Chapter 10: Thirteen and Seven

The smell of blood scattered through the air, the earth sundered unevenly, and the sound of clashing metals rang deep in my ears. The sky dyed vermillion, the sun covered by dark clouds, dirt and dust floating in the air. The air was hard to breathe, my vision obscured by the amount of earth being kicked in upward into the sky.

“Where am I,” I muttered quietly, my voice drowned out by the men’s battle cry.

In my hand was a sword with a blue gemstone affixed in the center, the unfamiliar blade was not Durandal. My body covered in heavy plates, I was a lot taller than I remembered. Right before me was a person with strange tendrils growing out of their arms and back, it had one eye, similar to the demon Falcie. It lunged at me, I deflected it with this unknown body and swung the sapphire blade at it. I thrust forward, impaled the demon right in its eye, it groaned in pain as it was dying. However, I was careless, it countered with its tendrils, and punctured straight through my abdomen in three different spots, with the fatal location being my heart. I coughed up blood, unable to keep my consciousness as I fell flat on the uneven ground, then I heard a voice calling out nearby. It sounded familiar, a voice I had always known, a voice so warm and safe.

“Is… that you, Randolf,” I muttered with my last breath.

“Char… Charlotte! Stay with me!”

The man yelled with all his might, I saw his pained expression with the light fading from my eyes. Even in my dying breath, that gentle looking face still made me smile.

“Please, I don’t care if you’re a demon, please save her,” Randolf cried, holding onto my hand tight.

“She’s beyond saving,” another voice stated, this time belonged to a woman.

I tried to open my eyes, all I saw was crimson hair, it was beautiful, red as a lycoris, a flower I always loved when I traveled to Sen.

“But the least I can do is this,” the crimson hair demon giggled, then drew a magic matrix beneath me.

“What mine is yours, and what yours is mine, an eye for an eye, one silver for a sapphire,” the woman recited, it was almost like a song the way she said it. I felt the sapphire brand in my hand disappearing. Whatever she was doing, I don’t really care anymore. For once I felt free, shackles of duty no longer bind me. I can choose to go out on my own terms. I closed my eyes, welcoming death with a sweet embrace.

I woke up from my bed in cold sweats, my heart racing, and my breathing elevated. I scanned my surroundings, I was in my room, a scenery that I had gotten used to despite not liking it when I first arrived. I put my hand on my chest then my stomach, everything solid, there were no gaping holes.

“A dream? It was so vivid. But was that father? Why was he there?” I asked a series of questions, the silence answered back, leaving me with my own thoughts. My mind drifted for a moment then I scoured the wall, Durandal sitting upright. The silver sword was looking the way it should be, there was no sapphire as I saw in the dream.

Right then a sound of snoring startled me, I had just noticed Lilia was sleeping next to me, she was drooling. I remembered, we were playing cards up until midnight before we slept together. Today we would be packing for the trip to Albus. It would take half a day via horse carriage, so it was best I get some sleep again before then. I lay back on my pillow, recalling the events in the dream. It was probably best to ask Gabriel and Uriel, I had butterflies in my stomach just reliving the horrific nightmare.

“Lady Hainé, have you got all the necessities,” Lilia asked, hauling a big suit case.

“I got them all, but why are you packing that much, this isn’t a vacation trip,” I pointed out.

The ceremony will supposedly extend to three days, I had a feeling it will be the longest three days of my life thus far.

“Well, I want to tour Albus, this is an adventure, milady,” Lilia was pumped, she had enthusiasm I wish she could share.

“You girls ready, we’re leaving in an hour, make sure you don’t forget anything,” Uriel ordered, Lilia and I answered in unison.

“Yes ma’am.”

We loaded up our belongings onto the coach, I looked back at the Holy Basilicom, it was the first time in a long while I admired its exterior. I had only snuck out that one evening so I didn’t pay it any mind, but the sanctuary really was pretty to look at. It had been six months. The memories were still fresh in my mind when I first arrived, there had been a lot of things that happened. I could only assume I’ll return once the ceremony happens. I gazed at the sky, no sun in sight, all clouds, it looked like it might rain again today.

“Little miss, you look skinny, have you been eating?”

A man called out to me, it was a knight, it was a voice I haven’t heard for half a year.

“Is that you, Mister Garrock,” I gasped, it was the knight who had escorted Archbishop Gabriel when we first arrived.

“You have a good memory, Lady Armiger, I’m grateful to be remembered,” Garrock spoke formally.

We chatted for a bit, Garrock said he had been stationed at Eristella borders after dropping me off at the sanctuary. The fiend raids have been occurring more frequently at the border, he told me that Albus was also attacked again recently, it seemed like only Aether Citadel was spared because it was so heavily guarded and high up in the mountains. I guess I would be checking how things were in Albus on my way to Edel Cathedral.

“So where is that other gentle knight that was with you, Mister Orland,” I asked the knight as he was adjusting his helmet.

“Gentle? Last I recalled, he was kind of mean to you. He should be in Albus now, I’m here as the connecting guard to make sure your trip is safe,” Garrock laughed. I noticed there were numerous other knights stationed out and about. Uriel said Archbishop Arthur had departed at the breaking of dawn, something about double checking the site safety to make sure things run smoothly. I wondered what safety could be needed then I remembered the cathedral was attacked the last time I was there.

“Lady Hainé, Uriel said it’s time to depart,” Cecelia said nearby.

“You’re not coming with us, Sister?” I asked earnestly.

“I will follow suit after my duties here are done, I should be seeing you tomorrow when the ceremony starts,” Cecelia chuckled.

“Lady Hainé, it’s time to go! We’re sitting by Uriel and his grace, Gabriel!” Lilia called out from the carriage ahead, she was full of energy. Cecelia waved back with a smile.

“You’ll be safe, your life in my hands,” Garrock smiled, he gave me thumbs up before marching to the front of the carriage. I bowed to Cecelia then took a seat next to Lilia. Gabriel signaled the driver to start departing.

The view on the mountain path was serene, the mountain topped off with snow, the tree had all but wilted for the winter. Gabriel explained to me while in the carriage the plan for the ceremony was supposed to take place during the Spring Harvest, however, the church and Testament requested to move the ceremony up earlier. Uriel was displaying a look of discontent, she told me she’ll do everything in her power to make sure I stay out of battle, and that I should only be a figurehead for the war. I didn’t understand what she meant by it but I trust her judgment of what was the best course of action. On the topic battle, the scene from the dream popped into my head. Both Gabriel and Uriel were right in front of me so this was the best time to ask what did the dreams mean. I juggled the words in my lungs before letting out the next set of questions.

“Does the name Charlotte mean anything to the both of you,” I asked quietly.

Both mentor’s eyes grew wide at the same time, almost as if the name I mentioned was forbidden.

“Why are both of your faces so scary,” Lilia cowered, shrinking into the corner of the carriage seat.

“Where did you learn that name,” Uriel asked calmly, her expression stern as ice.

I explained the contents of my nightmare to both of them, they didn’t say a word but they hung onto every single one I said. The carriage was silent, the only sound playing were of horse galloping and the cabin swaying back and forth on the mountain path. Their expressions were grim, however, Lilia's only concern was that I had a scary dream. She kneaded my head like a motherly cat.

“Gabriel.”

“I know.”

They spoke in almost unison, Gabriel had his chin resting on his hand, deeply thinking about something. Uriel turned towards me with a concerned look.

“Did you tell anyone else about this,” Uriel asked.

I shook my head, I hadn’t planned on telling anyone else but them since they were more knowledgeable about the realm.

“Good, nothing leaves this carriage, you hear, that includes you Lilia,” Uriel shot the maid a look, she nodded her head so fast as confirmation. I also nodded, it seemed the information I gave them was very important.

“Lady Charlotte was the previous Armiger, I believe I told you she died in battle, she fought at the frontline over ten years ago,” Uriel reminded.

“I never met her, this was before I was stationed in Eristella, but to think your father was there, there was no record of such a man in the records,” Gabriel explained.

“A crimson demon with a brand in her hands, perplexing, but it would explain why it was never recovered,” the Archbishop was deep in his thoughts.

“But Gabriel, how would Hainé be able to recall such events, the battle happened before she was even born,” Uriel asked.

That would make sense, it felt like I was there on that battlefield but logically it was physically impossible for anyone to know.

“There are many mysteries surrounding the brands, even the Testaments can’t make head or tails what each individual brand does,” Gabriel gazed at the sheathed holy sword next to me. A question popped into my mind, recalling the scripture I had read in the library and at Marty house.

“May I ask a question,” I raised my hand towards the two mentors.

“What is it,” Gabriel asked.

“Why in the ancient scripture mentioned there were Seven Armigers, but there are thirteen brands total,” I asked, the numbers really didn’t add up.

“The brands are not what makes an Armigers, in fact it’s the opposite,” Uriel elucidated, she stood up and started reciting a spell. A mirage vision appeared in the air, showing seven shadow figures and thirteen swords.

“The brands exist as God’s instruments, thirteen of them existed and scattered throughout the continent with no ways to locate them.”

The vision showed a map of the continent with each realm noticeably separated. One section in particular was Eristella, where a silver sword was used as a waymark, clearly representing Durandal.

“Armiger by definition are coats of arms, and it’s the champions that wield them to fight the dark forces that are the fiends.”

Uriel cleared her throat then continued explaining.

“Only Seven Armiger can exist at any given time, no one in history had recorded any more than seven.”

The vision shifted to a shadow holding two swords, next to it was another shadow holding one.

“So an Armiger can bear more than two, or perhaps three, but no one has ever recorded or seen it happen as they are never in one place.”

The tanned woman swiped her hand at the vision, making it fade away.

“It’s also that the life expectancy of an Armiger is–”

“Uriel!”

The archbishop raised his voice, cutting off whatever Uriel was lecturing. The tanned lady realized what she was explaining, gave me a sad expression before sitting back down. The cabin went quiet again, after some time the archbishop decided to speak up.

“At any rate, no one is to hear of this, I will let Him know,” he adjusted his glasses before calling the carriage to a stop.

“You’re going to see Him in Selestia now? How would you be back by tomorrow,” Uriel complained, they were now both outside the carriage on the side of the mountain. The frozen breeze blew into the carriage, I immediately hugged Lilia for some warmth.

“He needs to know, this is not to be taken lightly, I will return in time,” Gabriel undressed his robe, revealing a pair of white wings underneath. It had been half a year since I last saw them, they were pretty as I laid my eyes on them.

The archbishop did an incantation, a magic matrix appeared beneath his feet with a symbol of wind and lightning. In the next moment, he flapped his wings and was instantly blown into the sky flying west.

“That goodie two shoes, I want to see Him too, why am I stuck babysitting and supervising the ceremony,” Uriel grumbled, stammering her feet as she entered the carriage.

“That was so cool! An angel like in the books! What’s it like flying?” Lilia was up in Uriel’s face about Gabriel.

“I’ll answer one question at a time, so get off of me,” the tanned woman did all she could to peel the little maid off but the enthusiasm was unrelenting. I simply laughed and gazed in the direction the archbishop had flown. It made me wonder who Him they could be referring to. Uriel’s explanation where she got cut off, even if she didn’t finish what she said, I could make guesses connecting the dream and how she treated me like a flower that could snap at any moment.

“You just focus on the ceremony, Hainé, don’t worry your pretty head over stuff like this,” Uriel read my mind, she finally got Lilia to settle down. I just realized now, Uriel suddenly calling me by name, before it was always Little Armiger. Maybe she had warmed up to me after all the troubles I caused her.

“What are you smiling at,” Uriel noticed my stare.

“N-nothing!”

We went on to make small talks, admiring the mountain scenery, eventually we all fell asleep by the bob and weave of the carriage. Lilia rested her head on my shoulder as I returned to rest on hers.