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The Grand Melee was in any words, tons of fun for F’reiia. As she wore Ishgardian colors with pride and fighting the Grand Companies, what more could she say that she had a blast? Just as she was about to leave with Thancred, Raubahn had called out for her. “F’reiia, please wait. There’s something I’d like to ask you about.”
F’reiia looks back at Raubahn, somewhat confused, but stops walking. “Of course.”
Thancred gave a nod at the two and kept walking ahead. It was just the two of them alone now, with F’reiia tilting her head questioning.
“What is it, General Aldynn?
“You’re F’Rinha’s kid aren’t you?”
She froze on the spot, not daring to look at Rauhban, feeling quite colder than ever, and it’s quite cold in Coerthas. Freezing even, with the Flame General’s eyes piercing right at her. She hadn’t heard her father’s name in so long— in six years.
It’s been a year since she came to Gridania and signed her name as F’reiia Nimue— not F’reiia Rinha. To discard her father’s name was probably considered disrespectful… but he was far long gone. She waited five years, five years for news for her father— for F’Rinha Nunh. But none appeared.
After debating for a few seconds, she turns to face him, and resolves … not quite set. Even though she just faced the General in battle, he’s still quite intimidating somehow. He's a man of many feats and accomplishments— she wonders how — he even knew her father.
“I might be.” She replies coolly trying to gauge the man’s reaction.
“You might be? Come on lass. You’re his kid through and through.” He looks at her, smiling, continuing. “The way you fight and move in battle— it’s similar. The way you two hold the lance—you’re very much his child.”
This threw her off a bit somehow, looking at the Hyur in surprise. “He used a lance?” Their guard dropped and she looked embarrassed. “You can’t be saying you recognized me as his child just because of how I fight…”
“Perhaps not, but the similarities are all the same. The way you speak and the way you move. Especially your eyes — they’re similar to his.”
Well, she couldn’t quite find anything to say back to that, staying quiet. “How did you know him? All I know… was that he joined the Immortal Flames… and to be honest that felt like a lifetime ago.”
“Aye, he joined specifically to help out in the effort and to make the world a little slightly better for his tribe and his children.” He paused. “Unfortunately, he died during the Battle of Carteneau.”
A choked sob came out from F’reiia - almost feeling as if being released from everything and her worries. Tears fell and she hastily wiped away her tears. “I always— somehow knew… that was the case. But I kept waiting— me and my siblings kept waiting for him to come back… for five years, we kept waiting.”
“My apologies, lass. I didn't mean to cause you any pain. I wish I could have sent word of his death, but there wasn’t any appropriate time or place.”
Her eyes red from tears, she shook her head. “Instead of pain, you brought me immense relief— to finally know what happened to him. My siblings will be glad of this news— as he was always in our hearts.”
“I am glad if that’s the case. Now run along now, I’m sure your companions are waiting for you. I have much to discuss with the others.”
“Aye, aye. Take care General, see you another time then.”