thefeywood | why don't you figure my heart out?

Aymeric nods, dropping his hands and only idly watches the other man stretch from the corner of his eyes. Aymeric will change and bathe quickly back at the manor as Alfred readies the sitting room for dessert, he knows.

"Of course. I can come with you back to the barracks or we can meet back at the Manor, whichever you prefer." Obviously just to...wait outside.

To Estinien's question, Aymeric bows his head slightly.

"There appears to be naught amiss in the paperwork. So then I am left to believe the error occurred when the supplies were set up to be shipped. Mayhaps with the wrong carriage or the wrong chocobo? That will be much more difficult to investigate, but I will follow this thread ere our next scheduled patrol."

"Hmph." That's all that Estinien says at first, seemingly annoyed by the mundanity of the answer. He tilts to the side, huffing out a breath as he stretches his shoulder. "Not as dramatic as it sounded, is it."

It seems all too likely that some manner of human error resulted in the problem, which is annoying on a different level from it having it be a conscious effort. To have a few clumsy fools result in such difficulty for an entire town...

"I hope you determine where the trouble began," he says, after a moment. "Someone may need their ears boxed." A particularly deadly threat for an Elezen, no doubt.

It is indeed, seriously enough for Aymeric to flash his furrowed brows in Estinien's direction. Though the effects of the mistake are suffering many, if it is an honest mistake, there ought to be opportunity to do better in the future. That much Aymeric can afford, though he knows not all are fortunate enough in the position as he.

"As am I. With all good intentions, this matter shall be dealt with quickly. Mayhaps we can personally escort the next allotment to ensure it reaches its proper destination."

Aymeric is determined to get to the bottom of it, of course, though he will be willing to set the investigation aside for a day in order to make sure Hemlock does not go without for longer than it yet has been.

He shakes his head. "But there is naught to do for this eve. Come, let us fill our heads and bellies with something more pleasant."

Though Estinien would genuinely up to play escort, it is mostly just due to the company. Thankfully, he doesn't have to make any related concessions tonight - he's free to spend the rest of the night with Aymeric at his leisure. By the end of it, worries about clerical errors and misplaced chocobos have all but left him.

It's some days later when Aymeric mentions it again, bringing it back to Estinien's attention. Part of him assumed that Aymeric would be able to handle it without further discussion, that it was only a matter of making a simple correction - but it has started to sound like it's more than that.

Having been asked to Aymeric's office to discuss, and without anything more pressing to attend to, Estinien follows along without much thought. He genuinely has no idea what to expect, with how something so simple could have become so difficult.

After arriving and making the expected greetings, he glances around the office, wondering what the story will be.

"Becoming unduly complicated, isn't it?" he prompts, tilting her head. He sets his helmet down on one of the other captain's desks.

It is troubling, more so than Aymeric imagined it might be. As trivial a thing as it may seem to the greater efforts of Ishgard, Aymeric can only imagine how important it is to the residents of Hemlock who rely on that aid. There is talk amongst some of the aristocracy that such settlements ought to be able to "stand on their own" with little regard to how they are often in the direct line of fire, having to be prepared to abandon house and home and their way of life at a moment's notice. That alone is enough incentive for Aymeric to at least stick up for this group.

Of course, tracking down where the allotment may have been erroneously shipped took some time too. He had to pull a few strings and actually enlisted the aid of Lord Haurchefant, giving House Fortemps' involvement with raising many of the chocobos that the Temple Knights employs. Though they are primarily bred for battle, they are dual-use when it comes to shipping goods into warzones--of which much of Coerthas is considered at this point.

The fact that what he found was not so much of a mishap as a complete...lack of anything is the most upsetting.

Having Estinien's input matters as well. And he feels the need to keep his friend informed.

Aymeric looks up from a report that he is writing when Estinien enters and offers him a short smile in greeting--no matter the circumstances, he is always glad to see the other man.

"It is indeed." Aymeric sets his quill aside in the inkwell, then exhales low and slow through his nose. "I wish I had better news to share for it."

He shakes his head, folding his hands together on his desk with all the presence of someone of a much higher rank.

"I can safely say that there was no mix-up when it comes to the shipment itself--only because it seems that no shipment took place."

Estinien generally feels out of his element when it comes to the ways of Ishgard's administration, and this is no exception. His confusion shows plainly on his face, as he lingers in silence, trying to determine if there is a specific meaning he is meant to take away from that.

"I had thought that you were told the allotment was issued," he says. Quite simply - if what Aymeric is saying is true, either his friend had been directly lied to, or something intercepted the shipment before it even began. It was easy to imagine it being misplaced, or even the possibility of it being stolen in transit, but this...?

Still, he waits for more elaboration before saying anything else. He trusts Aymeric to be knowledgeable on the matter, given that he's taken it upon himself to look into it.

Aymeric nods again, leaning back in his chair. "For all intents and purposes it was--there is yet record of it here at the Congregation. Yet it did not make it to the parties responsible for doling out the supplies, let alone assigning the dispersement route."

His lips push together tightly as he frowns, pulling his hands off of the table to rest onto his lap.

"What troubles me further is that the allotment for this moon was, apparently, also suspiciously absent." Once could be an honest, if strange mistake. But twice? He need not say as much--Estinien will draw the same conclusion. "I was able to correct the most recent error and my squadron and I will be accompanying the supply chain towards Hemlock in two days time. You are welcome to join if you are available."

Somehow, when the subject of escorting the allotment had initially come up, Estinien had not thought it would be something that would actually occur. It's ridiculous that it's come to be necessary, but he won't turn his back on it now, or he'd be no better than the others that let it happen.

"I have no other pressing demands," he says, crossing his arms. He looks irritated by all of this conceptually. "Though, I am particularly concerned about finding where the first one was spirited away to, in particular."

Simply rectifying the situation is one thing, but to find the source...

"It cannot be allowed to happen again - especially if Hemlock is not the only victim of this sleight of hand. Not all guardians are as watchful as you."

Aymeric nods. He thought Estinien may prefer to but the duty of being a Dragoon will always come first. Having the presence of a Dragoon Knight may lead further credence to the gesture they are making to Hemlock as well.

"As am I," he agrees. "My investigation is not over yet, though I will prioritize getting these supplies out quickly."

The less they have to go without, the better.

"Your concerns mirror my own, henceforth I have inquired about neighboring settlements. Strangely enough, Hemlock seems to be the only one affected...at least within my patrol."

And therein lies the problem he has now.

"...I do not have many allies in a similar position, but in order to gain access to see the designations under the jurisdiction of other companies, I will need explicit permission."

Which means that he did some asking around and found that out himself.

Estinien supposes that all of the local townships being missed would not have quite as much plausible deniability. That is, if this turns out to be foul play. Yet, that is starting to seem like the only ration explanation.

He pauses to consider, then looks up to meet Aymeric's gaze.

"What other companies would those be?" he asks. He has some guesses, considering the locations in question. Who there are will really make all the difference when it comes to the ease of going forward. "Given the location... I would guess the majority would be under House Durendaire."

Edited 2020-11-29 05:34 (UTC)

Aymeric himself only gives a slight pause, then nods in affirmative.

"Aye." Most areas of Coerthas are under the protection of one of the High Houses, even if the Temple Knights have patrols that cover those same locale and the less populated regions in between.

"...That is not to say the Captains themselves owe any particular loyalty to House Durendaire, of course. Unfortunately I have only had passing conversations with one, and the others are yet unknown to me. Time is of the essence and I may not have the ability to make the best use of it."

He exhales sharply through his nose--frustrated, and partially with himself.

"Nevertheless...I am hoping to do an impromptu investigation of sorts on the field. Mayhaps the locals at Hemlock may shine a further light on our findings."

As with many of Aymeric's ventures, Estinien thinks he is doing the best that can be done within his current position. His friend is unduly harsh with himself, he thinks, but at the same time he will not deny him his ambition.

"'Impromptu' may be the best sort, given who we may be dealing with," Estinien says. He's naturally cynical about this kind of thing, particularly any skullduggery that happens beneath the High Houses. "Let us not draw too much attention to our efforts - at least until we've spoken to the townsfolk."

He comes over to Aymeric's desk, closing the distance between them.

"They already put their trust in your soldiers once... with any luck, they will be willing to do so again."

Aymeric lifts his gaze to the other man, keeping it on him even has he draws closer. As dark as his recent findings have been, he finds himself forming the hints of a smile at Estinien's words. He nods, unlacing his fingers as he allows his hands to simply lay on his lap.

"Indeed." A thoughtful pause as his eyes shift to the report in front of him. "...Though I doubt much for the Fury's direct involvement in such matters, I do feel blessed to some degree to have a small, but stalwart and moral group of knights under my watch. For all that the Temple Knights have yet to do for all echelons of Ishgard, they remind me why we do what we can."

Estinien hums in agreement, that sentiment definitely one that had struck him with regards to Theodlac when they'd first met. Reluctant as he is to heap more praise on the boy without having seen more of him, it was a more positive first impression than he may have otherwise anticipated.

"They know not what they meddle with by giving you a squadron of like-minded soldiers," he says, a bit of a smirk coming to his lips. Whether or not the Fury has deigned them with her attention, it seems Aymeric may have been given a choice hand after all.

"Is there aught I might do in preparation, or will my presence suffice?"

He smiles full on at that and barely restrains a chuckle. "Truly a formidable force of five."

Which pales in comparison to even the more modestly size-squadrons, but he feels he can safely say that his were well-suited. It had been a source of anxiety for a while, as much as he relished in the challenge presented to him given what any knight under his watch may believe, but it has all turned out rather well.

"Your presence is more than enough, my friend. I daresay that it would put a bit of hope in any throughout Coerthas to see a Dragoon in full armor."

Sure enough, when it day comes, Estinien does arrive decked out in full armor. The helmet remains on after leaving the Congregation, given how large of a group it is - in general, it projects his image as more looming and aloof than with it off, like a dark silhouette of faceless death that lingers around their chocobo cart as the journey begins.

The trip seems mostly uneventful in its initial phases, and occasionally Estinien will leap away from the party completely to examine the landscape from a higher viewpoint, staring into the distance as if sensing something the others don't. He returns just as mysteriously, settling down somewhere close to Aymeric or - somewhat absurdly - perching on the railing of the wagon like a bird, balancing effortlessly.

He won't talk much, even to Aymeric, remaining quiet and vigilant unless spoken to. Though not exactly friendly, it certainly makes an impression.

The courier had been informed, but was still surprised to be personally accompanied by so many knights to what should otherwise be a routine trip. Typically an armed escort need only be present if the goods themselves were of some perceived value by the Holy See (and those typically did not go to small villages in the highlands) or if there had been a series of recent attacks in the region. Neither are the case this time, but Aymeric is able to assuage their worries rather quickly, ensuring the courier that this is a show of good faith to all of Ishgard, to those within and without her walls. It turns out the courier themselves had been from a settlement not unlike Hemlock and consequently finds the gesture pleasing. How fortuitous.

Of course, having a dragoon intermittently perching himself on the carriage is surprising, even when the landing is surprisingly soft. Theodlac is absolutely beyond himself at seeing Estinien in full armor, appearing and disappearing with grace that he can only hope to achieve one day. Finding Estinien perched out on peaks or landings along the way has become something of a game to him one that Ser Coudenne, the Elezen archer of the squadron, readily takes part in for the novelty of it.

Saidine rides her chocobo alongside Aymeric's at the front, while Theodlac, Coudenne, and Brummeux--another gladiator trained Elezen--take up the rear. Though Aymeric only trades a few glances behind him along the march, he does smile to himself every time he sees Estinien riding the carriage, or spots him somewhere off in the distance to the side. The gentle swoop as he ascends into the heavens themselves is a sound he has grown accustomed to, feels strangely attuned and is able to track Estinien's movements better than he ought to.

Yes, he is amused the whole time, despite the seriousness of the quest they are taking.

He trades light conversation with Saidine and a little with the courier as they cross the Black Iron Bridge, but all talk dies down as they see the small gates to Hemlock perched between large stones. There is a man standing vigil outside--a townsman, not a knight of any house--who spots the caravan and immediately opens the gates before running inside, likely to inform the rest of the town that aid has finally arrived.

Much needed aid. Delayed overlong.

He turns to Saidine and nods. They split off, allowing the courier to walk through the gates first as all the knights trail behind. Sure enough, it seems like the entire village has shown up to receive the courier and there are a few shouts of joy and one or two of anger along the lines of "where the bloody hells have you been?"

Aymeric dismounts by the gates and all the other knights follow suit, leaving their armored chocobos as out of the way as possible. The arrival of several knights--Temple and Dragoon--draws as many stares as the carriage itself does. Aymeric turns to his squadron, all of whom stand at attention on cue.

"We will help with the unloading and dispersement here in the town square. If any at all require further assistance in carrying supplies back to their homes, we will offer that as well. Where possible, ask how many other shipments have been missed."

All four knights salute.

"We are a reflection of what has failed them and may incur their ire. Where needed, offer sincerest apologies on behalf of the Holy See for the delay. Know that the complaints we may receive are our responsibility to hear out, no matter how they are directed. As Temple Knights, it is our duty to provide for them in both sword and shield and succor. Breeding good will only comes with genuine action. Understood?"

"Yes, ser."

Aymeric nods. "Good. Let us begin."

As the four knights move to the carriage to help unload, Aymeric takes a moment to stand next to Estinien.

"And we begin our investigation as well."

Though his thoughts are mostly with the task at hand, Estinien can't help but also give attention to his duties as a dragoon. It's instinct at that point - Dravanian activity may be low in this area at the moment, but the ever-looming potential of it is something that buzzes in the back of Estinien's head no matter the context. He's lost too much among hills just like these to ever feel at ease.

And so, his contribution towards this trip inevitably become a showing of support and also keeping a vigilant watch for dragons and other threats. He posts himself around the area as a constant vigil as the little caravan moves, in prime position to spot Hemlock long before those on the ground would. It's only once Aymeric's team arrives at its gates that he returns to the group proper, though he lingers towards the back, his body language clearly suggesting that he is here to observe.

He can't help but crack a small smile at Aymeric's speech, though, and the other knight's eager reception of it. It's not an easy task they've been assigned, to care for the needs of wronged civilians. If only all Temple Knights were possessed of the same virtues.

He nods his head as Aymeric approaches, his arms crossed as he surveys the town ahead.

"I would see if any other knight do linger in the area," he says. "I think it notable whether others were present to ignore the villager's pleas."

Aymeric gives a quiet hum in agreement, though his gaze stays out on his squadron as they greet the villagers with varying degrees of congeniality. Theodlac, unsurprisingly, is the most eager.

"The lumber here is a valuable resource to Ishgard, so there ought to be one present semi-regularly." Though because Hemlock proper is under House Durendaire's watch and care, Aymeric is not privy to watch rotation. They have to rely on their own eyes, ears, and the words of the locals.

He shifts his eyes to Estinien proper and folds his arms. "Was aught amiss on the journey over?"

Estinien's expression is harder to read with his visor concealing his face, his lips pressed into the same stern line. After a moment, he shakes his head.

"Nay. Only native beasts in the expected places, none too close to populated areas." He falls silent for a few more moments, and then adds: "It is not the task at hand, but still, I worry..."

He seems to stare off into the hills, at something beyond their current struggles.

"The longer it stretches, the more it feels that a storm must follow this silence. That they leave us time enough to sew discord amongst ourselves, wrought by idle hands."

Aymeric finds his gaze following Estinien's, as if he can but see through his friend's eyes. He has but a brief preview of what the world looks like to a dragoon thanks to the various perches that Estinien has shared with him in Ishgard, but to be ever vigilant to the movements of the horde in ways that Aymeric will never be is a heavy burden.

He allows a silence to fall between them for several beats before speaking quietly.

"The Astrologians have said naught of late..." A passing observation, as the See relies so heavily on their predictions. "But it has been quite a while, hasn't it?"

Even to Estinien, sometimes it is hard to know how much of this anxiety is paranoia, and how much of it is prenatural sense. Given his own lack of knowledge of Astrology and it's resulting immateriality, he could never place full trust in fortune telling. In the heat of battle, the only compass he has is his own gut, and so similar ways of thinking follow him into his daily affairs.

He feels suspicious of many things, as of late. Even before Aymeric came this far into his research, Estinien had been suspicious of foul play among the elites. Some part of himself wonders - are these threats real, or is he allowing himself to become stir crazy in this time of rest?

"They are tireless things," he says, more softly. "They would not relent without reason." At least, that's the thought that keeps creeping into his mind, haunting him in quiet moments.

He must remain vigilant.

Aymeric cannot begin to say he understands the nature of dragons--ancient creatures of relentless rage, it seems. To see this war end will take a feat greater than any Ishgard has yet undertaken and he imagines the slaying of Nidhogg will be but a part of it.

But this day...this day is for Hemlock. The few peoples here they can yet help.

"Then in the event they awake on this village, full glad am I to have such an esteemed member of the Knights Dragoon at my side."

It's said with something of a cheeky smile, but as with all the praise he bestows upon his friend, rooted in genuine esteem.

"Come, let us join the rounds and keep a watchful eye to the skies."

Estinien looks at him, falling silent for another few moments. Eventually, though, he nods his head - without any further fretting, he will follow Aymeric into the town.

He gives the impression of feeling out of place being there, however, reluctant to speak to any of the villagers and instead primarily watching as things unfold. After a short time, he spots where Theodlac is speaking to some of the people he's been helping. Curious, he moves towards the group, wondering what he might hear about the situation.

That is, if him being an armored dragoon isn't enough to draw everyone off-topic. It's at least part of why he's struggling to join in on anything going on - the looks he gets for simply being there at all are overwhelming. Dragoons are well respected, but they are also a sign of trouble.

Theodlac is a chatty sort of fellow once given the opportunity and he is definitely one that the townsfolk seem to be opening up to the most. The does not have the haughty air of knights they have come to expect and his eager and honest nature is apparent to all upon first meeting him.

The fact that it is the look of the villagers he's speaking with that draws his attention before the dragoon now looming nearby is almost embarrassing. Almost. But he does jump a little and suddenly feels the need to put on.

"--Ser Estinien!" He salutes out of habit with all the energy of an eager puppy.

The townsfolk, noticeably, look a little concerned.

"Oh! No, not to worry. Ser Estinien is here as...part of the escort! Just in case, you know. Never can be too careful."

Nailed it.

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