Chapter Text
Enbarr
Horsebow Moon 1186
As Petra patrols the inner chambers of the Imperial Palace, her heart sinks. The hour has grown late and the sun has long set. Harsh shadows cover the palace, with only faint candlelight to guide her. The battle in Enbarr has ended and with it, the war. Fatigue overwhelms her from fighting on the front lines, yet she cannot sit still. She volunteers to join the scouts in exploring the remains of the palace. Anything to get away from the funeral pyre.
All of the dead Imperial soldiers are to be cremated, away from the capital square. The fallen Kingdom soldiers will return home, hopefully to their families and territories, but they cannot do the same for the Imperial soldiers. The Kingdom will try to show due diligence to the corpses, but there are simply too many of them to pay full respects. So it will be a mass burning. As one passes from this world to the next, one’s bones turn to dust and their spirit rises up with the smoke to rejoin nature’s cycle. That’s what she always believed. But knowing that Hubert is among the dead, she cannot bear to watch.
He served as an obstacle to their path many times during their campaign across Adrestia, in Gronder, at the Silver Maiden, in Brigid… Yet Hubert always managed to survive.
Hubert remained as the last blockade to the Imperial Palace and Ferdinand delivered the finishing blow. After they seized the palace and the fighting ceased, she saw Ferdinand retreat to his tent, tears running down his face. Adrestia was his home and despite their differences, Hubert and Edelgard were his friends.
All her old classmates from this region have tears to shed. Watching their home be destroyed… Petra can only imagine the devastation. If an enemy attacked and destroyed Brigid, her heart could never forgive them. Yet, Petra has had no time for tears. There is much work that needs attending and the Empire needs much stabilizing.
For now, she must search for records and documents that can help the Kingdom gain better control on the region. Once stability returns to Fódlan, Brigid will have its freedom.
As she passes through the Imperial library, she spies a small room in the corner. The scent is familiar; bitter, yet rich. It reminds her of coffee. She pulls the door, surprised to see it unlocked, and enters. The aroma grows stronger and her heart sinks down to her stomach.
This room belonged to Hubert. The immaculate set-up, the various books on strategy and poisons, the unwashed cups of tepid coffee- the room certainly has his spirit. She spies his desk and starts digging through his records. Hubert has detailed notes on numerous fronts, from battles to supplies to Emperor Edelgard’s needs. He always did take on too much work.
In a drawer, she finds a mysterious sealed letter addressed to the King. How bizarre. Was this behind the Emperor’s back? Why would Hubert wish to speak to the King?
She tucks the letter within her satchel and continues her search. All these records and files need inspection, far more in-depth than she give now. She will have to alert the other scouts of this hidden room. As she prepares to walk out, a sudden flash of blue catches her eye. On the windowsill, she spies an unusual trinket, resting in an ink bottle.
A bright blue feather, with red and green coloring mixed in, similar to the Brigidian Macaw located on the main island. It almost reminds of the time she-
She hesitates, an odd feeling sinking in. Her stomach clenches and her hands tremble as the stinging tears roll down her face.
He kept the quill. After all this time, he kept it.
Ah yes, I know this feeling. I know this feeling well. It is regret.
For the paths that will never cross.