Chapter Text
“We’ll be taking a shortcut,” Djura explained, “Through the Roundtable Hold. So hold on and don’t let go. Might be a bit disorienting at first.”
Rya nodded determinedly, seizing his hand and squeezing as Boc clung to his leg. Nodding back, Djura closed his eye and focused on the image of the Hold in his mind. The now-familiar warmth of Grace wrapped around them, and he heard Rya gasp at the sensation. Once it had faded, Boc detached from his side— they’d agreed that while Djura was dropping Rya off, the wee beast would take Latenna and Lobo to Roderika for more ‘spirit-tuning.’ Djura took a moment to double-check that Rya was alright, then held the image of the Grace-site across the courtyard from the Academy library.
Almost the second they arrived, Rya sneezed.
“Yep,” Djura nodded, patting her hand, “Makes my nose itch too.”
That stated, he found he almost preferred the overwhelming arcane scent of the Academy to the serpentine sulfur of Volcano Manor— if only for the reigning lady of each location.
Rya looked around in awe as Djura led her out into the courtyard, murmuring, “I never thought I’d get to see inside this place… oh, is that…?”
She was looking at the ruined torture machine. Djura grimaced a bit, telling her, “Had a run in with it. Probably wouldn’t have made it out if Rennala hadn’t blasted the thing.”
Rya frowned a little, informing him, “The abductor virgins are the works of our lord— supposedly he made them in my mother’s image. Why would such a thing be here?”
… That was an excellent question, actually. If the torture machines belonged to Volcano Manor, but the Academy had been locked down not long after the Shattering… that implied the lord of Volcano Manor had connections to the Academy. A way to not only get in, but bring in a great big piece of machinery like that? That sort of work required a key, either metaphorically or literally. That stated…
Djura turned to gaze towards the library.
There was a clockwork trap there, too. Perhaps the creators were the same? Which then in turn implied that the man in charge of Volcano Manor was someone close to Rennala, implementing defensive measures to dissuade anyone from getting to the then-weakened queen… perhaps Moongrum would have some answers, in that case.
With that in mind, Djura urged Rya along, heading into the library area. Apparently hearing their approach once they got close, Moongrum came storming out, sword drawn—
“Would it kill you to announce yourself?” the man grumbled, sheathing his blade once he saw who it was.
“Morning to you too, lad. How’s Rennala?” Djura replied.
“... You’re missing your entourage.” the knight observed.
“Boggart and Nepheli decided to go settle down with Thops,” Djura nodded, “And Boc’s taking Latenna for spirit-tuning. Was wondering if you two would mind hosting Rya here for me while I ran an errand for the girl’s mother.”
Moongrum was silent for long enough that Rya began to fidget nervously, but finally heaved an aggravated sigh, turning back towards the library proper. Djura smiled a bit, leading Rya after the man.
It seemed that in the seconds he was in there ahead of them, Moongrum had informed Rennala of their presence, because the queen greeted them almost at the door, smiling warmly. “Welcome back, Kind Djura,” she declared, “Who might thy companion be?”
As Rya gave a shy curtsey, Djura introduced, “This is Rya. Having a bit of a kerfuffle with her mother at the moment— was wondering if you’d mind watching the lass while I ran an errand up north for the woman.”
Rennala raised an eyebrow at him, echoing, “‘A kerfuffle?’”
Rya timidly spoke up, elaborating, “Mother is holding a young man hostage that Djura would see released, but she’ll only do so if Diallos’s brother agrees to meet with her…”
“Aah,” Rennala nodded, face setting in grim understanding, “I am no stranger to such political games. Yet I must confess, I had not foreseen thee to be such a participant, Djura.”
He sighed, shaking his head. “I’d rather not, in all honest— hello again.”
The same ‘child’ that had grabbed his ankle last time giggled, tugging at his laces before crawling away, Rennala scolding, “Mind thy manners!” Rya, for her part, gave a soft coo.
“As I was saying,” Djura continued, “I’d really rather not mess around like this, but Rya asked, and I’m not in the business of leaving children in blatant peril.”
Rennala frowned, folding her hands in front of her. “And thou claimst young Rya’s mother…?”
“Not to Rya, no,” Djura said swiftly, “Woman damn near bit my head off for insisting on a hostage-trade. But to any kids not her own? To Diallos, at the very least?”
The queen looked disapproving, but nodded all the same. “Very well— I hath no quarrels with thy plan. Welcome, then, sweet Rya, to Raya Lucaria. I pray thy stay to be a pleasant one.”
Rya smiled hesitantly, nodding back. “Th-thank you, Your Majesty…!”
As Rennala swept Rya up, the two already striking up a pleasant conversation, Djura turned to Moongrum. The knight tipped his head, patiently inquiring.
“So that big fancy trap at the door,” Djura asked quietly, “Know anything about the fella who made it?”
“Her Majesty’s son,” Moongrum replied in a slightly less quiet tone, “He came to bear the title of ‘Praetor’ once… adopted… by Marika— Praetor Rykard. As a boy, he had neither Princess Ranni’s talent for glintstone, nor Prince Radahn’s martial prowess, though he did inherit his father’s hand for law and justice in court. It was… days before the seal went up that he came in and installed that device, for he was concerned there might be those among the Golden Order who would blame the House of Caria for the Shattering and even the Night of Black Knives.”
So it well could have been Rykard— one of the shardbearers— who made and left the abductor virgin. Grimacing a bit, Djura told Moongrum what Rya had told him about the thing. The knight grew quiet, arms folding and chin dropping.
“... It… would be in her name, yes…”
“Her name?” Djura echoed, not understanding.
Moongrum glanced over his shoulder. It looked like Rennala was introducing Rya to the ‘children.’ “... It is… the naming tradition of royalty for children to bear their parents’ names. ‘Ranni’ is ‘little Rennala,’ ‘Radahn’ is ‘little Radagon,’ ‘Rykard’ is ‘son of Rennala and Radagon’... ‘Godwyn’ as ‘little Godfrey,’ or…”
“‘Rya’ as ‘little Rykard.’” Djura finished, seeing the pattern. It was also present in a lot of the other demigods’ names, wasn’t it? Godrick had rather blatantly come from the ‘little Godfrey’ line. ‘Morgott’ then was pretty obviously ‘son of Marika and Godfrey’—
Djura blinked as he realized something. If the royalty in the Lands Between named their children after themselves, then didn’t that make…?
“I will advise,” Moongrum said grimly, drawing his attention, “We keep this to ourselves without further confirmation. It would make… plenty of sense. But…”
“But let’s not go giving Rennala any shocks without proof.” Djura agreed, making the knight nod. With that settled, Djura crossed the library to bid the two farewell. “I best be heading out— sooner I find Lord Hoslow, sooner you can head back to your mother, lass.”
Rya had startled a little at his voice, but nodded, saying, “Thank you for doing this, Djura, truly…”
“May the moon light thy path, Kind Djura,” Rennala murmured, resting a gentle hand on the girl’s shoulder, “We wish thee luck and safe travel.”
He nodded back, then turned and left the library.
In short enough order, he’d collected both Boc and Latenna, the three of them back in Altus.
Summon me, Latenna ordered, I can lead the way. It’ll be faster.
Nodding, Djura did so. Almost the second Lobo had shaken his fur out, the archer-wolf duo took off. Boc yelled after them, but Djura just chuckled a bit. Torrent was fast— they’d be caught up to the two in no time. With that in mind, he summoned the pony too, both he and Boc climbing on.
Once they caught up, Torrent champing unhappily at having to slow his pace, Latenna called, It’ll be a few days ride, but it shouldn’t be hard— not until we reach the cliffs!
“Can you climb?” Djura asked doubtfully.
She scoffed, leaning over just enough to smack him. Torrent whinnied, veering slightly so he could shoulder Lobo. The wolf growled playfully, tail wagging as he returned the gesture, and Djura and Latenna had to break the two apart.
Of course I don’t climb, she snarked, But did you really think we would live so far removed from our brethren without a way to travel easily between?
“Didn’t want to make too many assumptions.” Djura deflected.
Yet you ask if I climb!
“Well, you’ve got arms, don’t you?” Boc pointed out. “You’ve got Lobo!”
That’s different and you know it! Latenna shot back, though she was smiling and her tone was good-natured. The wee beast grinned back, and for a moment Djura let Torrent take the reins, prompting Latenna to yell, No, that’s cheating! as the pony surged ahead.
The mission ahead was a bit grim, and the Erdtree stupidly oppressive with it’s looming size painting everything gold— but the moment was lighthearted enough. Djura grinned cheekily as he reigned Torrent in, letting Lobo catch up.