The battle had ebbed and flowed mostly according to Mat’hain’s plan. The rumors proved to be true as a unit of Stormcast moved in towards his people, but they had made them pay. The battle was nearly over, yet he suddenly found himself surrounded by Stormcast on all sides. They were not supposed to be his enemy, but he knew what he had, what the Lord-Aquilor wanted from him—the soul crystal, containing a portion of her father’s soul that he had taken when the conflict was new. He had planned on returning it to her. It was an arrangement they had made in secret to keep the soldiers from questioning motives.
“GAH!” he screamed as her blade found it’s way through his armor, leaving a particularly nasty gash across his chest. Had the Lord-Aquilor wanted, a simple press of the blade forward could kill Mat’hain, but that blow never came. He ducked a wide swing from one of her lieutenants, and the other his deepmere grabbed with its tail. Mat’hain swung back, chinking the Lord-Aquilor’s armor. The concussive force he knew would send its message, leaving her torso with plenty of bruises and a few cuts, nothing like she had given him. He leveled his blade and pushed forward towards her head. Her helmet would protect her, but it would hurt, and he braced himself.
The smell of burning flesh filled the air as the Lord-Aquilor’s armor reacted to the would-be fatal blow, dragging her to a predetermined point. Since it was not fatal, the location was of her choosing, one they had agreed upon. Mat’hain’s skin felt aflame and he struggled to maintain consciousness as he felt a hand grip his ripped tunic. A moment later the brightness was gone and he tumbled to his knees, no deepmere with him he looked up at the battle-worn and injured face of Lucina. “Sorry… for the injuries… Appearances.”
He stumbled onto his back and under a single lakeside tree. It was here he removed his helmet and remains of his cuirass. His face no longer one of pride or arrogance, he had no need of them around her. Not only was she seeing his face, she was seeing him as he truly was. “Ungh….” Mat’hain dug in a pouch and produced a different gem. He focused on it before holding his hand over a hole in his side, the skin beginning to patch itself together. The gash on his chest would take more work.
“I think that will suffice.” Mat’hain smiled up at her. “Thank you for understanding” Another grunt. He was clearly in pain. “Thank you for understanding my people’s ways. Sh-shatter it in his presence only. It will return to the nearest who does not hold this.” He produced the other crystal in his hand—a large one with a bright, burning soul within, or the shard of one at least. Mat’hain’s hand trembled with pain as he dug for any more. “Damn…this gash must…wait.” He laughed uneasily. He could take the soul right now and mend the gash, but in so doing, he would turn Lucina against him again and that was the thing furthest from what he wanted. “Take it…”
“As you wish.” the Stormcast lord replied impassively as ever. Her hand moved quickly to seize the crystal, even as it was apparent the battle had taken a heavy toll on her body as well. “Our quarrel is settled. So long as you do not harm Drakheim’s people again, you and your ilk will be spared. Am I understood?”
“Only if you insist, my sweet.” Mat’hain couldn’t resist another jape.
He could feel Lucina’s eyes narrow menacingly behind her mask. “I insist. You best be off now, before your people wonder who you’ve run off with now.”
Mat’hain held up a hand. “Easy, easy, not more jokes.” He clutched his side and wrapped cloth around his chest. “Why do you fight? Why do you risk your life?”
Lucina stared at him. “To protect the weak, to protect the innocent.” Her tone remained stern and flat.
Mat’hain nodded back at her. “Exactly. I did what I did because it is what is expected of me to ensure my people’s survival. And so that is what I did. But sometimes, the masses are like children and do not know what is best for them. I ensured his survival, yours… and all those taken have been fed, housed and clothed. Upon my return they will return, they have been sheltered from war. Not a soul harmed.”
He moved close to her, looking her in the eye through the slits in her helmet. “No jokes, no games, no conditions… I want to ask you something important, something that has been on my heart for a while… then if you could take me back, I do not know where I am. And if people think we did something else, let them. We know the truth.”
“And what would that be?” Lucina asked, a slight amount of discomfort entering her voice.
Mat’hain pauses and tilts his head. “Are… you alright? Wait… you…” He smirks. “No no no. I mean… if you want to be my queen but, that was not the question.” He laughs to himself. “I want safety for my people. Refuge, asylum. We are not lazy and will work for our homes. Scouts, soldiers. I know of your past, but that is between us. But, it is your city, so I will respect your wishes.”
Lucina lets him wait on her response for a few, long moments. “Your request is granted. See to it you prove an asset to Drakheim, not a detriment. My Hunters will be watching you, Your Majest, so do not think yourself to be able to steal the lives of the citizens so easily.” Ma’thain nods. “Feel free to watch as close as you’d…” He holds up a hand, “no no…” He smiles at her. “Watch as you will, they are just people after all. People who want a home and safety, may I ask one other favor?”
“Within reason.” She response quickly.
“I would like to look at your face, if I may. Then we should return, to end this fight… together.” He says confidently, but friendly.
The Lord-Aquilor sighs. “Very well.” After more long moments between them while she undoes the straps of her armored helm, she pulls off the gold-etched and wolf-faced helm Mat’hain had only known her by. Hair almost the same midnight color as her armor appeared first, resting over her gorget. Lucina’s face is youthful, not many years past her coming of age, but her stoic expression, the hard, lusterless look in her blue-grey eyes reveals age and experience well beyond her apparent age.
Mat’hain smiles warmly at her. “Thank you. I know not everyone gets to look upon your face, and fewer still to live and tell the tale.” He leans over and kisses her forehead like a father, or perhaps a friend. “We will not hunt our fellow citizens; we will protect them. If I do otherwise…” He points on his chest. “Stab here and do not hold back, I know you will not. I will not betray you. And I would not wish to.” He nods. “One last fight, for Drakheim.”
Stifiling an embarrassed flush on her face, Lucina offers her hand. “For Drakheim.” Mat’hain tilts his head unable to help himself, “Are you well Lord-Aquilor? Your skin is looking almost… burned.”
“Of all parts of me my face is quite well. Thank you for your concern.” She replaces the helm on her head. “Now we must prepare for our final battle.” Mat’hain takes her offered hand and nods, scooping up the discarded cuirass. “I prefer, our enemies final battle. I have no intention of dying, nor letting you fall. But instead, them falling.” His confidence returning. “Now, if you could please… send us back?”
“Of course, Your Majesty.” Lucina curtly bows. The Ahekllian grins. “Milady.” He returns the bow, making a mental note of calling her ‘Princess’ later, but not in public.
*Lucina is Keza’s IP and character, story was made with her participation and approval.
