Flowers From Windrise

Prologue

!! Art from cover by: @frotheries on twt !!

    Summer quiet evening. The sun was dissapearing beyond the horizon to give place for the coming night, while at the same time the sky had both purple and orange colors which worked very well together. A really beautiful sight. Wonderful. In the distance, you can hear the laughter of children from the city, which have their best time and fun, living their peaceful life without any worries. There was also a cool breeze, bringing with it the scents of so many flowers and all the flora of the Windrise fields, which gave a huge relief after a hot day. Yes, this is something the blonde loved. These evening walks are perfect for both the body and the soul.

    Although his rest, unfortunately, did not last too long.

     Aether was walking briskly towards Mondstadt, because he heard a message from a few soldiers in the field, that Jean had some important business for him and that he should show up as soon as possible. When he asked them for more details, they all shook their heads, not having the faintest idea what Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius might want from him this time. It turned out that he would not get an answer until he saw her in person, so he did not delay it at all. As soon as he got that message, he immediately went to the city.

   He just hoped there were no new troubles ahead. He would really like to take a break from them.

                               • ° •

    He finally stood in front of the Jean's office door and then knocked on it three times, waiting for an answer.

   ...

  Silence. No response from the inside. So he knocked again, impatiently rolling his right foot on the ground.

  Silence again. Maybe she couldn't hear him knocking for some reason?
He sighed resignedly and put his hand on the doorknob, ready to enter the room.

- Oh, Aether, glad you got the message.
  The blonde shuddered slightly, not expecting completely anyone behind his back. Especially since he didn't even hear anyone's footsteps, which was really weird. He turned back immediately to look at the source of the voice.
- Ah, Master Jean - the boy smiled in greeting, but Jeans face clearly showed a slight worry and being tired from overworking. As always. - yes, yes, I got the message. Something happened? - he asked clearly concerned. He had to admit to himself, that his curiosity was eating him up at the moment. And not just now, but all the way to town, he wondered what he would hear from Jean today. Fortunately, the longed-for time for clarification has finally come.
- Yes, I have quite a problem. Albedo has promised to send us very important equipment for the knights. We wanted to try a new way of defense in battle, through the Dragonspine stones - she explained. However, before she continued her speech, Aether interrupted her with a question.
- Protection by stones? - it was the first time, when he heard something like that, so it got his interest.
- Mhm - she nodded - for vision users, making a protective shield is nothing extraordinary. However, I also wanted to provide equally strong protection for knights without a vision - she paused for a moment, as if waiting for the blonde's possible questions. However, he remained silent - Albedo was supposed to start the experiments the day before yesterday, but till today he still hasn't showed up - after this sentence, she sighed, probably disappointed by this fact - Looking at the fact, that you two get along very well, I thought that it would be best if YOU check if he is okay - she announced finally.
  The boy had to admit, it didn't sound very good. If Albedo hadn't showed here in two whole days, something might have happened to him. Something bad, that prevented him from coming here...
He shook his head gently from side to side, as if in that way he could get any negative thoughts out of his head.
- Could you do this for me? - she asked with a lot of hope in her eyes.
It only now hit on Aether, that he still hadn't answered her, he was just standing there and looking at her in silence.
- Ah, yeah sure, of course - he nodded in agreedment.
- Thank you, really - she said, clearly relieved - now forgive me, but I still have a lot to do. Please let me know when you find out something. - she replied, and then disappeared in her office.