A Russian Memory

It had been a while since Ghislain had visited this place. For all the memories and times spent here. This place brought back so many memories of his times as a child. Hunting and training with his mentor among other things. Ghislain had spent and taken his time for each moment was worth it. He exhaled a soft breath as he knelt down by the graves of his children. Perhaps it was best to say this was where Elizabeth wanted to be buried. But it was fair enough for her and her children to be put here. It was a strange visit to a familiar place in his life. The grave wasn't marked or known really. An unmarked grave with enough people buried around it to last a lifetime. Quincy burial grounds exist throughout this region. It was almost a hobby to see how many you could find. The fact was a person could spend their entire life and still never find them all. "So, I met someone interesting finally. You always said someday some girl would kick me out of my depressive mood.Made me tell a joke, I swear it was a strange thing. "

Talking to yourself a sure sign of insanity he figured. Ghislain didn't feel the cold relentless air or weather of the Russian countryside. No, it didn't bother him in the slightest. This was like a leisurely walk through the park and for him. At most, it was just missing a friendly conversation with a familiar face. Ghislain had plans and thoughts he was ready to begin designing a future for his people. But something else was egging him on. "I think the Vanguard may no longer require my services. My duty is to carve a path towards my beliefs if they should seek to alter that desire.Then our mutual benefit ends." Ghislain said pausing as he thought about it for a moment. Speaking to himself was alright as the former Emperor pulled the familiar pocket watch out. His hood still up he glanced at it taking in the object firmly. The picture of Elizabeth was shown to him as he signed a bit. Perhaps someday soon it would be replaced with Sofia's image.

"Whereas, our people are coming close to a breakthrough and may return to be something soon. They just need a little nudge in the right direction. I feel like the Vanguard needs one also, but they are so stubborn and stuck in their ways.Which coming from one of us is something. They need to embrace the next generation and prepare for what's to come. Preparation is required for facing Mana and her people. Hayden prepares Vastime, but who prepares the Vanguard?" Some would argue no preparation was required for the armies of Shadow's Fall. Those people were what he considered cannon fodder at best. The fact of the matter was a strategist never stop preparing. Everything is about setting the stage and making it work to the best of your capabilities. Quincy understood this a bit better in his mind. Or at least now they knew what was to come of the situation. Turning his back on the Vanguard wouldn't be an easy choice. But the question was, would they accept his proposal and prepare?

Or maybe they'd just sit ideal and say they were ready and good. That nothing needed to happen. If so it seemed his services wouldn't be required any longer. Elizabeth often said he stuck with things too long and maybe it was about time he took his wife's advice. This came off the adventure with Sofia. Being impaled and such did leave his thoughts wandering and concerned. Could the Vanguard be convinced that they needed to prepare? He faced Mana's fury and saw it for what it was indeed. She was a powerful foe, Vastime was ready. But was the Vanguard truly prepared for it? They'd lost almost every battle thus far they'd been in. But perhaps he was overthinking it and they'd made progress since he'd begun this pilgrimage.