Fire Emblem Blazing Sword: Uther & Hector Brothers and Lords of Ostia - How Uther was more Father than Brother by Dan
And the importance of Brothers
Ruling a kingdom is a heavy and taxing burden and responsibility. It takes a strong King to defend its lands, a just king to ensure corruption is kept in check, and a clever king to be able to adapt to situations where other rulers or nobles wish to take advantage of a situation, especially in a nation like Lycia, which is between many different countries, and boasts various Marquesses that might not all agree on the same page on a matter of politics, including selling out to neighbouring kingdoms.
The strongest of the Marches within Lycia, it was led by a mighty couple, until they met their hand at a sickness when their sons were young themselves. According to Hector, he remembered his parents being around when he was 7 years old, (Hector is confirmed to be about 17 in “The Blazing Blade”, however, we do not know Uther’s age. Hector mentions that Uther took on a fatherly role, but he also mentions that Uther recently came to the throne of Ostia. Therefore, it is hard to state the timeline, however if Uther had to fill the shoes of a father figure to his younger brother, and for Hector to confess this, it would mean that it would have to be between five to ten years that Uther has stepped in his father’s shoes, after their parents died of illness. If Uther is old enough to be considered a father figure, and to groom him to be heir, as if he were his own son, we would have to consider that Uther is at least five to ten years older, at the very least. Some estimate he could be as old as 40 years old. (Don’t quote me on that one. It is tough to pin down. So if you’ve got any ideas, just tell me.)
Once their parents died, Uther inherited a territory of Lycia that many would want to take advantage of, since Ostia is the strongest of the regions within the nation. Therefore a change in ruler will have at least a temporary weak period as Kings and rulers in Lycia, Bern, and even Etruria wished to take advantage of the death of the King, transitioning from father to son, in a sudden response. It takes a lot of strength, willpower and resourcefulness to lead a nation, especially one who is known for knights and chivalry amongst its ranks. Uther decided that spies were also necessary, especially in a time of war that was inevitable.
But there was also another matter he had to deal with, and that was his impetuous and impulsive younger brother, and his only family, Hector. He was a bold, obnoxious and direct person, telling people what he thought, and shocking sensibilities around him. Even sending his brother to a boarding school to help with his education was a tricky matter, until Hector met the son of a family friend, Eliwood. Eliwood would befriend Hector, and the Heir of Pharae would calm him down. People would treat the loud giant, also known as the Brash General as if he were a meathead, something that even Hector thinks he is, but the truth is elsewhere, and there was primarily three people who believed in Hector: his best friend Eliwood, his tutor and mentor Oswin, and finally, his older brother Uther.
The leader of Ostia learned early on, and learned fast that ruling a nation is not easy. And the challenges make it hard for someone like Uther to go and spend time with his brother, and yet he always made time for Hector, scolding him and keeping him in line, something that Oswin mentions might be a losing battle. However, Uther needed an heir, but he didn’t have the time, nor allies to find a bride. Therefore he needed to focus on the only member of the Ostian royal family that could inherit: Hector. The boy was unruly after the death of his parents, and Uther had to send him to a boarding school to help with the education, and to help him focus on matters of state. And yet, he always found time to spend time with his little brother, even personally teaching Hector how to run the land, and the military. And in order to keep an eye on his brother, and to ensure he would not get into too much trouble, he looked at his entire army, and chose a man called Oswin.
This man came from the common folk, something that shocked many. There were many reasons for this, as Oswin was one of the greatest knights of Ostia, therefore he can teach Hector. Next, Oswin can be used as a bodyguard for Hector, to make sure he wouldn’t get himself in trouble (even though Eliwood gets him in far more trouble than Hector does.) and finally, to keep an eye on the heir. Oswin would get exasperated with Hector, but he himself devoted himself to the brothers so much, that he does see Hector as something of a son to him. (Or at least a nephew.) Uther had to consider that many would try to take advantage of the princeling, and that it could cause other royal and noble families to get greedy, and try to take advantage of Hector. Oswin would regularly relay messages between the brothers, much to Hector’s alleged chagrin. Hector may have seen his brother as a bit of a nag and mother hen, (Which one can’t blame Uther for wanting Hector to behave) but he constantly wanted to hear about his brother, and Oswin would relay the stories between the brothers, as Uther was proud, yet exasperated of his brother, and Hector hero-worshiped Uther, thinking him invincible, even part way through the game.
Uther was seen as a regular Kiyomori of his age. All the rival lords dared not cross him, and he managed every part of his nation, and insisted Hector spend time among the normal people in the streets to teach him humility. He was the leader of the Lycian League, being King in all but name, but people acknowledged that possibility within the world. He would also manage the military, as Ostia was a military nation, and the bureaucracy and economy.
But he still found time to step off the throne and go find his brother to spar, or to discuss Hector's travels, and even to talk politics, and instructions on Ostia’s relationship with its lords and its neighbours. Both brothers would always find time to greet each other, and want to spend time with each other. However, in the beginning of Hector’s side of the story, he found Uther oftentimes coddling him. Therefore, arranging things with Matthew, Hector snuck out, unaware of two things. First, Matthew was a spy for Uther, and two, Uther knew of Hector’s plans, and simply allowed Hector to leave. He found it important to investigate the whereabouts of Marquess Pharae, a loyal vassal that started acting rather shifty, and to assist the heir of House Pharae, Eliwood, something both brothers found curious.
During the story, Uther learns that he contracted the same illness that took his parents, and also decided to order Oswin to secrecy, in order to ensure that Hector is to continue his investigation, and not come running back home out of concern, something that becomes moot, due to Hector quickly finding this out by interrogating Oswin, something that enrages the youth. As expected, Hector found his way to his brother, and eventually learns that his brother passed while he was at war, something which really angers and saddens Hector. This was a man who was a father to a wild child like Hector, and he was the only real one who saw the genius within the ax wielding whirlwind who crushed his enemies with tremendous force, who didn’t even see how smart and pragmatic he can be. Many would think they could take advantage of a power vacuum that a leader as grand and powerful as Uther could allow them to expand their lands, however Hector understood enough to know that he couldn’t trust just anyone, and actually expanded territory simply with diplomacy even with his blunt and crude approach. As much as others had faith in his abilities, Uther was the one who saw the most potential in Hector.
Many in Uther’s position might end up giving up on things, or buckle, or even run away from his problems, but he is no failed Disney Princess. He has to stand tall, and ensure that the kingdom is well managed. And he inspires Hector so much, that Hector matures, and becomes one of the primary tacticians and strategists that has one of the biggest success streaks in the game. And the only person who truly saw this was Hector’s father figure.
It is a pity that Uther was struck down by illness, aggravated by Uther working himself into an even earlier grave, and trying hard to be a ruler like Kiyomori. He ruled well, managed to slither around like a snake in a den of vipers, and always getting letters from or about his brother, cause in a way, Uther also worshiped the ground his brother, and sono walked on, and always demanded more updates on what his brother was doing.
And in Uther’s heart, the line “The greatest joy a father could have, is to be surpassed by his son”, is what he embraces, because Hector proves himself even far more energetic, far more efficient, and far more successful a rule, than Uther, something Hector would deny. After all, Uther was one of his father figures.
A good one. Glad you finally do a Fire Emblem-related analysis.