Archive of Our Own ^beta

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Lord Haurchefant,

We have safely made it to Ul’Dah. Count Durendaire is displeased with our accommodations, but for once he is trying to hide his disdain. I think they are quite lovely, certainly far superior to either of our accommodations at Dragonhead. My only real complaint is quite how warm they are, though there is little to be done about that.

Have you ever seen a desert, Haurchefaunt? They are strange things. I am sure we have both read about them, but it truly is something else up close. It looks almost like Coerthas in the winter, covered in thick snow, but the snow is yellow and burns with heat, not frost. The Warrior of Light has suggested we take off our coats and carry more water; the latter is very possible, but I feel underdressed without it on. How do you ever go shirtless?

And, for that matter, how do you not freeze?

Still, we are here safely, and do not seem to be at any risk of harm. May the Fury guide us to victory! In the matters of trade and commerce. In Ul’Dah.

I have maybe bitten off a little too much, but there is no backing out now We can only hope that Count Count Durendaire does not make things worse for us, somehow.

How are you faring? I will have a little snoop around and see if they have anything that might help your legs - winter approaches, however far away it seems in this desert. I am not entirely sure what address we shall be staying at, but if you send letters to the Adventurer’s Guild here they should reach me. 

Fury be with you,

Francel de Haillenarte

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Lord Francel,

My dear friend, it thrills me to have heard from you! I did not expect to hear anything quite so fast, and yet here we are. How hot is it there? While the sun may bake you, I am sure it has nothing on Camp Dragonhead in the spring. Though, I suppose you have only been by when the newest soldiers are training. It is a shame you never came by when I was - you shall just have to leave it to your imagination. How did we not freeze? The hot blood of young Ishgardian men runs in all our veins. With a little practice, you would be able to join us.

More seriously, do listen to the Warrior of Light. If you are being told to take your coat off, the situation may be dire. I would hate to have survived Thordan’s machinations and this blasted war only to lose you, my eldest and dearest friend. Especially to something so mundane as heat.

Speaking of the heat, Emmanellain has been threatening to travel of late. I believe Ul’Dah was on his itinerary - if you see him, please remind him that he promised father he was there to liaise with some pre-Calamity trade partners of our house, not spend all of his time at the dance hall or coliseum.

Do not concern yourself with me, I will manage. Just enjoy your trip, and maybe bring me back a nice scarf from the Weaver’s Guild. The parlour has been rearranged such that I can use it just fine, and your brother is looking into ways I might better access the rest of Ishgard. Or, he is supposed to be doing so - I hear rumours that Ser Aeymeric has also asked him to do something, which surely means he has been entirely distracted.

It is Nald’Thal who oversees commerce, is it not? May the Fury force him into submission that you have success on your path.

I look forward to tales of your adventures,

Haurchefant.

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Lord Haurchefant,

I have seen you shirtless more times than I can count, though not for some time. Father would deem it most inappropriate! We are not children any more, though I am quite sure you could warm a room with your smile alone. There is no need for such blood in your presence, you bring quite enough of it.

If your brother is in Ul’Dah, we have yet to cross paths. That, or he is in disguise. Still, with how few Elezen and how many Lalafell call this city home, I would hope that one of us could spot him. Maybe he has yet to reach the city, or maybe he our paths have just yet to cross. A list of those contacts would be helpful, though; I may have to make a point of seeking him out. Nobody here will talk to us. Much like Ishgard it seems to function based on who you know, rather than what you do. Unfortunately, it has been quite some time since we last made our way there.
Well glad am I to hear that more of the house is now open to you. If my brother has merely forgotten, you would be best off reminding Joye or Augebert of the arrangement. Most of the engineers are as forgetful as he, but I will vouch for them. If he has simply become bored of the project, they are also your most effective allies, though having our fathers speak might also be worth your time. I am afraid Stephanivien is just like this sometimes. I love my brother dearly, but he is not what one calls reliable. I am fascinated to see what he comes up with,  however. It might be useful in the Firmament as well; many of our soldiers were disabled in the war, and some of them may benefit from the same things as you. I will add speaking to him about it to my list for when I return.

Might it be too presumptuous to ask if you could use your newfound freedom to share tea with me? I have missed our talks, and father still will not allow me into your bedroom.

Francel de Haillenarte

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Lord Francel,

Is that a hint of fear I read in your tone? Anything that happens beyond the gates is not of your Father’s concern, and we both know it well. The men of Camp Dragonhead are discrete when it matters - it truly is a shame I never managed to embarrass you so. Maybe you can visit and find Emmanellain shirtless one of these days. Did you not wish to see me shirtless once more? Even with these new scars I am much better built than I was as a child.

I cannot say I am surprised to hear that my brother has failed to do anything useful as of yet; a copy of his list of contacts has been included with this letter. Still, I have yet to tell Artoirel in the hopes that he is just taking a circuitous route. It is not often that one gets to travel, and he should make the most of it before he returns to his command.

As for your brother, he did come by to apologise for his tardiness and take some measurements recently. The apology did not seem to be his idea, but he certainly has more than a few about possible aids! I have mentioned wider uses to him. He seemed to take it under consideration, then asked the maid with him to remind him to look into it, so you may yet have some success.

As for hosting tea, I shall have to speak with Artoirel and father, though I cannot see it being a problem. Why your father would be so against you visiting I am unsure; I certainly have not been well enough to do anything untoward, even if it had been my intent! I had thought that Count Haillenarte trusted me. Clearly, I am mistaken.

Haurchefant

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Lord Haurchefant,

I am a knight of Ishgard and know no fear. This challenge you bring me shall be met head on, though I suspect that Emmanellain’s chest will be less pleasing than your own.

But now, the true purpose of this letter - I am pleased to announce that our business here is near concluded. Thanks to the near divine interventions of your brother, we have finally been able to schedule a meeting. It seems that you and Artoirel need not have worried, for he has taken to the trading business far better than I. He is going to join us for the rest of the trip, and return beside us too. The date for our return has been set for three days hence, and our intent is to return as soon as business is concluded. While this trip has been enlightening, I look forward to the sense of Ishgard once again.

Well glad am I that you have managed to get sense from my eldest brother, and I will be sure to remind him of his agreement later. As for my father, I am quite certain that he trusts you with my life, just not my chastity. You have somewhat of a reputation, I am afraid to inform you.

I look forward, too, to seeing your reaction to what souvenirs we have bought for you. Maybe I shall bring them to tea? This time they are all small enough for my bag.

Francel de Haillenarte

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Lord Haurchefant,

I must apologise for not waiting for your reply before I send this missive as well. It is late, you see, and I find myself ill at ease. It is likely merely the stress of the impending talks on the morrow, and yet I cannot rest.

I know, I know, I should get more sleep.

But I find myself haunted by you. Well do I know that you are safe, if not well, and yet the dread lingers. The fear when you were wounded, the uncertainty, the idea I may never see you again… This night you walk my dreams not as yourself, but as some ghoulish void-possessed abomination who had angled his shield just a little differently, and was hit but a little higher up when that same shield shattered.

Please, do excuse the mood; I thought that writing of my dream may help me to calm down, and yet now I only find it is haunting me the more for the attempt. You have haunted me for many moons now, but thankfully your usual hauntings are a little more pleasant.

Much more pleasant, rather.

Do you think we could kiss? I dream of it on those kinder nights. The taste of your lips, the warmth of your chest, the feel of the snow in your hair.

I dreamt of it last night, too, but all I could taste was blood, and it was not only your armour that was cold.

May you reply soon, and your words ease the anxiety of my concern.

Francel de Haillenarte

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Lord Francel,

Well pleased am I to hear of your imminent return, and Emmanellain’s uses! It has been too long since I last gazed upon your glorious visage. Still, I know well that you are much in demand these days; if you would grace me with your presence, I would be most delighted to host you for an evening of wine and conversation three weeks hence. Which evening and the exact timing to be fit around your schedule. Mine own is, as ever, eminently flexible.

There is, alongside it, a small matter I believe we must discuss. It pertains to your second letter. While I do not believe that you meant to send it - a meddling mutual friend of ours is at fault, perhaps - I wish to reassure you all the same. I am quite alive and, while not exactly well, I am risk of neither death nor further harm. I am safe, Ishgard is well, and look I forward to your return. You, too, are very dear to me, and I fear for you whilst you are away. It was not so very long ago that we were boys, and you needed me to save you. Now, though, I fear our situations would be quite reversed.

Though, if the reversal of situation meant you were also not wearing a shirt, I may be pleased enough to not mind the vulnerability.

As that comment may suggest, I am fond of you. I have been for many years - I certainly would not have charged a bandit camp alone to save just anyone. Even just any other lordling. If you would have me, then you may have me then. If you would not, then it shall merely remain wine between friends. Have we not maintained that for many a year yet?

Do not fear, Francel, for I am here.

Haurchefant