Elden Ring: Putrefaction of Gold

Brothers and Sisters

Rennala was on her knees in front of the open window as the shine of the moon cascaded over her. She clasped her hands together in prayer as she pleaded with the night that once heeded her command.

She looked better after Ranni brushed out her hair and helped her change clothes. There were even fleeting moments, no more than a minute or two, where Rennala was lucid enough to recognize her daughter and exchange a few words. A full conversation was impossible, but it left Ranni with hope that her mother was still somewhere inside that shell.

"Why doth thou obey the will of the stars, o' Moon? Obey thy own will! Shy not away from the Sun that gifts thee with thine enteral light. The stars shall have no majesty over thee," said Rennala.

Rykard pinched the bridge of his nose before he gave a wave for the preceptor to shut the door.

"How long has she been this way?" Rykard asked.

"No one could precisely say," said Ranni.

Rykard sighed, "I suppose if those twats at the academy ever wanted to discredit her ability, they now have their chance."

"I caution ye against breathing a word of this to anyone," said Ranni.

"The academy has a right to strong leadership," said Radahn.

"Oh, and whom hast thou in mind? I suppose we could always allocate the whereabouts of that witch Sellen. I hear that she is more than willing to wear Mother's robes. I'm told primeval current is just what the Lands-Between needs."

"Mother isn't who she used to be, Ranni," said Radahn.

"Bold words for one who had caused the focus of these delusions," said Ranni.

Radahn kicked a chair, smashing it to pieces. "I did not cause this!"

"Thou hast turned against thy own mother, family, and legacy and become a puppet to the Golden Order," said Ranni.

"And you'll have nothing but your own way regardless of who must pay the price for it," said Radahn.

"This isn't about me. It's about mother."

"She's gone, Ranni. We must accept that first before we can do anything else."

"She's not gone. I've spoken with her. She's there," said Ranni.

"Ranni, she may be there for a moment, but that is not the same. Look at her! Why can't you see what's really happening?" said Rykard.

"Because I can't do this on my own!" cried Ranni. The tears started to come, and Ranni stormed out.

She went out to the garden, where she and her brothers often escaped when they did not wish to be caught up in their parents' constant fighting.

In her heart, Ranni knew that it wasn't as simple as a single incident causing this. The days after Radagon left Rennala would lay in bed often for weeks on end, refusing to speak and barely eating.

When the Golden Order came under Radagon's instruction to take the children, Rennala hadn't the strength or will to fight for them. She watched them go, not even saying good-bye and that hurt the worst.

Radagon insisted that his decision was not done with any ill intent for Rennala, but out of concern that her ability to care for three children - the youngest only seven - was impaired.

The contention within the walls of the academy didn't help either. They politely called them "schools of thought" but everyone knew they were nothing more than political factions who sought to make their own mark. Those like Sellen, went as far to dabble into dangerous magics for no other reason than to contend for the place as headmaster with a discovery that eclisped Rennala's.