Mordax et al

Bond

 Beneath the forbidding masks that Jeritza and Edelgard wear, they share a bond that others don’t understand.

 The Death Knight is the Flame Emperor’s weapon, pointed at the
enemy and unleashed. It helps Jeritza sleep at night– when he is able
to sleep at night at all– to know the demon that lives inside of him
spills blood at least in service of a noble goal. He knows Edelgard
feels the same about her own demon.

 One day, the demons will be quiet, perhaps. Edelgard and Jeritza
will sit in the garden and wallow together in peace rather than blood.

—

Dance

 The Death Knight and the Flame Emperor find themselves back to
back, covered in blood and surrounded by foes. They are cut off from the
rest of their army. For a mere two soldiers, the fight looks worse than
hopeless.

 No words pass between them. There is no flesh exposed to touch.
They click the fingers of their gauntlets together briefly. It is enough
to pass the sentiment between them.

 They will live or die shoulder to shoulder. Either way will be a beautiful, fearsome dance.

 Perhaps they will die in a pool of each other’s blood.

 Today, they live.

—

Training

 “You’re a terror with that axe, but your swordsmanship needs
work,” Jeritza stands close behind Edelgard. He whispers, so no one else
on the training field can hear. “After all, wasn’t it you who gave me
the scythe  and told me that versatility was a virtue? Here, let me.”

 He puts his arms around her like an embrace, his calloused hands
over her small ones, showing her how to hold the weapon. He feels her
lean against him for support, just for a moment. Before she remembers
herself. She stands more firmly. He still feels the intimacy of her
warmth.