Chapter 9:

The First Spell

Short & Short


Another month had passed since that day. Edelgard hadn't found the strength to ask Starkus about his brother, especially not when she returned. He and Claudia had a tinge of pink on their cheeks when she entered, and the atmosphere was too merry to bring up such a gloomy topic.

Almerya came by every day, looking after Edelgard's hygiene.

It was a hairy topic.

Edelgard was glad for this distraction, and soon, the matter of Karkass retreated to the back of her brain, keeping a low profile.

It never truly left her, as in idle moments between her studies, she'd think of that tree where he was imprisoned, not allowed to leave, not allowed to see the world he used to know.

She felt pity for him...

It got so far that, when Almerya asked her to come to the elders' tree again a week later, she obliged willingly.

Her visits had turned into a weekly affair.

If she could just take a look at him again...

"What are you thinking about?"

The one who brought her out of the world of thoughts was the same one that cut her hair every day... Almerya.

"Nothing in particular," Edelgard said evasively, cursing the superb perception of her elder.

"I see you every day these days, don't think I wouldn't notice," Almerya reprimanded, shooting her a playful glare. "Ever since I took you up there a second time... or, perhaps, ever since you laid eyes on Karkass?"

Her gasp was all Almerya needed as an answer.

Keeping secrets was useless against her.

"What kind of illness does he have?" she asked.

"As I said," Almerya said in a solemn voice, "that's not for me to tell you. Ask him... or his brother."

Edelgard sighed at these choices.

"Honestly, I don't know which one's harder to approach... the one who has this illness, or the one closest to him..."

Almerya seemed to ponder over this dilemma for a while, then she voiced her thoughts.

"While Starkus is his family, I don't think he's the closest to Karkass... not anymore, at least." Her tone had turned dreamy as if she thought about the past. "Another has taken that place, and it's one we all get enamored with."

"So it's a very popular elf?"

"This one must be seen as more of a figurative concept which was personalized."

"That's not exactly helpful," Edelgard mumbled, looking out the window. It was the same sight every day, trees and animals and elves, but for some reason, it didn't get boring. She wanted to show Karkass that it was possible for him to see it again... to be with the rest of them. "This is a beautiful place, isn't it?"

"Yeah." Almerya finished cutting her hair quickly ."Do you want to walk a bit?"

"Great idea. Claudia, you wanna come, too?"

"Hm? Oh, no, please enjoy yourselves. Deadaela found a huge field of Nutri Roots, I just want to go and get some with Esmeralda. I already spoke with Starkus before he went out, and tonight's meal will be great!"

A single drop of drool ran down her mouth.

Edelgard cocked her head.

"I remember our stash of those roots being quite full, though?"

Not that she could be sure. Claudia shot her an 'Are you sure?' kind of look, pondering over the matter.

"Such a chance might not present itself very often... if possible, I'd like to get a few more, just to be safe. We have to feed three people, after all."

She nodded to herself, and Edelgard shrugged.

"If you think so. Have fun!"

"The same to you."

"Thanks!"

They left the house on their usual route, leading them in a circle around the elders' tree, circling back to Almerya's hut, passing the bathing tree, and finally reaching Claudia's and Starkus's hut again, ending their tour.

All in all, that took the pair four hours of idle wandering.

"I see your gaze turn thoughtful every now and then," Almerya revealed, observing Edelgard from the side. "An answer can only be given to those who ask the right questions."

"All you ever give me for an answer is pointing out the people who are allowed to give it to me, though," Edelgard pouted.

"Just because he's ill doesn't mean you can't speak with him."

"He doesn't even know me-"

"If even the people who know him don't go, maybe that's just what he needs," Almerya interrupted. She shared a meaningful gaze with Edelgard. "All an elf like me sees in him is the danger of a short life. It pains me to admit it, but we are afraid of sharing his fate when we get too close. Well, those closest to him just don't know what to tell him, I'm sure. Talking to someone who dies soon is a hard thing for a being who will stay for a long time after."

"But this is your... their last chance of seeing him! Isn't it scarier to think that, once he's gone, you won't be able to see him again? Shouldn't everyone spend all their time with him now, before it's too late?" Edelgard argued.

Almerya closed her eyes, solemnly shaking her head.

"Imagine yourself in his position. Would you want everyone to come storming in, spending all their time with you?"

"No..."

"Because it would be exhausting. They don't go because they know that what he needs is calm and peace. That's why he's on the elders' tree in the first place, or so I've heard. Far away from those that could be curious, but not concerned."

"I still think it's wrong to pay him no visit. At least his family..."

Edelgard trailed off, unsure of what she wanted to say. Starkus must have his reasons for ignoring his brother, for not visiting him... he always seemed so cheerful (for an elf), or could that be a mere facade?

The thought saddened Edelgard.

"Ask him, then."

"Is that all you ever say?" Edelgard returned.

"In that matter, yes."

"... I guess I understand."

"Then that's fine."

They strolled onwards, soon reaching the elders' tree, then passing it. They chatted about nothing in particular, just enjoying themselves.

Their topics included bathing, food, sleep, the stars...

After another hour or so, they arrived at Almerya's hut.

In the beginning, they would go inside sometimes, but lately, they just went on. Yet, today, Almerya halted in front of her door, looking at her home longingly, but also anxiously. It seemed like she both wanted to go inside and didn't want to go inside.

Her eyes met Edelgard's.

"Could I have some tea?" Edelgard asked, smiling innocently.

"... Gladly."

The anxiety left Almerya's face, and they headed inside. It was as tidy as always. She had things Claudia and Starkus didn't have, like shelves for scriptures and parchment, orderly tucked away to the left.

Edelgard often wondered why nobody stole these valuable writings, but then again, the ability to read and write was rare enough.

She sat down at the table, similar to the one Claudia had, on the only chair.

Almerya took a small stool from the bedroom and sat down on that. Edelgard interpreted her most recent expression as something akin to being nervous.

With a kind smile, she reached her hand out to rub her head.


Almerya, not expecting the touch, jerked to attention in her seat.

There she was, the woman she desperately wanted to cheer up, cheering her up instead. As an elder, she was disappointed in herself... but as a woman, Edelgard's touch seemed almost liberating. It helped her find her resolution.

With meaning in every step, she approached the shelves of parchment, pulling out one document she had meant to give to Edelgard for a while now.

'The first Spell.'

"Say," she started, "how far have you come in your studies?"

Edelgard shamefully avoided her eyes.

"Your language is very difficult," she said evasively.

Almerya chuckled.

"That it is... Say, would you try reading this one?"

"... Do you wish to humiliate me?" Edelgard asked suspiciously.

"Nonsense. I merely wish for your cooperation."

With a raised brow, Edelgard accepted the scripture, unrolling it. Most of her attention was still on Almerya, though, trying to figure out her motive. The elder wished that she'd trust her a bit more, but knowing what she wanted Edelgard to do, she ignored it.

"This... is totally different..." Edelgard mumbled.

"You are right. This is a copy of one of the first texts of our race, though it wasn't written by an elf," Almerya explained. Edelgard visually confirmed her interest in the matter. "It is said that there was once a god on this plane of existence and that this god wandered on to the next place shortly after. All she left us were our language... and this planet."

"But why is this language so... simple? Don't the gods have more impressive techniques at their hands? Where did this god go, anyway?" Edelgard inquired, leaning across the table.

Almerya smiled at her curiosity.

"Sadly, that was in the time of myth... so we don't know. As for the language, it is said that she gave us a foundation, but not a conclusion. She told us to develop our own speech, accumulate our own knowledge... The prophecies didn't come from her, mind you. They were written by people with a strong connection to our god, the being who gifted us this world."

Thinking back on the early days, Almerya wondered how the other elders felt about their god. She seemed more like a mother to them, not like the almighty beings the young elves seemed to imagine. They were only a handful, and the details got lost with time...

"But aren't you part of the first elves? How come you don't remember this god?" Edelgard continued, unwilling to let this topic rest.

Almerya shrugged her shoulders.

This very same question had been on her mind for centuries.

Ana Fowl
icon-reaction-4
Honeyfeed
icon-reaction-1
Lostsoul
icon-reaction-4