>>5738237>“I don’t understand why you’d choose the Blackwings over the Knights of Seiros.” You say to Clay. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful that you ultimately decided to help us instead. But wouldn’t the Church treat you almost like royalty? The Four Apostles are incredibly important figures within its history. If they found out you bore the Crest of Chevalier, they’d have immediately promoted you to a position of importance. Especially given their current state.”“That’s true. I certainly wouldn’t have to sell myself as a mercenary to make ends meet at the very least.” Clay says. “Chevalier is certainly a revered man in the Church of Seiros. But in actuality, he left the service of the Archbishop willingly. He believed that she’d begun to lose sight of her responsibilities to Fodlan and its people. After one particular incident, he and the other Apostles abandoned the monastery to pursue their own interests. Given that my master himself wanted to stay clear of the Church’s talons, I chose to do so myself as well. If I’d joined up with the Knights, any one of those Nabateans that remain would have sniffed me out in an instant, likely with a million questions. So, I decided to join up with a mercenary company I’d heard of that had seen successes against the Empire. Little did I know just what I’d really be getting myself into.”
>“You know about the Nabateans?” That was a surprise to you. Their existence was an even deeper secret than that of the Agarthans. Even Anemone only seemed to know a token amount of info about them.“Only what my master shared with me.” Clay says. “The Archbishop is one such being, as is her closest attendant. They may frequently change their identities, but the positions have always been held by the same people since their inception.”
>“So Rhea…and likely Seteth are…” You recall what Anemone had told you only recently. Thanks to your brother, there were now two less Nabateans in the world. “I wouldn’t go spreading that info around.” Clay cautions. “Though even if you did, it’s not as if anyone would believe you.”
>“I’m quite used to that already.” You say, irritated. “Whatever happened to your master anyway?”“We travelled together for a long while, though in reality, it was only a brief moment in my lifespan. By the time I’d met him, he’d already seen much of the known world on his own. The last I’d heard, he went to live as a recluse, settling a small village in the eastern mountains of Leicester that eventually became known as Kupala. If he’s still alive or not though, I have no idea.”
>“You’ve lived quite an interesting life. Maybe more so than any other person alive or dead. Why tell me all this now after you’ve been here for so long?” 