>>5323998The Count leans back in his chair, narrowing his eyes as he studies his son, who hardly looks up from the cold turkey he is picking apart. “Explain.”
Rex shrugs. “She never showed up. I had met her roommate once before. Back when I went to the monastery during the Battle of the Eagle and Lion. I had her escort me back to their dormitory, where we found that their room had been entirely destroyed. Burnt to a crisp.”
“So, she is dead?”
“No, there was no body. Neither was her equipment there. Afterwards, the same roommate led me to the Pegasus Stables. Blair rode a very distinct mount. A dark pegasus. The steed was nowhere to be found.” Rex finishes picking all the meet off the last bone, before continuing. “I asked some of my men. We’d had complete aerial dominance during the fight, so it may have been possible one of them would have seen a Harrier present. Sure enough, some of my Wyvern Riders reported a Garreg Mach student slaying a Demonic Beast, before fleeing the battlefield.” Rex leans back in his chair, and smiles. “Given all of the evidence, it seems our little girl has become a deserter.”
Silence follows, broken by the Count pushing his seat back, and folding his hands on the table in front of him. Rex watches the man, who makes no motion. With a sigh, the Count finally speaks. “I suppose it is for the best. To involve her in what is to come would be too cruel. With any luck, she can start a new life. Start her own family. Enjoy what remains.”
Rex barks a harsh, mocking laugh. He takes a swig of his ale, before continuing. “How surprising! I didn’t think your kind was capable of sentimentality! I thought you’d be furious!?”
“Are you going to kill her?” The Count asks.
Rex contemplates the idea, before scoffing. “As if. Her skill has considerably improved from when she first left us. But she’s still a good for nothing pipsqueak. Hardly worth soiling Gae Bolg with her blood.”
“I see.”
“Though, still. Blair doesn’t strike me as the type to simply settle down, as you so hope. Her only talent lies in warfare. Fighting and strategy are all she is good at. She’s honed these skills considerably during her time at the academy. One does not attend Garreg Mach to simply become a fat housewife. I find it more likely that she’ll utilize her talents against the Empire. Should the day come where her skills improve even further. Where she becomes worthy prey…” Rex smiles, baring his teeth. “We shall see then.”
“If such a day comes…” The Count starts. “I will not stop you.”
>End of Part 1 