I Believe in Hope

“A public fight? My, my… how bold.” Oberon pursed his lips, barely suppressing a smile. “Very well, then. I do love to perform for an audience.”

Especially if his wife would be able to be in attendance. Titania had always enjoyed watching him battle… and he had always enjoyed knowing she was watching.

“I’ll need to fetch my blade from my chambers,” he said. “So name a time, brave madame knight.”

“My shift ends around 10 in the afternoon. I will send you a servant to your chamber, if you want to.”

She hated this idea now. She was supposed to go rest after her shift. Let’s hope she won’t be too weak around that time.

“I will go right to the arena. I am already ready for a battle, after all.”

She heard some guards passing by, hoping no one would alert the whole army for tonight. He might maybe like to fight with an audience, but Arya was a bit shy, and this kind of things didn’t feel right.

[TEXT: Link] ...

“Oh, it’s been years… close to a decade, I’d reckon.” Iago hummed with consideration. It was difficult for him to remember that part of his life– he had been so absorbed in his work for so long that school felt like a blur.

Most things that didn’t involve financial analysis felt like a blur…

“He’s always been one of the few people I find tolerable.” Especially given he had to deal with his boss’ children almost every hour of every day… “Though he may eventually find himself off that list if he continues to force me to abandon my work like this every year.”

Perhaps no one else would understand… but there was nothing Iago found more fulfilling than his work. And it certainly didn’t help that he was dreading the pile of paperwork he would find on his desk when he got back…

What a weird guy. Zola had one friend and it had to be a weirdo. She continued her work, the crust almost done. As if Zola was forcing him. It wasn’t something she could even imagine him doing. He was here because he liked it as well, no doubt about it for the youngest one.

“Oh, poor, poor Iago, forced to quit his job for a couple of days to spend time with the tolerable Zola. I think I might cry.”

She looked at him once the crust was done, and checked the peeled sweet potatoes. She hoped he was good at his job, because he was really slow at cooking.

“What’s so good about your job that you prefer over the only man who treats you like his best friend? Are you that desperate for money?”

“I would ask that you don’t speak so demeaningly about our commanding officer–” Never mind that Iago had been trying to kill her not so long ago. That was, of course, just business–

But Phedre’s request made his eyebrows raise. Not in surprise, but in obvious intrigue.

“…an interesting proposal.” He was aware of Phedre’s situation, of course. She was hardly the only one. “I do hope you realize there is a good reason for both parties being against such a procedure. It has nothing to do with intolerance. Such a matter is dangerous.”

The surgical method was dangerous as well, of course, but less so– the trade off being that it was less complete, though presentation and acceptance seemed to be more important in many (though not all) cases.

“Such a permanent transformation can be a great shock to the body. Many would not survive such a procedure, no matter how talented the mage performing it.” Though if anyone could do it… He didn’t call himself the greatest dark mage in Nohr for no reason. “I realize the disconnect between your body and spirit is frustrating beyond all measure, but is it worth the risk?”

“Come on, Iago. I am in danger every day. You too. We fight, we are soldiers. I think killing people is more risky than magic trying to fix me.”

She took his hands and looked at him right in the eyes. She wanted to prove him that she was more than ready, and trusted him more than enough. He showed off a lot, but there was not doubt about his power. Oh, he probably didn’t liked being touch, too bad, she was kind of a dramatic person anyway.

“It’s not frustrating, Iago. It’s living in hell.”

Her voice broke a little, but she tried to keep her calm. She couldn’t cry in front of him. She was stronger than that.

‘Heheh! I knew you’d agree!’

Moriko smirked. Almost like she had bested someone at… something. Whether that was the case or not was a mystery, however.

‘As for the song… well, uh…’

She paused for a moment.

‘I… can’t really remember the names of any of my ideas. I think one of them was… something about a temple and sand, though?’

Azura thought about...a song from Hayato’s tribe, maybe? She remember that he lived in a very religious place, and they had quicksand... They should probably ask him.

Or make something up. It would be more fun, and she could let Moriko be imaginative. It was always fun to see what children could come with.

“I’m not sure you would be the best choice to fight me.” Oberon turned away from her and brushed his long hair over his shoulder. “When I fight, I prefer my stakes to be high.”

Those who did not know Oberon well were often afraid to step into any sort of arena with him. While his bodyguards were often exempt from such treatment, a simple sparring match could often go to the death, particularly when the old king was caught up in his blood lust.

“You seem as though you would be too concerned for my safety to be much fun at all.”

“I don’t want to have issues with my Queen and King if I killed you, or my people to think you are a murderer if you killed me.”

She let her thoughts run for few seconds. If she spared with him, she had to represent the power of the kingdom. If she went a little too far, they had good healers...

Hmm, what to do...

“Let’s make it a public fight. Let me show to your people that our kingdom is powerful, and willing to take part to such sports with you.”

“Thank you. I tried my hardest to match the decor.” Iago rolled his eyes at her from where he was preparing the sweet potatoes, as she’d asked. He wasn’t much of a cook– when it came to his own food, he mostly just threw together whatever was quick and nutritious and let protein bars and vitamins sort the rest out later– but he wasn’t really concerned about his sweet potato preparation skills being good enough for them

Every year Zola dragged him out of the office and into their home for the holidays. It didn’t matter how much Iago protested or how much work he had to do, somehow Zola always managed to convince him to come…

“You know, we very well could have done without cranberry sauce. I don’t know why Zola found it so urgent to run to the store…” He wished he hadn’t. Though Iago had been visiting every year since he’d met Zola, he wasn’t sure he’d ever had a private conversation with Rose… and he wasn’t exactly an expert at ‘making friends’.

Rose started to laugh, and came next to him to help a little. Gosh this man was slow! She showed him how to do simpler and quicker, and smiled at him. OK now she was more curious of why Zola liked a guy ROSE liked. She couldn’t imagine Zola being friend with someone so vain.

“Good one! Don’t say that to Zola though, the sweetheart did everything. And I prefer my diner with cranberry sauce.”

She giggled and tapped him on the shoulder, happy anyway. If someone with self esteem could help Zola a little, it would be nice.

“For how long do you know my big brother by the way? I heard you were classmates or something.”

Could she trust him? It was such a hilarious question that he had to laugh– and once he started laughing, he almost couldn’t stop. There were tears in his eyes.

(Perhaps… not entirely from laughing.)

“I have tried to kill everyone in this pathetic little army more than once,” he chuckled. “And my loyalty is to King Garon above all else. If he ordered it, I would slaughter you all to the last…

“But if your enemy is the vile creature who stole everything from me, I would fight under any commander’s flag to see him in ruins.”

Azura let her hand hide her mouth. No. It was so sad. He didn’t knew that... It was too late for Garon. She gently let the same head land on the bars of the jail, almost asking him to get closer. He was the only one left here. He had so many things to tell her about...her mother. Her father...

“Iago. It’s already too late for him. Garon... he is already dead. I am so, so sorry...”

She came closer.

“But we can do something. You. Corrin. And me. We need you. Please...”

She closed her eyes. It was painful to imagine that the man in front of him lost two kings he liked. People are loyal for no reasons.

“You certainly know how to speak my language.” Iago chuckled, crossing his arms. He certainly fit that description… he was Nohr’s greatest sorcerer, no matter whose side he was on.

And he’d abandoned his morals a long time ago, the first chance he got.

“Though it will have to be quick; Lady Corrin invited me to a private strategy meeting this afternoon.”

“Private, uh? Sleeping with the cute princess already? Damn, Iago. I know you have some charm, but that fast? That girl is an easy one.”

She was joking, of course, but didn’t let that forget about her goal.

“We will have to take our time, I am not giving you an easy task here Iago.”

Oberon could barely suppress a yawn as she explained the so-called entertainment her kingdom offered. He so hated straying from the Unseelie Court, where his people would fall all over themselves to fulfill his every fleeting desire…

“An arena, you say?” Now his interest was peaked. “Pray tell, what sort of battles go on there? And who may participate?”

Oberon enjoyed watching blood sports as much as the next Unseelie, but he much preferred to be the one engaging in such activities, when and where possible. It had been too long since their last good war…

She immediately understood what he wanted. His attitude let her thought he was just another noble who was too impressed by himself to even enjoy others. But he was just someone who liked to fight, or to see people fight.

“Anyone who would like to fight, and prisoners, for the King’s own enjoyment.”

She couldn’t say a word, but she hated that. It was too immoral.

“Would you like to fight? I could spare with you, or find a person who was sentenced to death. It depends of how you like your opponents.”

“Such matters simply bore me.” Oberon sighed, a dramatic sigh from deep within his chest. “I have no power to make decisions, and very little to contribute. I decided I would rather explore and leave such matters to my darling.”

In all honesty, exploring bored him as well. He so sorely wished for the presence of his guards, Keeran and Sable, but for the sake of keeping their entourage small they had elected to leave them behind.

Now he had no one to sword fight with…

“I don’t suppose this place has anything in the way of entertainment?”

Arya looked at him, and remembered that he wasn’t probably royalty to begin with. He was only the husband of the Queen. His manners were quite off for a King, but it didn’t stop Ari from serving him the best she could.

“I understand. We actually have some very good shop tourists often enjoy, and beautiful architecture. We use fluorescent stones, making the place beautiful at night, or when it rains.”

“But if you would prefer, we have an arena.”

Like every year, Zola had the good idea to replace their mom with Iago. Well, not really, since Iago was invited to come over for Christmas even back then, but she had that feeling, sometimes, that Zola tried to find someone else to replace their mom.

Rose put the plate in the oven, before looking curiously at Iago. She gave him a job when her brother was out shopping.

“Is everything alright with those sweet potatoes?”

She had a hard time being friendly with him, but she did looked up to him. He was really a good influence on her brother. She turned back to face him, crossing her arms. Well they could talk and get to know each other, for once.

“Also, you did a great job finding the ugliest sweater.”

Rose, Zola’s sister was added with 2 verses: Modern and FE: Heroes.

@enchanting-muses for the starter call!

‘Hey… hey, auntie! You know what we should do? We should do like… a… a duet thing! Or… whatever it’d be called, I dunno! I could slay some taiko drums while you sing!’

Moriko seemed so very enthused about the idea. Her eyes practically glimmered as she… unintentionally stared at Azura with high expectations.

“It is...”

It was difficult to talk with children. They wee all so full of energy, dreams, she was always a bit overwhelmed by their presence, but Moriko was her niece. And she was truly cute.

“Be careful, Lady Azura. Such discussions have to be conducted carefully…” After all, she might be the only other person who understood the consequences of Anankos’ terrible curse as completely as he did.

“I knew your father. And your mother, of course.” He let out another sigh. Painful memories, all around… “Your father was a good man… a good king. I served as his adviser and counsel, just as I would eventually do for your step-father…”

They were bittersweet memories. He remembered the last King of Valla quite fondly, but it was impossible to think of him without thinking about what that horrid dragon had done to him…

He wasn’t anyone then. And somehow, it didn’t surprise the songstress. Iago was too peculiar to be from Nohr. And his face was too familiar, she wanted to trust him so badly. She had to ask Corrin her opinion. It would be hard, because she couldn’t give all the information, but...

“Iago.”

His named sounded like something she already said, long ago.

“My my… so formal.” Oberon let out a hearty laugh. “I am Oberon, King-Consort of the Unseelie Court. I’m here for a parley– or rather, my wife is. I find such matters dull.”

“My apologies, King Oberon. I overacted. The parley is this way, if you still intend to go, I can escort you.”

Ari didn’t remember seeing the Queen, but the Kind-Consort seemed very nice. Maybe she walked to the other entrance? It was quite rare for people to come from the East of the Castle anyway.

@enchanting-muses | continued from x

Iago let out a bitter bark of a laugh. He leaned against the cold stone of his prison cell, legs folded under himself. Although he had only been captive for a few days now, he looked like he hadn’t slept in almost a month.

“I suppose it was too much to ask for one person to remember…”

“I’ve known you since you were very young, Lady Azura.” He considered his words carefully. He knew better than anyone the consequences of loose lips… “In fact… I was there the day you were born.”

Azura didn’t even thought it was possible. She looked at him, deeply. Could he... be from Valla?... No. Her mother only talked about Mikoto and Corrin... it couldn’t be... And from her birth?

“Were you friend with my mother? Or my father? Please. Try to explain to me. If you say the truth...”