Chapter Text
My name is Saphir, and I am a simple man. A working man. I have spent my life toiling away at the land. I was born to simple parents in the south of Limgrave. These things are certain and the way that things have been and will be until I return to the erdtree.
I had heard stories from my grandparents about the way things used to be, before the Elden lord, that is. They often recounted how Godrick and his goons terrorized the lands, they regaled with detail how trolls would often stomp by their hiding places searching for them, and they had even said that there used to be a dragon that lived in the lake. I knew things were bad back then, but I doubted that there would’ve been a dragon living in Limgrave. I’ve always heard the stories, the legends, and the myths, but I often struggled with seeing Limgrave as anything else than the idyllic, comfy farming area that it was.
That day was like any other day, I worked on the soil, picked the weeds, and tended to the animals. This day I had to go to the lake and visit the fisherman and see about buying some fish. I was in no hurry since it was such a beautiful day, so I decided to take the scenic route through the forest and stop by the church to pay my respects. It was less like a real church and more of a shrine, really. There were no services held there, and it certainly wasn’t like the big churches in Leyndell.
As I approached the church, I saw a strange animal hitched to the post outside. It had shaggy hair and horns like a goat, it seemed closer resembling a mule than any horse he had seen. As I got closer to it, it made no effort to flee seeming content to chew the cud and seemingly ignored me. I paid no mind as I stepped through the threshold to the church and stood before the altar to the Elden lord. I bowed my head in reverence and began to pray.
Before I could start to pray though, I heard the slight rustling of metal behind me. As I opened my eyes and turned to look, I saw a figure clad in silver armor sitting on the pew behind me, leaning forward with their elbows on their knees.
“Oh, I’m sorry sir, I’m afraid I didn’t see you there.” I had said. I could’ve sworn that he wasn’t there when he first walked in, but I knew I could have tunnel vision at times.
“No need to apologize, after all, it was I who interrupted your prayer.” He spoke in a deep voice, slightly muffled by his helmet. He sat up and reclined in the pew, wordlessly staring at me. “Do you live around here?”
“Uh, yes sir, I live up to the north a short way from here, I’m a farmer.” He nodded slowly at that.
“I don’t believe I caught your name,” he stated plainly. My cheeks heat up slightly. here I was making a fool of myself in front of a very obviously important person. No one around here wore armor like that, only the most important of people in Leyndell wore such shining silver armor. He didn’t seem like one of the Elden lord’s advisors, he doubted they would come this far south, maybe a general or other high-ranking officer? I was suddenly aware of the growing silence between us.
“SAPHIR. Sorry, Saphir sir. I was simply caught up in my curiosity about you, my lord. What is someone from the capital doing here? If I may ask?” I asked. He gave a small chuckle before turning his head towards the statue of the Elden lord.
“Just getting away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It’s nice to return to a place from when times were simpler.”
“I suppose that makes sense, everyone needs to get away from the stresses of life. Again, if I may ask another question, What is it that you do, good sir?”
He gave a great sigh before answering. “A little bit of everything you could say. Nowadays I sit and listen to bureaucrats whine about the state of things and expect me to fix it.” He continued to stare at the statue impassively.
“Sounds boring.” I slip before I can catch myself. I wince expecting him to take my head off for speaking in such a way before a loud booming laugh echoes through the church.
“Dreadfully so, If I had known this was what I’d be spending my days doing, I would’ve thought twice before I took the position.”
“If you dislike your job, why stay? Surely there’s another that could replace you?”
“Unfortunately, not, I cannot leave my position even if I wished. I must continue and remain for the foreseeable future. Plus, it’s not all bad, I get to live in luxury, and I need not worry about any need of mine to be met.”
“I’m assuming you work with the Elden lord?” I gestured my head toward the statue, uncaringly staring over us. He hummed. “…You wouldn’t be incorrect. I know him personally.”
At that moment I must’ve looked like I had a million questions for him about the Lord, but before I could find the right words, he posed a question for me. “So, what do you think of his excellence? Truthfully?” he asked curiously. There was a playful lilt to his voice as he awaited my response. What could I say? What DID I think of him? The Elden lord had been around longer than I’d been around. Sure, the Tarnished had done great things, but I didn’t know him. The only things I knew about the man were through stories my parents and the liturgy would tell. And could I really tell this man the truth? He had been quite patient with me thus far, but speaking anything but praises for the Elden lord would be a fast ticket back to the Erdtree.
Sensing my hesitance, he spoke up once more. “Don’t worry, I asked for the truth. This’ll be just between you and me.” He whispered cheekily behind his hand as if the statue would overhear. I took a moment to find the words before I responded.
“In truth, I don’t feel one way or the other about him. I’ve never met him obviously, so I cannot give a good measure of his character, but the one thing I do know is how much everyone seems to hang on to his every word. I’ve heard all the stories about what he’s done and I’m grateful, but I feel too many people rely on him for all their problems. I fully believe he could take a dump in the street and all the prophets and priests would erect a shrine around the shit.” I gave the stranger a moment to think about my words. “So, how far off am I?”
“Pretty damn spot on. If you could tell one thing to the Elden lord, what would it be? What would you want him to do?” He spoke softly.
“That’s a tall question, to be honest. Maybe come down from his palace every once in a while, and let us normal people see him. Kind of hard to pledge allegiance to a guy whom you’ve never seen.” He nodded and seemed to think for a moment.
“I think you’re absolutely right.” He spoke.
“But that’s just the opinion of an unimportant peasant.” I shrug.
“I don’t think you’re unimportant. Every soul in this kingdom has worth. From the lowest peasant to the Elden lord himself and every soul in between.” He stood and motioned for me to follow him. He led me outside and mounted the strange creature. Looking down from on his steed he looked down at me and spoke again.
“I must apologize Saphir, I have not been completely forthcoming with you. I ask for your forgiveness and ask that you not freak out, all right?” I quirked my eyebrow and nodded. I doubted anything could surprise me at that point. I was severely wrong. In a flash of golden light, the faceless form of the knight he had been talking to melted away to reveal a man with long hair and a thick beard. The polished silver armor faded away, being replaced by the shining ceremonial armor of the Elden lord. Upon his chest piece was the signet of the Elden ring. In but a moment, all the strength left my knees as I fell back onto my ass.
I was face to face with the Elden lord. Restorer of the Elden ring, The deathless hand of the greater will, slayer of the golden pantheon, leader of all the lands between, THE ELDEN LORD. The situation at hand was dawning on me as the blood drained from my face. I had spoken to the Elden lord. I said my opinion of the Elden lord to the God himself. My head in that moment began to spin and I felt myself begin to pass out, but before I could succumb a bright warmth filled my body. A golden light had surrounded his body and he had his hand extended out sharing that energy with me.
“I told you not to freak out.” He said with faux frustration. The words left me and all I could do was prostrate myself before him.
“You don’t have to do that, pick yourself from the ground Saphir.” The Elden lord knew my name. I could process this information later. I immediately stood ramrod straight.
“Forgive your servant, o dear Elden lord, I knew not the words I spoke.” I could feel the tears prick at my eyes, but I refused to do anything but what he commanded for fear of angering him.
“Saphir, you have nothing to apologize for. It was refreshing to hear someone not kiss my ass with every breath. If you want to make me happy then you could accompany me to your village.” We began walking slowly in the direction of my village, the tension ever so slightly leaving my body, but remaining tense.
“Why are we going to my village, my Lord?” I ask with a trembling voice. I could only imagine what he wanted to do. There was no way he wasn’t angry at him. Perhaps he wanted to make an example of me in front of my family. That was probably it.
“You said you wanted me to come down from my palace and interact with the common folk. I intend to do exactly that, plus it’s getting late in the evening, if there’s an inn, I will probably stay the night.”
“We do not have an inn, unfortunately, but you could stay in my house?” Curse my damn mouth. Why was I offering the Elden lord to stay at some peasant’s house? I calmed slightly. It wasn’t like he was going to accept. He could clap his hands and a temple would be built before sundown. There was no way he was going to stay in a peasant’s house.
“Your hospitality has not gone unnoticed; I accept your offer with gladness.” Fuck.