From Death, A New Beginning

Felix sat there drinking.

He was at an inn outside of Svarostadt waiting.

The inn was crowded, the table next to him had family eating dinner. A father, mother, and a cute little daughter with orange hair.

Felix checked the blades on his belt, a black sword with red vines and a black sword with blue vines. Matching and stylish, Edwin had good tastes. Felix took another swig and remembered when Edwin gave Felix his sword with the blue vines.

***

The two men hung the Joshua’s corpse.

Edwin then cut open the corpse’s gut with his blade.

Felix took a deep breath of fresh blood. A great smell.

“You northerners really know how to send a message.” Felix said

“Have to make it clear. This is a declaration that a reckoning is coming. The north is not yet lost.” Edwin replied. Edwin then cleaned the blade with a rag and handed it to Felix.

“Are your sure old man? This isn’t just a fancy piece of junk you give out to your children, right?”

Edwin chuckled, “If it’s too much for you to handle, I’ll take it back.”

Felix looked at the black sword with red vines Edwin put on his belt, “isn’t that Joshua’s sword?”

“It is. We were sworn brothers once. Do you remember Joshua and I talking at the inn?”

“Not particularly, you two sounded like two old men.”

Edwin gave a faint smile, “We were talking about the war over drinks. Joshua was wondered if there was a place in the kingdom for old soldiers like us. That we could live out our final years in peace. What a wonderful world it would be. If the world did not need soldiers anymore. We will have the one of the most common fates of soldiers. No longer needed and quietly fade away. Yet we both knew that wasn’t going to be our fate.”

“Still doesn’t explain the sword.”

“I’m keeping Joshua’s sword as a constant reminder. Of what my actions has cost me.”

"That's hardcore. What did you whisper into Joshua's ear at the end?"

"I let him know the truth about the Restorationist cause."

"Ah, spoiling the surprise for him in the afterlife or I suppose letting him know he didn't die without reason."

Edwin gave Felix a sad smile, "I owe him that much."

"I don't understand through. Aren't you two sworn brothers you said? With even matching swords, why kill him?"

"...Have I ever told you I had a daughter?"

"You have it seemed like a touchy subject so I let it be."

"My daughter died during the sack of Kristianburg. It was horrific. I tried to live a good life for her, to overcome the pain. So, I knew very well the same pain Gideon was going through and when he learned that Joshua played a part in the death of his son. Well, I can't say I crave the same desire for revenge as he does...but, I refuse to leave him alone to shoulder the burden on his own."

"Seems complicated."

Edwin smirked a little, "perhaps."

He then gave a cold glare at the corpse, “We need to forge a strong future, to make sure the next generation can live in peace. I will shoulder Joshua’s death till the end. The same way you will carry my weight when I’m gone.”

Felix shook his head, too much idealism for him. He took the blade gladly it was powerful and probably worth quite a bit of money.

***

Felix ordered another beer.

That’s why you gave me the sword wasn’t it, Edwin? So, I had to stay with your ridiculous cause of yours? Felix thought.

Felix shrugged as he drank, he was no northerner. He had no personal, emotional reason to stay with the Restorationist cause.

They had paid him a lot of coin and will keep paying him more. Besides, finding employment with the Grand Military Council would put him in mortal danger if they ever figured out, he supported the Restorationists. They were not kind to traitors.

Felix pondered on the last time he saw Edwin alive.

***

Edwin prayed in front of Theresa’s grave.

“How I have missed you. I tried my hardest and I ’m sure it wasn’t enough. You can let me know how much of a foolish husband I have been. Take good care of Loise for just a little longer, ok? I know, I know. She is a handful, always had too much energy for her own good.”

Felix waited for Edwin to finish. As Edwin stood back up. Felix spoke,

“This is a beautiful spot.”

Edwin nodded, “we used to go on picnics here. Louise loved to run around and swim in the lake.”

“Don’t understand why we need to stop by here. Both are dead and we still got a lot of work to do.”

Edwin chuckled, “you’ll understand when you are older and have a family of your own. The importance of closures, of goodbyes.”

Felix tiled his head, “are you trying to teach me more lessons old man? Sorry you aren’t my father. You are actually present in my life. So please don’t tell me about feelings and shit. I’m only here for the money.”

“And you’ll be paid well I assure you by our patrons among the northern nobility.”

Felix grunted, “just what I wanted to hear. I mean got a fat pay day for Rudolf. Especially given you did most of the work getting me into the castle and out as easily I did.”

“The people of the north will be grateful for what you have done and what you will do.”

“Right, I suppose. I don’t care what they think through. Let the coins do the talking.”

“As long as you stay with our cause. I am entrusting you with task of upmost importance.”

Felix sighed as he balanced his flip knife in his hand, “yeah. You should have seen the look on Gideon’s face when he learned what you tasked me with. Also did you really leave me with that stick in the mud? He’s even less fun than you.”

“Michael has been her bodyguard all her life, you will have to play nice with him.”

“Alright, old man. But don’t blame me when your cause goes under because you are entrusting a fool like me to protect her.”

“I have my trust in you. We been through a lot already.”

Edwin put his hand on Felix’s shoulder, “I also have my trust that you will find a reason beyond mere coin to keep living your life.”

Edwin’s face turned grim and cold, “I will be gone soon Felix, and you are going to take care of that girl for me. Understood?”

Felix just shrugged, “You have my word, Edwin. When do I leave?”

Edwin looked at the sky, “you will know when to leave when the time is right. Now go back to your tavern. I have my duties to attend to.”

“Aye, commander Edwin.”

Edwin smiled and ruffled Felix’s hair. “Take care, Felix.”

Felix was still irritated about the whole affair but at least he was paid well.

***

Felix chuckled.

Edwin’s death was the right time to leave. The city was in chaos, and he was able to leave easily without issue.

Felix couldn’t help to feel a bit sad thinking about Edwin now. It was his personal philosophy to not get attached to anyone. Yet in the end, he did look upon his time with Edwin fondly. That’s why he went back for him, just to talk to him one last time. Joshua’s sword, the one Edwin had was what he got instead.

“I’m sure Edwin would want to have this sword given to someone equally as stupid and idealistic as he was.” Felix muttered under his breath.

Felix looked up, a man and a girl approached.

The girl. She was a teenaged girl with beaming blue eyes and blonde hair that went down to her back. She wore a flowing blue dress. The girl looked around excited.

Next to her was a towering man with a claymore, Michael.

“Ah, Emily come have a seat next to me.” Felix said raising his mug.

Emily, the girl, smiled as she took a seat. “Felix, I never got the chance to thank you for all you have done for us.”

“Hey, don’t worry about it, kid. That’s why they pay me for.”

Michael grunted as he sat down across from Felix.

Emily looked at the family besides them, “I’m so hungry. That looks so good what did order?” She asked the girl with orange hair.

The little girl giggled, “chicken soup.”

Emily smiled, “that sounds so good! I will order some. My name is Emily. What’s your?”

“My name is Sophie. This my mom Claudia and my papa, Chris.”

The two shook hands, “it’s nice to meet you, Sophie. Where are you all are going?”

“We are going to Kurkenburg. My mom and dad were born there. They say it’s right up the sea. We are going to go east and then go on a ship down to there. I never been to the sea before.”

“That sounds wonderful, Sophie! I never been to the sea either.”

Felix shook his head and smiled as he watched Emily animatedly talk to Sophie and her family.

“Sorry, she has too much energy. It’s been quite a while since she left Svarostadt.” Michael said to Felix.

“Like a princess locked in a castle. Free now and out into the world, she can do all sorts of things. How exciting for her.”

Felix gave Michael a side eye, “from what I understand you think she should have been taken to Gdanskig as well.”

Michael shrugged, “it’s where most of my comrades are. Gideon believe it’s too risky to have her there and potentially our cause being completely wiped out. For now, it’s our sacred duty to see her safe until she can assure her rightful place. Gideon may be under arrest but he still is in command of the Svarostadt forces.”

“Yeah, yeah I heard all about it.” Felix said dismissively and finished his beer.

Felix then leaned in and started whispering,

“I talked with the innkeeper already and let him know we need safe passage through the Blackreach Marshes. Going through the Blackreach Marshes will avoid most people possible. She had already found someone willing to take our commission.”

Michael looked over to Emily and Sophie who were excitedly talking with one another.

“Good work, Felix. Looks like Edwin were right in putting his trust in you.”

Felix chuckled, “You are not the only one who wants to see her safe.”

“So, when do we leave?”

“As soon the man gets here. For now, we wait.”

Felix then waved over a bar girl, “Can I get three bowls of chicken soup and another beer please.”

“Coming right up!”

So, they ate their meal together.

The family left, Emily enthusiastically waved Sophie goodbye with both hands.

“They were so nice. I hope we meet again. Kurkenburg sounds so nice.” Emily said as they left

“Oh yeah?” Felix asked.

“Mmhmm, a town in the southernmost part of the Duchy of Sachsen. There are the calm blue waters of the Skarrage Sea and it’s warm. A quiet, friendly fishing town.”

Felix rubbed his chin and looked at Michael, “Well why not?”

“Huh!? Really?” Emily said excitedly

“Wherever she is safe.” Michael replied.

Felix smirked, “The Duchy of Sachsen is a peaceful province in Lyris. Since they were neutral during the civil war, they don’t have the royal army crawling around the duchy. Also, who the fuck would ever look for her in a small town like that?”

“So, we can really go there? Yes!” Emily said.

Felix looked up to see a man in a ranger’s cloak and an eyepatch looking down at them.

“Are you Felix?”

“That I am. And you must be our guide.”

Felix felt like he seen this man before. Maybe during the war? He had that air of command, that of a veteran soldier.

“We should get moving as soon as possible. It’s a long trip across the Blackreach.”

“What’s your name?” Emily asked

“My name is Konrad.” He replied evenly.

With that the trio prepared to leave.

Emily bounded behind Konrad with Michael following behind her.

Felix chuckled as he took the rear as he watched her as well.

There she goes. The girl was very energetic and full of life, she was an excited girl that was always looking forward to the future.

Emily Strass, the last living true born member of House Strass. The last true hope of the Restorationist cause.

But for now, she was just a girl embarking on a new adventure.

An unknown path.

But that’s what makes life fun.

And so, a new adventure begins.