be just beyond there. No, I suppose I should call them the liberation army. If you are found by any soldiers along the way, you should definitely show them this. But it has no effect on Loptrian priests, so be careful. If you’re alone with children, chances are, they won’t overlook the fact that you are taking them somewhere.”

The message on the stationary read, “Palmark's word is my word. Emperor Arvis.”

Palmark took the letter from Arvis. "I will follow my heart, no matter what.”

"There's one more thing I want you to take." Arvis said, then walked up to the wall and opened a hidden cabinet. He took out a single sword and gave it to Palmark.

The scabbard’s design was simple and made of silver, but the guard and hilt were finely carved, and the tip of the hilt was inset with a glittering blue gem.

"Th-This is..."

"You served Duke Byron, correct?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Then you should know very well what this is."

 "I-I do."

"Then go. Take care of the children."

"Yes, I will. I will, Your Majesty."

-

When night fell, Palmark went down into the dungeon.

The guard didn't give him any trouble, but it was difficult to awaken the children. And some of them screamed the moment they woke up, making Palmark's heart skip a beat every time. It took much more time for the children to understand the situation and silently follow his orders than he'd thought it would.

They otherwise had no choice but to open the castle gate, so he decided they'd go out the emergency exit instead. The soldiers guarding it also silently let them through at the sight of the emperor's stationary.

Luckily for them, the moon was full, and they didn't need any torches.

Once they were a short distance away from the castle, they reached an area where some soldiers had set up camp.

'There's Loptrian priests among them, so it's too dangerous.’ Palmark thought, and decided to take a detour.

He distanced himself far from the campsite without being noticed by anyone.

'Now no one will be able to hear the children, even if they raise their voices.' Freed from his nerves, Palmark shouted out without thinking, "Children, we're safe now! All we need to do is head straight south and cross the strait."

"Really?"

"He said we're safe!"

"Yaaaaay!"

"He said we should go south!"

"I know which way south is! We should follow that star!"

"Let's go! Hurry, let's go!"

The children started to run away. Some even skipped.

Palmark followed after the children as his breath became ragged. "Hey, hold up! Not so fast! I can't keep up!"

However, the children were so happy that his words had no effect on them.

"He said we should go to the sea!"

"We're almost there! I can smell the saltwater!"

"Let's hurry!"

"Wait! Please, wait!" Palmark finally yelled very loudly.

And the children finally stopped running.

But when he caught up, he realized the real reason why they had stopped.

They were at the edge of a steep cliff. Beyond it was nothing but dark sea waters.

The children all made scared faces and looked up at Palmark.

'The bridge! Where is the bridge?' He strained his eyes and looked left to right, but couldn't see anything nearby that even resembled a bridge.

Finally, he realized that they'd gone the wrong way. 'Oh gods, what we should do?'

"So what are we gonna do now?"

"Are the dragon knights gonna come get us?"

'Gods, I don't care what happens to me. But please save the children.'

"I'm tired!"

"Me too!"

Palmark was completely exhausted, too. "There, there, we can rest here. We'll wait until sunrise."

At his words, everyone sat down. One child even put their head on his lap and started to fall asleep.

'Maybe we'll be able to see a bridge that will lead us over the strait once it is light out.'

However, knowing where a bridge was didn't necessarily mean they'd know where to go. And there might even be a mage somewhere along the way.

'If there's a mage, I'll think of what to do then. For now, all we can do is wait until daybreak.'

The next time he opened his eyes, he felt terribly drowsy.

"Mister? Hey, Mister!"

A little girl's voice woke him up. Before he'd realized it, the night had ended. 

"Some guys are coming this way!" The girl's voice trembled with fear.

"What?"

He looked towards where she was pointing, and saw five or six mages coming towards them in the distance.

And the bridge over the strait was past them. If they ran from the mages, they would be distancing themselves from the bridge.

"What should we do, Mister?"

"They're gonna kill us!"

"How do you know that?"

"Cause that's what happened to the last children who ran away!"

It was indeed the way of the Loptr Church to kill to set an example for others.

"Come on, let's run away!" Palmark said, and started running.

He was moving in the opposite direction of the bridge, but right now, the childrens' lives were at stake.

The mages were moving slowly, so Palmark and the children were able to widen the gap between them, and soon, they were unable to see their enemies.

'Maybe, just maybe, they might not notice us here.'

However, that hope was soon crushed.

Ahead of where they'd run to was the tip of a small cape, with a steep cliff on all three other sides.

'The mages knew the road ended here. That's why they didn't panic.'

Mere moments later, they could see the mages’ heads on the horizon, and their whole bodies soon after.

"What are we gonna do, Mister?"

"Are they gonna kill us?"

"Everyone, close your eyes and pray." Palmark said.

"Um, to who?"

"To the Crusaders?"

"Yes, pray to whoever comes to mind. Ask them to please save us." And so, Palmark began to pray. 'Gods, please save these children.'

[nonpareiltactician]

💀 & 👀

Get to know the people in my muse’s life || Accepting!

💀 …someone my muse would kill for.

      There are not very many people that he would be willing to kill someone for-- despite being lauded as an amazing tactician, Saias actually detests war and taking people’s lives. This is mainly because, throughout his life, he has never really had the opportunity to grow close to most people, let alone care for them to an extent so extreme. If there was someone he could bring himself to kill someone for, it would be Julia, and only if it meant that it kept her from being killed or harmed in some serious way. Cohen comes in at a close second, however considering the fact that his grandfather kept Saias safe for so long, he assumes that Cohen is more than capable of protecting himself, should a situation turn dire.      Julia, on the other hand, is different.

     While he acknowledges the fact that she could easily hold her ground against someone, he feels obligated to keep her safe. She is-- during the events of fe4/5, and after them-- one of the only family members he has left, and therefore one of the most important people in his life. Since Saias aided in raising her alongside Julius, stepping in when duties meant Arvis or Deirdre could not be around, she quickly became dear to him-- someone he wanted to keep safe, even if it meant endangering himself. Reuniting with her after the war has ended only strengthened this, as he felt partially to blame for everything that happened to her.

      An honourable mention, but specific only to after the events of fe5, is any other remaining member of his family, as he considers himself responsible for both the survival and health of what remains of house Velthomer. It would have to be a really extreme situation, though.

👀 …someone my muse likes, but doesn’t trust.

      August. While he would never claim that every member of the clergy is without their own dark secrets or actions, there is something to be said about an individual who was excommunicated for his knowledge of torture. It really is not something Saias can overlook, despite recognising that he man’s heart is in the right place while aiding Leif, as there was no reason for him to have any knowledge of something that vile while serving the church. That being said, he is able to learn to like him as a person, as Saias does believe that people can change over time, and he finds little reason to doubt that August has done just that. Thus, during his time in Leif’s army, will grow to like August’s resourcefulness and devotion to the cause-- and maybe him as a person--, but will never really trust him fully.

[aurheatum]

nagaficat: from here

Wise is not a word Deirdre would ever choose to describe herself.  Wise is for people like Rhea and Arvis.  People who are able to make the difficult decisions.  Deirdre is not wise but she is glad she has wise people in her life protecting her and keeping her safe.  She trusts Rhea and she trusts her decisions.  If she did not think telling her about Sigurd immediately was the correct decision then that must be the case.

“While your headdress is not the exact same as his crown, I do know that it must wear heavy on your head.”  She might not be wise, but she can at least offer comfort.  “I watched my husband’s ascension to emperor.  Over the years, the bags under his eyes grew and his cheeks became more sunken.  I know quite well how difficult it must be when placed in a position like yours or his though I am quite grateful that you do it.  To know that someone is there to keep me safe…it is comforting.”

Things calm down and they are able to enjoy each other’s company.  Two friends simply enjoying a cup of tea.  Though, perhaps it is more than that now.  Deirdre owes everything to Rhea.  It is her church and her academy that has drawn Seliph here to Fodlan and her magic that has allowed Sigurd to be here as well.  Their family is together because of her.

She laughs and shakes her head as the archbishop inquires about her husband’s tastes.  “Lord Sigurd?  Oh no, not at all!  I am afraid our tastes rarely align.  He does not care for sweets.  We will need to brew him his own pot should he wish to join us.”   She hums as she considers what blends her love might enjoy.  “Perhaps Almyran pine needle?”

Rhea takes in Deirdre’s explanation as she has not her tea, truly drinking each word in and considering it in turn; for the first time she finds it odd hearing of Deirdre’s emperor husband and it takes her a moment to realize that the reason for this is the conversation’s initial topic: Sigurd.

Deirdre had always spoken of them both with equal love and adoration but it had been in past tense, now only one was with her again but the same emotions as always sprung to the surface as she spoke of Arvis Velthomer.

(Was it truly possible to love, nay, be in love, with more than one person? With such sincerity? Rhea stops herself before she can ask herself further why it would matter to her. Lets the realization instead lay there before sinking below the surface again).

“I cannot speak for him, but I sense he would feel the same: that in such positions we are blessed to have ones who understand as well as you do. You deserve to feel safe, Deirdre.”

She would not fail at that.

“I would have loved to meet him,” Rhea says truthfully of Arvis, “and you ever want to speak of him, I would be happy to be of aide, our memories keep love alive; but for now let us focus on Sir Sigurd’s choice of tea. I would not be opposed to another pot of tea and another round of conversation.”

She gestures to their own quickly draining pot as she speaks. "Almyran pine needle, I shall make a note of it; and perhaps... bergamot? I had a friend once much like Sir Sigurd who favored it. I am sure we can find a veritable selection for the two of you to peruse the next we meet."

maybe i'm the shot in the dark

[crystalelemental]

Remember kids, Genealogy fucked up with Julia.  First off, the hell do you mean she and Julius inherited different blood?  How the fuck does that make sense?  Deirdre shared both Naga and Loptous blood, why would Julius and Julia not carry both themselves?  Any time I write about Julia or Julius, I’m playing it as if they didn’t mess this up, and both have that dichotomy of good and evil built into their very blood.

Second of all, who the hell introduces a character that’s had this rough history, give her a moment of resolution and the opportunity to stand up against the evil that’s killed her family and vow to take it out no matter what, then relegate her to a mind-controlled pawn of a lesser villain?  Hell, it’s not even like she breaks out of it under her own will.  Seliph actually has to go out of his way to kill Manfroy and remove the spell entirely before you can save Julia.  That’s just stupid.  You almost gave the female character an act of agency and took literally all of it away.  Thanks for that.  So aside from my rewriting of history to say Julia should’ve just played Manfroy like a fool to get to Velthomer and steal the Naga tome from under him and rejoin Seliph, if we’re really going with the corrupted and possessed Julia it should be a voluntary decision she made to follow in her father’s footsteps, believing he was right that people need to be placed under a central locus of power, but deciding his mistake was being too trusting in the goodness of others and getting burned by Manfroy for trying to be too peaceful.  Evil Julia should be evil of her own will, not some stupid, half-assed possession subplot.