Work Text
The Valkyrie Staff is a Holy Weapon, but it has its limitations. One, it can only bring back the recently departed. Two, only those who carry major Bragi blood can use it. Three, such power can come at a cost to the user, even if they have the appropriate holy blood.
He remembers everything Father told him about his heritage, about House Edda and the Crusader Bragi. Before he left home so his wife and children wouldn't have to watch him die from the illness he'd contracted shortly after fleeing Belhalla. Father himself had never had to use the staff, but there may come a time when you will, son. Remember, such power can come at a cost.So he never used it on the multitudes of soldiers and civilians killed by Blume's tyranny, despite the guilt that followed. But one day, shortly after realizing that she and Coirpre were siblings, Lene is struck down instantly by a stray arrow.Ares's horse tramples the enemy in his rush to get her back to Miletos, and Fee returns Ced and a sobbing Coirpre with a wave of her staff. Bring her back, please! Her body lies still and pale on the ground, and with shaking hands Ced pulls the Valkyrie Staff from his pack.He doesn't even think about Father's warning as he raises it, closing his eyes and chanting the words he's studied over and over again, hoping he'd never need to use them. He can feel every drop of his magic pouring into the staff, the mark of Bragi on his shoulder throbbing and pulsing; his body aches and burns but he pushes it aside, bring her back, bring her back, they've only just reunited...!He remains conscious just long enough to see her open her eyes and lift her head. Then, darkness. His first thought when he regains consciousness is that he's dead now, his own life exchanged for Lene's, and that he's about to meet Mother and Father in the afterlife. But instead, Fee is at his bedside, and he recognizes his room in the castle."This must be what he meant." He turns to Fee. "Sorry I worried you. I imagine you must have plenty to say to me right now." She smiles a little, her face exhausted but surprisingly lacking anger."Frankly, with how hard these battles have been I'm surprised we didn't need it sooner," she sighs. "I want to be mad at you, but it's not like you threw yourself into a nest of soldiers to protect someone. Father always said being a healer had its own risks."Ced slowly sits up, running a hand through his hair."He always told me the Valkyrie Staff's power came at a cost, but he never got around to telling me what that cost was before he died. I guess I just found out." His shoulder still burns a little, and he winces. "But somehow I wonder if that's it. If being unconscious for a little while is all it is..." He shakes his head. "I wish Father had lived just a little longer. I always do, but especially now, so he could have had a chance to explain things more.""We could ask Lewyn," Fee suggests. "He seems to know a lot about this stuff.""I should have talked to Sleuf more while I was fighting with Prince Leif's army back then." Ced sits up more, and Fee hands him the mug of water from the table. "He could communicate with Father's spirit." Fee nods."You told me. It's too bad we didn't think to look for him while were still in Thracia." She sighs. "But maybe we shouldn't. Maybe we should just be glad all it did was knock you out and you're awake now. And hope we never need to use it again!"The staff is currently broken, and it would take more gold than Ced has right now to repair it. They can't afford for anyone else to die."Maybe you're right," he says. "I feel mostly okay now, still a little tired, but nothing hurts." He takes one last sip of water, then stretches. "I should go check up on Lene and see how she's healing.""Coirpre's with her," Fee says. "And last I heard she's doing fine, the staff did its job. You should rest more." She's not demanding it, nor is she giving him the same looks she does to Arthur when he gets reckless, but he knows better than to argue with her.And he does still feel a bit groggy."All right." He lies back down, closing his eyes, but his concerns still linger. Fee sounds confident, and he knows someone would tell him if he were in any danger, present or future. But he still wishes there was a way to know for sure.All he can do is ask Lewyn later, and hope for the best.