Final Fantasy XVI - Thunder's Torrents

Ch. 15 - Child Of The Storm

"My dear child, it's wonderful to hear from you. I admit I didn't trust your first letter at all. Any person could pretend to be my little fighter. But when I saw the fine fabric you enclosed with your last letter, I realized: only you two could have sent me this exact message. I'm so glad you're doing well in Stonhyrr. The manor is not the same since you left, but it was right for you to spread your wings and fly off to a new adventure. We miss you, I will pass on my warmest regards to the lady of the house. Let's keep in touch and come and visit us as soon as possible. Your Brian."

Erie read the letter in front of her three times before she jumped up from the desk with a yelp and put her hand over her mouth, startled by her own outcry. She clutched the letter to her and looked up at the ceiling for a moment, thanking the Founder, the goddess Greagor, any deity there was, for sending her a sign.

The door to the room opened and Cid stepped inside with a questioning look on his face. "Is there something to celebrate or..." He didn't get to finish his sentence because Erie had already thrown herself at him exuberantly. She couldn't contain her excitement and felt so much gratitude for Cid, who had helped her and was still helping her. Through him, she had gained hope bit by bit over the past year, which now peaked in the letter she was holding up to the perplexed Cid's face.

"It's Uncle Byron, Cid...he's alive. I tried again, but included a piece of Brigit's woven cloth...now that I think about it, I should be a little offended that he recognized her cloth but not my handwriting."

Erie took the letter from Cid's face and read it through again as she paced around the room, wondering what to say to Uncle Byron. He had mentioned in his letter that he wanted to send his regards to "the lady of the house". This surely meant Anabella. He probably had contacts at court, or perhaps he had carried out some form of infiltration. She would ask him for details, as discreetly as possible. The main thing was that a Rosfield was still alive.

With all that had happened in Rosaria, Erie could understand why Byron hadn't claimed the throne for himself. He had probably decided not to take that risk and instead swear allegiance to Anabella, lest he lose his influence or be cast out.

"It's a wonder he could decipher your handwriting at all." Cid smirked.

"Hey," Erie crossed her arms and twisted her mouth in playful offense, "my handwriting is quite wonderful."

"Of course it is. But seriously," he came up to her and put a hand on her upper arm, "I'm glad you found him."

Since Cid had introduced her to the people in Garnick, their bond had strengthened. Benedikta had spent a great deal of time away from the castle on expeditions or other assignments from Barnabas, all of which she had gratefully accepted to prove her loyalty to Waloed. She had been training and working hard lately to become a better soldier for the king, who had welcomed her with open arms and placed her in his army. Erie knew Benni needed the control her standing in the army provided her.

Due to her increasing absence, Cid and Erie had trained together more often, and Erie had even taken on the might of Ramuh a few times, but of course lost every time and occasionally received the odd jolt of electricity. Cid, after making sure she was all right, had pointed to her hair standing up and the two of them had laughed.

Between her duties as the Lord Commander's maid, her friendship with Benni and Cid, and her visits to Garnick, the months had flown by for Erie. With the sign of life from Byron, she finally felt hopeful again, her mood was better than it had been for a long time, and a pleasant lightness enveloped her. Life had settled down for the time being and she could plan her next steps with a clear head.

The door to the room opened again and Benni stepped inside.

"Benni!" Erie exclaimed happily and hugged her friend.