Chapter Text
Erk checked his pack for likely the tenth time, withering under the passive, yet intense gaze of his adopted father. Where was Priscilla? Had she been waylaid by Lady Louise again? He knew his mother didn't want them away on this trip, but Pent had barely said a word regarding it in the last fortnight, which was somewhat more terrifying to deal with. Every time he’d mentioned it, or Louise had raised her concerns, he’d simply laughed, murmured some variation of ‘It shall all work out, no?’ and moved on. But now? Erk felt like all the judgment of the world was being projected onto his very soul by his silver-haired father.
It had been three years since Elibe had been saved from the threat of Nergal, the Black Fang, and the long-exiled dragons. Three years after Eliwood’s little force had returned as heroes, it’s members dispersed back to their homes or returned to wandering across the land. For Priscilla - the woman who had become Erk’s betrothed in recent months - it had been the most exciting few months of her life, drawn up in a conflict so much larger than herself. For Erk… well, he’d already been involved in Caelin's royal dispute with Lady Lyndis, so a plot to destroy the known world wasn’t that out of line. Moreso, travelling with such a merry band of colourful characters deadened one’s susceptibility to insanity.
At the very least, fighting the return of the dragons made everything that came after feel positively benign by comparison. Which didn’t do much to lessen the gravity of his following endeavours - the pursuit of courting Priscilla, his once-proctee and soon object of his affection. Which helped, as everyone from his parents to his friends had told, the same had been true for Priscilla towards him. After two years of awkward meetings and encounters, finally the two magi had admitted the burgeoning feelings growing between them, and a courtship began in earnest. Another year, and that courtship had become a promise of marriage.
But the itch that had dominated Erk for the better part of a decade continued to dance down his spine - wanderlust. The world was endless, for all intents and purposes, much as the study of magic was. There were so many places to visit - Erk had never seen Ilia, nor the eastern reaches of Sacae. What would he see there? What could he learn?
But above all, there was the selfish bend to it all; beyond the wanderlust, the desire to reconnect with friends and allies alike, Erk just wanted to be alone with Priscilla. Even if she lived in the Mage General’s estate with the now, even if she shared his bed more often than not, it was so rare that they had time to themselves. When they weren’t working or helping Pent and Louise, they were frequently drawn into childlike games, adventures, and general childcare for Klein. Pent and Louise’s three-year old son, marked with the golden hair of his mother and boundless curiosity of his father, adored his brother and future sister-in-law, and seemed to have a knack for hunting them down no matter where the young lovers had sequestered themselves.
And it didn’t help that things were growing chaotic in Lord Pent’s estate; Louise was pregnant again, due in several months, and there was no end of business in the manor. Politicians, soldiers, and diplomats coming to speak with Pent, and innumerable well-wishers and planners for Louise and her second biological child. Erk was always needed here and there, further limiting Erk’s free time. So after discussing the issue with Priscilla again and again, they decided it was time for them to strike out on their own. After all, it had been three years since either of them had left Etruria; Erk missed the open countryside, and Priscilla, emboldened by the campaign against the Black Fang, wished for another adventure by Erk’s side.
For the thousandth time, Erk prayed Priscilla and Louise would just warp in between himself and Pent, for anything to break this awful silence he found impossible to penetrate. His pack was perfect, not a single thing out of place, but he continued to rummage, to keep his hands busy, his head down.
“Erk.” Pent’s voice called out softly, making Erk tense up. Slowly, Erk straightened up and faced his father, expecting a long-overdue reprimand. In the three years since the conflict with the Black Fang, Pent had aged visibly; darker rings hung beneath his eyes, his silver hair turning closer to white. Political matters kept him busy, and the approaching birth of his second biological child just stretched him even further. But still, despite everything, Erk had never seen a moment of rage, annoyance, or frustration in his father’s eyes. Now, as always, his eyes always twinkled with amusement and kindness as he addressed his son.
“Y-Yes, L-... Father?” Erk stuttered. Pent regarded him for a few seconds, before stepping forward to wrap his adopted son in a gentle, yet loving, hug. Erk stiffened, still not used to this level of physical affection from Pent. He’d always shown his love, but prior to the events at the Dread Isle, he’d felt physically, if not emotionally, distant at times. It took Erk a few seconds, but he reciprocated the hug, feeling his heart twang as he did.
“I may not be your true father, but when I see you drawn to the road, to the great unknown… I see my true son.” Pent murmured in his ear. “You’ve done well to strike out on your own, to carve your own way in life. To find a calling, a drive… and someone to share it with.”
“I-I…” Erk swallowed, unsure how to reply. “Thank you, Father. I wish L-...U-Um, Mother understood easier than you.” Pent just chuckled at Erk’s concern.
“Your mother will understand - it’ll only be a year, if that, and you understand that when you return, the both of you will be doing anything and everything to support your mother and new sibling.” His eyes twinkled again, more seriously, and Erk nodded vigorously, understanding perfectly.
“Of course, Father.” Erk replied. Pent’s expression softened, and he patted his son’s shoulder.
“Be safe. Be smart. Keep your mind always open to all possibilities.” His mouth stretched that little bit further, his amusement growing. “Especially in regards to Lady Priscilla. As exciting, and beautiful, pregnancy can be, out on the road - before marriage, at that - is not quite the place.” Erk blinked a few times, trying to process what his father was saying, before a mighty blush exploded across his face. He tried to splutter a reply, but anything he said was drowned out by the gentle laughter of his father.
“I’m not - I-I mean, we aren’t- The wedding isn’t-” But his father wasn’t listening, shaking his head in amusement.
“Young men often claim wisdom, but when it comes to practicing it… Well, we’ve all made mistakes.” Pent laughed merrily. “I only jest, son. I’m simply imparting whatever little wisdom I have left to provide to my ever-talented son.”
As far as Erk could remember, Pent nor Louise had never spoken to him regarding sexual education, trusting in his natural curiosity, his reading, and the promise that he’d ever speak to them if he didn’t understand anything. Erk, despite spending most of his life barely thinking of romance or sex, had learnt perfectly on his own, so hearing his father joke about such matters was actually kind of mortifying. What was more mortifying, though, was that Pent didn’t seem to be done.
Thankfully, before Pent could continue to tease his son, Priscilla, Louise, and Klein entered the entrance hall, Priscilla dropping her pack to her feet as she joined her betrothed. Pricilla was dressed in a long brown travelling dress that fell to her knees over thick black leggings and brown boots, her pack slung over one shoulder. Her auburn hair, having grown in recent months, had been braided to retain its bob-like appearance it had held when he’d first met - and fallen - for her. His adopted mother was wearing a simple, long white dress that showcased her heavily pregnant form; the physicians estimated it was another three months until the expected delivery date for her second biological child.
“You all right, Erk?” Priscilla asked, gazing between his mortified expression and the amusement practically radiating from Pent.
“Oh, dear…” Louise giggled, slipping an arm around Pent’s own. “Are you being a pest again, dear??” Pent just laughed to himself, shaking head.
“No, no, just…” He threw another smile at his son, who just looked down at his boots in embarrassment.
“It’s f-fine, Father and I were just sharing a private joke about travelling.” Erk coughed, clearly moving on from the discussion. He saw Prisclla and Louise share a look, and he felt a lump in his stomach forming. His mother didn’t look agitated or particularly sad - had Priscilla managed to disarm her anxiety about their departure?
“Yes, yes. But more importantly: where shall you be travelling first?” Pent asked, following Erk’s lead. Louise and Klein now stood beside him, Klein’s eyes were growing misty as he began to understand what was happening.
“We’ll probably strike out to Sacae first, visit Lady Lyndis and Florina first.” Erk explained, drawing out the mental map he’d been building for the last fortnight. “After that, I expect we’ll travel to Ilia to see how Canas is doing, as he promised to share some books with me. It won’t be too warm in Sacae, and we’ll be in Ilia before the snows come.” Behind Louise, Priscilla raised her eyebrows, amused and what he wasn’t disclosing. There were a few other places he planned to travel, but he’d kept those details to himself; if Louise knew he planned to travel back to the Dread Isle, he’d never be allowed out of the house again.
“A good plan.” Pent nodded, but it didn’t seem to fully satisfy his mother.
“Still, make sure you dress warm!” Louise exclaimed, worry still alive in her eyes. “Ilia is always cold, and make sure to stay warm on the plains in Sacae! The night winds can be harsh, and-”
“I told you, we’ll be smart.” Priscilla laughed, placing a hand on Erk’s arm as she reached his side. “We’ve checked over our packs a dozen times each, and if there’s anything we missed, we’ll be stopping in a town a few days in, so we can pick up anything there.” That seemed to satisfy Louise enough, and she relaxed.
“It’s good of you to follow in my footsteps, yes, yes.” Pent said, nodding with apparent wisdom. Louise just rolled her eyes.
“Dear, the first time you went travelling after our marriage, you came back that very evening because you forgot to pack a second set of clothes.”
“I…” Pent coughed, colour rising in his pale cheeks. “I don’t recall that, Louise.” Erk chuckled quietly as the clawless back-and-forth began.
He glanced to his side, to his own betrothed, before noticing Priscilla wasn’t quite listening to Pent and Louise’s back and forth. Her eyes were locked on Klein, who was starting to shake with emotion, little tears drizzling down his cheeks even as he desperately tried to hold them in. The spitting image of Louise - mostly due to the long, golden hair sprouting from his little head - he was an odd sight, a mix of regality and childishness that clashed notably.
Growing up at such a high place in Etrurian society, he had to maintain a certain level of decorum in public appearances - but he was still just a three year-old boy, and when it came to Erk and Priscilla, he wore his emotions on his sleeve. He worshipped the ground Erk walked on, and had a deep affection for Priscilla that rivalled his love for his parents. The auburn-haired girl walked over and squatted beside Klein who was vigorously rubbing his face to hide his tears. Erk held back for a moment, letting Priscilla have the moment with his brother.
“Hey, Klein…” Priscilla murmured. The little blond body sniffed loudly, holding back all-out sobbing, but little tears dripped down his pale face. Despite his young age, he had all the makings of a prodigy, well-aware of the surrounding world - he just wasn’t good at putting it into words.
“Mmm?” Klein sniffed again. “Are you really going away, Prissy?” Erk couldn’t help but smile at Klein’s name for Priscilla. The little master had been a quicker learner when it came to talking, but he still struggled with longer names. Or shorter names. Or maybe he just liked giving nicknames to people.
“Not forever.” She murmured, giving both his little hands a squeeze with one of her own. “Erk and I are just going on a trip for a while. We’ve got to go see all our friends.”
“But what about me?” He squeaked, a little choked sob escaping his little head. “I-I’ll miss you.”
“Hey.” Priscilla put two fingers beneath Klein’s chin, drawing him up to look her in the eye. “It’s not like you’ll be alone - you’ve got Mama and Papa, right? And we’ll bring you back presents from all over the world, okay?” There was a glint in his eyes, his lips forming a little smile as that magic little word hit him.
“Presents?” Erk just laughed quietly at Klein’s response, amazed at how quickly his mood was lightened by the promise of gifts.
“Yes, but more importantly, we’ll be back, as well.” Despite the promise of presents, Klein was still fidgeting, unable to really keep his eyes locked with Priscilla. Erk tapped his betrothed on the shoulder, nodding as she looked up at him. She got to her feet, and Erk took her place. It was so strange, being a brother. It had taken years to really understand that Pent and Louise were his parents, but Klein had felt like his true brother from the start - and considering how the young man stalked Erk, Klein felt the same as well.
“Klein.” Erk murmured, putting a hand on his brother’s arm. For people outside his family - and Priscilla - Erk still shied away, preferring solitude. But ever since Klein had come into his life, with how much the lad loved a hug and to drag people around by the wrist, Erk gave the boy credit in helping him connect better with his family, and the people beyond his familial circle. Calming him now was the least he could do.
“Erky…” He wasn’t quite as upset now, calmed by his future sister-in-law, but he still clearly didn’t want them to go.
“In a few months, you’ll be a big brother. Papa and Mama are going to be really busy, and they might not have as much time for you.” His eyes misted over again, but Erk gave his brother’s arm a little squeeze to calm him. “But remember, they love you as much as ever, and will want you to be a good brother to your sibling.”
“W-Will you send me letters, Erky? Prissy?” Klein asked.
“As often as we can.” Erk reassured him. Klein gave him a toothy grin.
“Good!” He declared, before getting a very serious look. “And you promise to bring presents, Erky?” Klein finally said, and Erk was laughing again, wrapping his arms lightly around his brother. He had all the regality needed as the son of the Mage General - but he was just a little boy, through and through.
As he let go of Klein, off to the side, Erk saw Louise embrace Priscilla, whispering ‘Thank You’ for pacifying Klein. Pent stepped forward, arm on Erk’s shoulder, prompting the dark-haired mage to release his brother and stand.
“All right, we should let them be off.” Pent declared, ruffling Klein’s hair. “Otherwise, we’ll be stuck here so long that we’ll be having the birth here in the entrance hall!” He let out a gentle laugh, one that infectiously caused Klein to start giggling, even if he didn’t quite understand. Louise rolled her eyes and elbowed her husband, who only stopped laughing somewhat. Like her son, her eyes were misty, but she kept her composure long enough to see them away. Guilt bounced around in Erk’s heart, but he held his head high, as he was always taught, as his mother spoke.
“Remember, you’re free to come back whenever you wish. Pregnancy or not, this is both your home, and you’ll always have a place with us.” Louise stepped forward, wrapping both of them in a hug with each arm. Pent joined them, followed by Klein who wrapped his arms around Erk’s leg. Erk let himself marinate in the moment, thankful for all the love he received from his family. He craved the open road and everything he could learn beyond the manor’s outer bounds… but the affection and care he received from Pent, Louise and Klein trumped any of that. No matter what he found out there, with or without Priscilla by his side… that love would always bring him home.
“Again, we’ll write as often as we can.” Priscilla reassured them as the family hug ended “At least once from every country. And if there’s any news regarding Lady Louise’s pregnancy, please contact our friends - once we find out, we’ll head straight back if needed.” Pent nodded, and Louise seemed satisfied.
“Very well.” Pent said. He clapped his hands a few times, and the great doors that marked hte manor’s entrance swung open with a groan. “Goodbye, Priscilla. Be safe on the road.” He lent in to kiss Priscilla’s cheek, before turning to Erk as Louise took his own place. “And you.” He gave Erk a personal, tight hug. “Be safe. I love you, son.” He murmured, before stepping away. Erk blinked a few times, fighting back sudden, emotional tears.
“Bye-Bye, Erky!” Klein waved, holding his mother’s hand. “Bye-Bye, Prissy!” Priscilla giggled, squatting down to give Klein a big hug, as Louise stepped over to her son.
“I love you, Erk. Take care, and remember we’re thinking of you, always.”
“O-Of course.” Erk sniffed. “I love you all, dearly.” Louise wrapped him in a gentle hug, letting him share the breadth of his emotions with her for just a few moments, and a few moments was all he needed. Louise stepped away as Erk wiped his eyes, Priscilla giving his arm a squeeze for support.
No more words were needed. Lest they stay forevermore, Priscilla gave Erk’s arm a tug and pulled them through the portal to the outside, and Erk took one last glance at his family for likely a year, and felt warmer than he’d ever felt before.
Gods, now he really felt guilty about leaving.
And then they were outside, and then the doors were closed, and Erk and Prisclla were alone. Priscilla grinned at her betrothed, Erk answering with just a little smile, and then they stepped off the porch. They moved in silence for a few moments, walking through the gardens of the Mage General’s residence, before they came to the front gate. A guard nodded to the two of them, opening a small door built into the larger gate, allowing them through.
The manor wasn’t too far from a neighbouring town, but it was secluded enough to feel like a little town on its own - the long, lush fields that ringed it that felt like an entire world when Erk was small. Now it was just the first step of the rest of Elibe. He took a deep breath and turned over to Prisiclla. Taking a deep, shuddering breath, he let go of the guilt. Now that they’d stepped over the threshold, there wasn’t any more point to holding on.
Now there was just the thrill of the open world, and the beauty he walked beside him.
“You ready? Erk murmured, giving his beloved’s hand a squeeze. There wasn’t anything else to say. Priscilla grinned, flashing beautiful teeth as she cupped her braided hair against the fair wind. Erk’s heart thumped in his chest; it’d been nearly four years since they’d met, and he still fell for her all over again. It’d just be the two of them, and the world. He always felt so stifled at home. Despite his love of reading and seclusion, the huge manor of the Mage General felt like a prison. This was where he belonged; the open-road, with its infinite avenues for exploration and learning, by the side of the one person he could never grow sick of.
Priscilla shouldered her pack properly, grinning at her betrothed.
“Come on!” She laughed. “Let’s go on an adventure!”