Chapter Text
There isn’t a lot Amity can say about her time as Commander of the Noceda Empire. She’s protected royalty, she’s taken lives to defend the people, she’s even been forced to deny her Order just to ensure she doesn’t find herself too far gone. Part of her dreads that even now, her hope of redemption might be too late, but she knows worrying about her past misdeeds doesn’t immediately disqualify herself from atonement. All she can do is trust that whatever may or may not come is what she deserves and to work tirelessly to prove she’s not what she easily could have been three years prior.
’You could have fallen so easily before, you didn’t. You aren’t beyond atonement, but you’re still worthy of your second chance,’ she reminds herself, keeping herself externally calm as she enters her family’s personal chambers. ‘Your mother wants to speak with you. Just do what she wants and she’ll leave you be… assuming you complete what she wants of you.’
Crystal light from the chandelier above reveals maps of various Xadia territories and beyond line the walls, an endless chronicle of all the material plane has to offer. A single desk with charts and records on the Blight Family’s exploits is toward the back and across from the main entrance, an eternal position of power. There sits the familiar matriarch of the family, donned in silk robes of purple with a white midsection, a way to stand out among those she sees as inferior.
Decades of training prevent the younger elf from sitting down, understanding exactly how disrespectful such an action will be to her mother. Power or not, the woman refuses to allow for even a second of disrespect, the past lashes acting as all the proof Amity needs to obey her every word. It’s not a pleasant life in her eyes, but it’s an improvement to letting herself fall apart alongside her Order.
It’s a rare day for the Commander indeed, finding her immediate superior smiling for the first time since her daughter has entered the ranks of the Human Empire. She is given her answer why the second her mother pulls out a letter, stamped with the official seal from the human Royal Family.
”Well done. I never thought you’d reach this far,” Odalia praises, glad to see all of her children have done something meaningful. “It seems the empress herself has seen value in you which I have and have not seen thus far, so why don’t we see what your worth happens to be?”
The Paladin dares not object, nodding as the empress’s letter is opened, out dropping a single key and a Military Seal, proof of one’s rank. Neither is paid mind as the matriarch reads out exactly what the ruler of the Human Empire wishes to say about the woman who’s fought for her for three years now.
“By order of Empress Camila Noceda,
”You, Captain Amity Blight of the Gravesfield Knights, courtesy of both your excellence in combat and your loyalty to the cause for the greater good, have been deemed fit for Commander, as well as all the benefits that implies. Your swift ascension of the ranks has deemed you fit for a task few have earned the right to undertake.
”Until your need in warfare, you are to continue your training and to understand the inner workings of your rank. All the while, your primary objective is to protect the daughter of Empress Camila, Princess Luz Noceda, within the palace located within the capital city of Khelyria. For further details, you are to report to Empress Camila Noceda within one week of attaining this notice.”
“‘Benefits include an increase in payment, sufficient lodging within one week of attaining this letter,’ and so on and so forth,” Odalia mumbles, uninterested in the finer workings just yet, her eyes having lit up as she looks back up at her daughter. “I take it you understand how significant this letter truly is, yes?”
”A promotion, proof that my efforts have not been in vain,” Amity notes, understanding the immediate side effects of her promotion. “However, I understand what you wish for me to do upon arriving at the capital. You wish for me to convince the princess to take me as her potential bride-to-be, to ensure your complete control of the Human Empire.”
”Perceptive… You’re most definitely my daughter after all,” the matriarch murmurs with a nod, unable to have tricked the one Paladin she couldn’t deceive. “Of course. We both know what her kind has done to our own, therefore we should be able to regain what is rightfully ours. Your position is of great importance not only to the Blight name, but for the Elven Empire as a whole.”
”Understood, Mother,” Amity replies in a neutral tone, refusing to outwardly show her disgust.
”It’s a shame neither your brother nor sister could achieve what you have. They’re fine diplomats, but you’ve achieved an opportunity even royalty would kill for the mere opportunity of,” Odalia continues to ramble, sliding across her table the armored woman is now entitled to. “Now then, off you go. Your father will see to it that you’re sent straight for the palace.”
With a single nod and a subtle grimace, Amity leaves with her key and seal, hoping she’s prepared for whatever may come next.
If there’s one thing Amity can appreciate about humanity, it’s their dedication to their causes, both good and bad. No matter what time in history, no matter what they may strive for, all humans aim for something, and they will do anything to achieve said something. In the process, they’ve learned to harness the world’s very elements even when only a small percentage of them can truly utilize magic, all in the form of tools and machines.
Everything from self-drawn carriages to blistering factories for metals, they know exactly what they want and exactly how they wish to achieve what they want. She watches as humans of all shapes and sizes learn to accept several things about the world, including that the delicate truce between them and the elves is hanging by a thread. Amity knows part of the story, all the more reason she wonders whether it would be wise to simply stop before she ruins anymore lives. The soldier can’t help but wonder what could happen if they found out how to truly harness magic, whether it be for recreational use or to be developed into another weapon.
Right now it matters little as she and her father near the most important fortress in the entire empire. Spires topped with blue rooftops circle the structure, walls solidly made from magic-infused marble for defense in case of attack. Vantage point over balcony is located across every part of the structure, guards in all shapes and sizes making entry through an ambush or invasion outright impossible without at least some casualties for the opposing side. Only a single bridge, made from the same magic-infused marble, leads in or out of the fortress of a palace, Amity and her father being brought toward the main entrance by that same bridge.
Amity always knew the Empress would only have the finest fortress around, but not only does she feel welcome, but safe just remaining on the bridge. Guards and spellcasters all around ensure nobody except those permitted may so much as approach the front door, the sound of clicking machines just out of view ensuring security remains tight. She suspects recent attacks from a neighboring human kingdom are part of the reason why, which may further explain why she’s needed to protect the princess.
Speculation is all she has at the moment, the sound of her father clearing his throat redirecting her attention, a look of concern in his eyes leading his youngest to worry. His gear, suitable for smithing, is stained after many hours in the main forge of her home, the fact he’s seen off all his children even now proves something within him cares for his family.
“Mittens, you know you’re not required to obey your mother anymore, right?” Alador questions her daughter, exhausted after another long night of tireless smithing.
”I have nothing else to work for. The least I can do is settle in before… whatever comes next,” the Paladin murmurs, picking herself up as the carriage finally comes to a halt. “You know what I’ve done, what I’ve been forced to do just to prove my worth. Why do you choose to stay with Mom in the first place?”
The patriarch grows solemn as he shakes his head, replying, “I have little choice in the matter. I’m a coward for not having accepted the signs sooner; had I just listened to my instincts, we’d be poor but free. At least you, your brother, and your sister have a say in your fates now, to change yourselves into something that is more than a pawn. Tell me, do you want to marry the princess?”
The Paladin shakes her head, feeling a small twinge of dread just thinking about marriage. The last time she managed to take up such an offer was the day she threw away her morals, having taken years just to scrape them back up.
”Then keep within the castle walls and serve the Empress. One day you could retire or run away, at least away from elven territory, should you so choose,” Alador encourages, a small smile across his lips. “Don’t make the same mistake I made. You see the signs, the least you can do is listen to your instincts. Good luck out there, Mittens.”
The youngest Blight nods and hugs her father for what she knows may be the last time. She knows he’s right about one thing: at least whatever comes next, she’ll at least have a choice to make, and it will be her own decision.
Only then does Amity feel the need to push onward, gathering her things and entering the palace for the first time. It’s time to meet the highest authority among the humans at long last.
The halls of the palace are neither full of laughter nor filled with misery. Soldiers of all types are prepared at a moment’s notice, scholars preparing data for immediate and future use, Amity even recognizing several more notable figures among the crowds. Be they Commanders from past battles or Captains with immense success over their many years of service, it would be apparent to the elf that only the finest are able to roam about without risk of reprimand.
She doesn’t find herself being stared at or under scrutiny for her elven origins. She wonders if it’s a side effect of the Empress and Princess’s policies, but she knows they’re not destined to last without cause. Amity knows it’s only a matter of time before loopholes can be found, assuming they’re not disregarded to begin with, only to remember her own objectives.
’Right. Meet the Empress. She wishes to see me personally,’ the Paladin reminds herself, further steeling herself for what’s to come. ‘You have a mission and duties to uphold, you can sightsee later.’
The throne room doors are opened, detailing walls gentle shades of green tiles, the ceiling a light purple by contrast. Pillars of cyan granite line the pink carpet toward the throne itself, level with much of the room, a mixture of steel with violet cushions, with one blatantly inhuman occupant.
However, not only is the Empress not upon her throne, but that someone else is, another elf, a pale, aged woman. The 6’2 inhabitant’s hair is gray, almost white, and reminiscent of an owl’s plume of feathers. Her golden eyes peer in Amity’s direction, the older woman smiling, revealing a golden tooth as she gestures the Paladin forward. Amity recognizes the woman’s features along with her deep red robes and owl-tipped staff, immediately cautious of the sight to possibly the world’s greatest alchemist, elf or human.
’The Owl Lady.’
”There’s the new Commander! You’re a bit early though,” the older elf teases, enjoying watching another of her kind fearful of someone sitting upon the Empress’s throne. “Just wait a second, Cammy’s on her way, should be here in about-“
Bang
“-and there she is,” the alchemist comments, immediately standing and stepping away from the throne.
The second Amity hears the sound of shoes clicking on the floor, she kneels down, having never seen the overall ruler of the human territories before. She finds herself looking up to a single, 5’8 woman with tan skin between her late forties and early fifties, slightly plump with dark-brown, medium-length hair twisted into curls, donned in a simple dress of wool dyed the same cyan as the throne room’s pillars. In her hands she holds what Amity immediately recognizes as a magic staff of steel with a red ruby affixed to the top.
“At ease. You must be Commander Blight,” the Empress greets with what can best be described as tired excitement, adjusting her red glasses. “What a pleasure to meet you in person.”
Amity stands at attention, nodding as she replies, “And it’s an honor to meet you as well, Your Majesty.”
”Please, there’s no need to say that unless we’re in a more formal scenario,” Empress Noceda replies, her words gentle and her tone indicating rejuvenating liveliness. “There’s much to discuss when it comes to your duties of course, but I’d like to know you, Amity. Who are you? Who is Amity Blight?”
The commander can only react with visible surprise upon being asked such a question, having believed herself a faceless nobody the grand scheme of the empire. Instead, the leader of almost every human alive wants to know who both her daughter’s babysitter and her commander is to know her better, seemingly for the sake of it. She detects no malice in her tone and no hint of irony, her overarching superior at the very least seems like pleasant company, and she knows denying an answer would lead to more problems.
”…I’m the youngest daughter to nobles hoping to prove myself more than my title. There is little in my life beyond serving the empire that has given me a second chance ever since I’ve committed… misdeeds, which is part of why I’ve taken upon myself becoming a Paladin. Some may see it as a twisted game, though I’m not sure why I’ve decided to stay in your employ for years now,” Amity admits, unable to read Camila’s expression, just that she’s nodding along and listening. “In short, loyalty to your cause is absolute, though I’m still questioning whether what I’m doing is truly enough. I understand if I’m not suited toward protecting your daughter, but rest assured, …Mrs. Noceda? I’ll uphold my oath no matter what may come.”
The eldest Noceda listens intently, never flinching, never breaking her demeanor for a second. Occasionally she raises an eyebrow, but never displaying precisely what she’s thinking, though making it clear to her commander that she’s being listened to. The Owl Lady, on the other hand, seems cautious at first before expressing a hint of sorrow, whatever she was feeling having been replaced with understanding, seeing the swordswoman before her as more than just a face in a set of armor.
Once she finishes her explanation, Camila replies in an even tone, never hardening, “It sounds like you wish to atone for what you’ve done in the past, that you’re scared of admitting what you once were. You’re not ready to admit exactly what, though it’s clear your attempts at atonement are sincere, which is more than can be said about some people.”
The elf notices the word choice; “people” neither human nor elf. The fact she truly sees her soldier’s intent means much more than past crimes, which seems to have bolstered their relationship for the better to some degree.
”Assuming your words are nothing but sincere, and I’m sure they are,” the mother states encouragingly, “then you’ll have truly earned your redemption. Only your actions will determine what your intentions are, and rest assured, there’s still plenty of time to right your wrongs, whatever they may be.”
Amity feels as if a small weight has been lifted off her shoulders. It’s not enough to completely quell her guilt, but she feels more assured that she’s not a monster, having been given an opportunity to take it no less.
”Now, what about your personal interests?” the empress continues, remaining intrigued. “There’s surely something beyond acting as a soldier to you, yes?”
Several moments pass as the youngest Blight comes to a conclusion, replying in a more timid tone, “…Reading up on folktales springs to mind. Be it genuine or fiction, every story has something to them that intrigued me.”
About fifteen more minutes pass before the talk ends, concluding with Empress Camila Noceda trusting Amity, personally leading her toward her overarching assignment.