Chapter 15 – Talons Alight

We've defeated Erik, heir to Laus, and seized the castle. Currently, we're resting after the long travels, and doing our best to restore order to the province. The reason is mostly because we can't seem to figure out where Darin went. It's like he disappeared without a trace. Ostian spies are on the case, but until then we're stuck, waiting to see if anyone comes to attack the castle.

Knowing our luck? Not only is there going to be someone, but it's going to be an ambush.

"I still can't believe Pent did this," I grumbled, scowling at Erk and Priscilla. Erk was attempting to hide behind a book, not realizing it was upside down, and Priscilla just ducked her head. "I cannot believe he did this. And that you just left! With what? Barely a note?"

"I'm sorry," Priscilla mumbled. Her voice wobbled as she drooped. "It came up while I was having lessons and I… when he offered to help, I just had to!" Tentatively, she looked up at me. "So… it was a lot of spur of the moment, but…"

Oh, come on… "Come here." I held my arms out and she immediately left her chair to take the offered hug, curling into my side when I shifted over on the couch just like Anastasia would. "You two do know that my anger is born out of great worry for you two, right?" Erk peeked over the book to nod and Priscilla scooted a little closer, resting her head on my shoulder. "Now, explain to me, exactly, what all is going on?"

"I want to find out what happened to my parents." Her…? "My birth parents. House Cornwell." She sighed. "I love my adoptive family dearly, and I love my life in Etruria. I have wonderful friends, my lessons are fun, and in a couple of years, I'll get to see my best friend marry my older brother! There's little to complain about." Still, her voice grew softer. "But, I can't help but wonder what happened to my birth family. Why did they never come back for me? Did they forget me? Was I abandoned? Did they die?" Ah… "The anniversary of my fostering came up and it made my mind all frantic and gloomy, which Pent noticed…" Thus leading to the conversation.

"It's been a few months since we left," Erk explained. My eyes narrowed and he held up his hands in a pacifying gesture, dropping the book. "It was to make the journey safer, and to try and hunt down information. For instance, we learned that House Cornwell did collapse as rumors have stated." I tightened my hug on Priscilla. "We were heading to the old lands, to see if we could come up with clues as to why and what happened to everyone, when you found us." I see.

"The rumors we've been hearing are awful." Priscilla's voice was so small. "My birth parents are dead, of that everyone is certain, but no one knows anything about what happened to my older brother, Raymond." I see… "He could be alive. He could be dead. And they say my parents were thieves, corrupted, evil… worse than Marquess Laus!" Her breath hitched. "I don't believe it. I refuse to. They… they're so kind in my memories…" Oh, sweetie…

"There, there," I murmured, stroking her hair. "It's going to be okay." I glanced up at Erk. "You say a few months. How long?"

"The day preparations began was the day Lord Pent got your letter, stating you were leaving Ilia," he answered. I could only stare in incredulous shock. "It took some time, but I think we left before you left the Sacae. Certainly, didn't hear of a letter." They had been gone nearly as long as I have.

"You're both going to write letters to Michael." They nodded. "Tell him that you're with me. I don't doubt he's already heard I'm on a job, but hopefully, it'll reassure him." Priscilla finally sat up and I dabbed at her teary eyes with my sleeve. "I'll ask around for information, okay? So, head up, sweetling. Whatever the truth, it won't change who you are, and it will not change that your birth parents were good to you." She smiled slightly. "There we go. That's a pretty smile." I glanced at Erk. "Don't you think so too?"

"Yes." I smirked at how quickly he answered and laughed as his face burned red. "Um… er…"

"Should've checked the library first!" I looked up as Rebecca came skipping inside. "Sorry to bother," she said, smiling brightly. "But there's a person asking for you, Katri." A… who in Elibe would be visiting Laus and asking for me? "Lords Eliwood and Hector are talking to him now, but Sir Oswin said to get you fast before someone gets offended." Oh dear. "Main hall."

"Thank you, Rebecca," I answered. I carefully stood up, shifting my feet as I adjusted to the brace. "Say, Rebecca, why don't you show Priscilla and Erk how to make something?" Erk and Priscilla looked confused, but Rebecca's eyes shone. "Something sweet, perhaps?" That would be a nice distraction for them.

"Oh, yeah, I'd love to!" She giggled. "There's recipe books in here, I bet, so let's find something!" As she took command of them, I waved goodbye and made my way down the hall to where this guest supposedly was.

Oswin was waiting for me. "I apologize for all of this," he murmured, gesturing to the door. I could hear Eliwood and Hector talking in circles. "But, we wanted to make sure this wasn't some enemy of yours that you made."

"I don't think I have enemies that would make the effort?" I paused and sighed as I remembered the two nobles I sassed. "Then again, maybe I do. Who knows?"

"Well, if you did, know that all of us will gladly defend you." I… Oh, I couldn't help but flush in embarrassment. "This entrance will let you see the person before they can see you, so…"

"Understood." I cautiously entered the Main Hall, peering around the convenient statue that blocked the door from view. Only to be absolutely started by who Hector and Eliwood were talking to. I knew that armor, and I knew the scarred face and graying brown hair. Yet… "What is he doing here?"

"Foe?"

"No, friend. I'm just really confused." And I could see his smile become more and more polite, which meant he was getting closer and closer to snapping. "If you have others around, tell them everything is okay?" I waited long enough to see Oswin nod before stepping out into the room. "Charles?" All eyes turned to me, and Charles broke into a warm, relieved smile when he saw me. "What are you doing here?"

"Yes, it's good to see you too, Lady Katri," he replied, gently rebuking my lack of a 'proper' greeting. I simply rolled my eyes and grinned. "Well, now that I see you are not a prisoner, I must say, your employers are very good guards for you."

"I'd hope so. I depend on them highly." I turned my grin to a sighing Eliwood and confused Hector. "Sorry about this. I promise; I had no idea he was coming."

"But you do know him?" Eliwood asked, smiling slightly.

"Yes, this is Sir Charles, Knight Commander of Hanover." Charles respectfully bowed to Eliwood and Hector, smile genuine now. Both bowed back, all polite. "He's also one of the unofficial babysitter of everyone in the family, by virtue of being a good friend of Father's."

"And now I'm also babysitting the grandchildren," Charles added, chuckling lightly and smiling warmly. "Ah, you all grew up too fast. It seems like yesterday you were pulling pranks to avoid naptime, Lady Katri."

"You're not that old, Charles." He simply laughed again. "How's Maira?"

"She's doing well. Though, both of us were quite put out to hear you had come and gone while we were out surveying the lands." I smiled and shrugged. "Yes, I know you. Get a thought in your head and stick with it until the end. A wolf's loyalty and stubbornness."

"Who is 'Maira'?" Hector asked. He was looking more and more confused, and completely ignored Eliwood elbowing him in the ribs. "Your wife?"

"Oh, heavens, no!" Charles yelped. I burst into laughter, covering my hand to muffle it. I couldn't say it was his fault, but the mental image was so hilarious. "Her wife would kill me." Hector colored and coughed in embarrassment, mumbling something. "Maira is my second in command, a powerful valkyrie who decided to serve Lord Nick instead of going into our entirely too sexist army. And I am happily unmarried."

"S-sorry…"

"If it makes you feel better, little lord, you're not the first to ask. Apparently, our banter resembles a married couple's." He shook his head and reached into his pack. "Regardless, as wonderful as it is to see you, Lady Katri, checking on your health isn't the only reason I'm here." He passed me a letter, and I quickly opened it, skimming the contents. "It's your father's reply to your previous letter, with all the information Hanover and Etrurian spies have on Lord Elbert's disappearance and the Black Fang." Sadly, it wasn't much, but I still greatly appreciated it. I was still confused as to why Charles himself was here, though. A lower ranked knight could've easily carried this. "I… also have a verbal message for you." Ah. There we go.

"You asked your father?" Eliwood breathed as I passed the letter to him. Hector quickly shifted to read over his shoulder. "Thank you!" He gave me a bright smile. "Ah, wait, I'm distracting from the verbal message, aren't I?"

"Not really," I answered. I smiled wryly. "Father only does 'verbal messages' for private family matters." He nodded, understanding. "That's why we have big bad Knight Commander here. It has to be someone Father trusts with it."

"There's a side room here that should be private enough." Ah, Eliwood. Always considerate. "Hector and I will keep people from eavesdropping." I glanced at Hector and he nodded.

"Thank you." I hunted around, finding the side room easily, and headed for it, Charles following me inside.

"I'm glad to see you're wearing a brace," he murmured as he shut the door. I noticed a convenient desk and leaned against it to take some weight off my legs. "Bishop Yodel grumbled as he realized he forgot to have you fitted for one."

"Serra takes wonderful care of me," I replied. An awkward silence filled the room, and Charles wouldn't look at me. "So, what happened? Is Nicholas entering a rebellious phase?" No answer. "Did Mark do something stupid and is now trapped in marriage?" Still no answer, and I tried to think of what would make him so reluctant to relay the message. "Did something happen to the herds? Was someone injured?" Still nothing and I grew frustrated. "Damn it, Charles, tell me!"

"…I'm sorry." He bowed low, keeping me from reading his face. "But your mother, Lady Cristina, has passed away." Everything froze. My thoughts. My breath. Even time just seemed to hold still, leaving me trapped with that one sentence that I just… couldn't…

"How?" My voice cracked, and the word burned my throat. "An accident? Did a horse…?" I couldn't finish the sentence. "What… happened…?"

"It was consumption, my lady." Wha…? "There was a small outbreak in the capital. Lady Cristina was exposed while helping some victims get to Bishop Yodel for treatment." Then why didn't he treat her?! "He checked her over, said she was clear, and she came home." Why was this…? How could this…? "It was around the time when Lady Priscilla suddenly disappeared with only Lord Erk as her guard. Lady Cristina, of course, flitted about calming everyone. Bishop Yodel theorizes it had simply been latent until the stress of that, and… some other things in court awakened it." I… "Since she had already been cleared, she refused to get looked at again." Of all… of all the times for her to be stubborn?! And… and this was Pri… no. No, no, no. I… couldn't even… think that… it wasn't… I didn't… need that thought in my head… right now… "By the time we realized the truth, she was passed the point where healing magic would take."

"When?" When did she die? Where was I? Not there. I wasn't there. Would it have mattered if I was? Maybe? Maybe not? I didn't… I couldn't… think…

"The last letter she saw was the one where you mentioned you had taken a job with Lord Eliwood to help find his missing father." S-so, it had only been… I had been in Pherae when… "Here." It took me a few blinks to even focus on what he was trying to hand me. Letters. A large, heavy stack of letters. My nerveless hands almost dropped it. "They're… replies. To each letter you sent home." To each…? "She… read each one. Wrote a reply. Never sent it, of course." Well, yes, otherwise, they wouldn't be right here. "Even when…" His breath hitched and he coughed to clear it. "Even when she was bedridden, she would ask every day if a letter from you had come, and demand to read it. When she was too weak to hold the paper, she had someone read them to her, over and over again." The thought of that stubborn… making my life hell… woman being too weak to do anything just… didn't make sense to me. "And when she was too weak to write, she dictated in between the coughs." How… how dare she? How dare she die on me?! Before I could come home and get those scoldings, before we could argue like we always did! Before I could make some sense in my head about her and how I felt or whether I'd ever, ever forgive her for… how dare she?! How dare she die!? And how… how…

"I see." I… I had always just… wanted her… to accept me. To understand me. To be proud, just like Father was. I… why…? Just why?

"Lady Katri, please, come home." It took me a second to process the words, and even then, I could only stare as he looked at me entreatingly. "Your father will never admit it, but it would do him a world of good to have you back home where he could see you." I… "Lord Mark could use your help in running the province. Lord Nick has taken a break for mourning." Father… never took breaks… "Lady Maria frets, while Lady Anastasia and Lord Nicholas are inconsolable. You were always good at calming them." I… "Not to mention Lord Christopher is absolutely confused by what's going on because there's so much to do." But… "And Hanover would rest easy at having you home again, especially in the wake of this." I couldn't think. Nothing made sense. "Not to mention the tensions with Bern." Tensions? "King Mordred is finding the treatment of his sister and nephew absolutely intolerable." Queen Hellene… Zephiel… "And our spies hint King Desmond is itching to fight." Surely he… "If you returned, it would reassure him greatly." What? So I could watch Mildain? I suppose… "With your skill, Etruria could easily wage and win war on Bern and-"

Something snapped. Something snapped in my head and everything slammed sharply into focus. "You… want me to return to assist Etruria in a war." My voice was very, very quiet and very cold. The words burned my tongue. "A preemptive war. Declaring war before Bern declares it." I thought of the discussion I had just the other day with Eliwood and Hector about war. I think even Hector, who had so much faith in the future, would balk at this. This... wasn't protecting anything. "Tactically speaking, you would have to either burn a path through the Sacae to reach Bern, or crush one through all of Lycia." And in doing so… "ABSOLUTELY NOT!" My voice echoed sharply through the room as unbridled rage flooded me. "There is no point to it! You would sacrifice entire countries just to deal with a threat that doesn't even have the balls to do more than grandstand!" If you cut through the Sacae, Etrurian soldiers would be picked off by the nomads or would completely slaughter the tribes. Not to mention having to capture and hold Bulgar, which would mean utter massacre. Bulgar was free. It would never submit to anyone. "I became a tactician to help Etruria!" To march through Lycia would mean to destroy at least Ostia, and probably every other province as they chose to either fight or side with Etruria in a desperate hope to survive. "Not to help it become a tyrannical empire hell bent on slaughtering everything in its path!" And no matter the path, countless Ilian knights would be hired and used as living shields. "I will not return!" The rapes Florina had told me about... The indiscriminate slaughter of hunters Dayan had told me of... I would not tolerate it! "And you will tell King Mordred, to his face, that if he leads Etruria into war, I will do everything in my power to stop him!" I paused to breath. My head was a mess. I still didn't know what, exactly, I wanted. My mother was dead and the country I had wanted to serve so much was nothing more than a parasite on the other countries. But I did know one thing, and that was crystal clear, a shining light in my head. "I will stay here. I will help Eliwood. These soldiers are mine and I will guide and protect them until the end of this campaign, whenever and wherever it leads." That, at least, I could think with a clear head. "That message you will deliver to my father." I hesiated before adding, "and my naggings that he must take care of himself."

Charles simply stared at me, in stunned silence, before he bowed his head. "Understood, my lady." His voice was quiet, but it at least didn't sound angry. "I apologize for my words."

"…Go get some rest, Charles. It's been a long day for us both." He nodded and bowed more properly. "You go ahead. I… need to be alone."

"Of course." He hesitated before he left, though. "Try not to take everything on your own. It's always been your worse fault." I didn't reply and he left. I heard the murmurs of him talking amicably with someone. Probably Oswin.

I sighed and closed my eyes, leaning my head back as I tried to work through everything. I was working on a campaign for a lost lord that might've uncovered a brewing civil war in Lycia, tensions with Bern were increasing all around, King Mordred was considering a war that would destroy the continent, and my mother was dead. Could things get any worse?

I wanted to look to the stars to check, but I was… I was so damn scared it really could. And I… needed to wrap my head around what had already happened.

I growled in frustration as I leaned back in my chair, rubbing at my temples. It was far into the night, about a time when everyone should be sleeping, but I couldn't. My head was still too much of a mess from earlier. Yet it was also too much of a mess for me to actually get some work done, it seemed.

I sighed, leaning forward to try again. My eyes, however, were drawn to that stack of Mother's letters. Still tied up, in a very pretty ribbon. Pale green, a color I had worn often when I was still a toddler. Was that significant? Was it coincidence? I honestly didn't know.

I sighed again and stood up, moving the letters into my pack where I at least couldn't see them. I just couldn't deal with them right now. Maybe I should get some tea. Maybe it would help me feel a little less adrift.

With the plan in mind, I left my room, not bothering to find and light a candle to carry as I walked through the dark halls. Everything was quiet, peaceful, and it made me smile slightly. Good. Everyone could use the rest.

"Oof!" Of course. Of course I crashed into someone. Because, clearly, today was just going to be a weird day where nothing went as I expected. "I'm sorry, sweetling." Shaking my head, I smiled at the person, ready to call them by name, before I realized that I did not know the person. And there was no reason for someone wearing the armor of a Bernese wyvern knight to be here.

I made to yell, but he quickly snatched me, covering my mouth. I tried to struggled, but couldn't squirm enough to get a good hit in.

"Heath?" There's another person here? "You all right?"

"Yes, I just ran into a vase and had to keep it from falling," the man answered. He angled his head so that he wasn't yelling in my ear. "Hallway is clear. No one here."

"Man, where is this group? Think they're preparing for a counterattack?"

"Maybe. We should get to Sealen."

"Yeah, yeah. I'll go ahead. You try not to break anything."

"Very funny." There were footsteps and when they faded away, the man loosened his grip on me. "There we-ow!" I stomped on his foot hard and jumped away, getting distance between us. "I… probably deserved that." He smiled sheepishly at my disbelieving look. "I'm sorry. That was untoward." Uh… "I panicked, but that is no excuse." What the hell was going on? "There's an attack." No shit. "You should hide."

"No, I'm going to my group," I answered without hesitation. He looked startled. "I am a tactician, and I stand with them." He smiled slightly and shook his head. "Amused by something?"

"No, I think I'm in disbelief that there is a leader who doesn't abuse their soldiers."

"Oh, you're definitely a former Bernese knight then." He laughed bitterly. "…You should get running." He gave me a curious look. "Regardless of the heart attack you gave me, you were trying to protect me, yes?" He hesitantly nodded. "Then protection for protection. If you fight, you'll die. I know ways to fight wyvern knights. I traveled with the Bernese Hawks. I had to learn the weaknesses to protect them."

"And by knowing the weaknesses, you can deliver that knowledge to protect your current group." He nodded, accepting that. "Don't expect an easy fight."

"I never expect easy fights nowadays." I hesitated before adding, "you still sticking with them?"

"Well, yes." He sounded hesitant. "Why?"

"If you change your mind, feel free to come find me. This group is already a ragtag bunch of misfits." He gave me a disbelieving look before shaking his head. "The name is Katri, Heath."

"I'll… remember that, then." He glanced down the hall. "Someone is coming. Wrong direction for one of my group."

Then it was one of mine. "Then run." He didn't hesitate and I walked down the hall, intending on meeting whoever it was.

"Lady Wolf!" It turned out to be Matthew, and he smiled in relief when he saw me. "Checked your room and didn't see you there," he breathed. "Thought they got you."

"Sorry, I had left to get some tea," I replied, smiling wryly. "I saw a couple of unknown people, though. Attack?"

"Yep. Lords are in the throne room." That probably was the most defensible area. "Hopefully, everyone else too." Right… "Before you say anything, no, I'm not letting you head there alone. What if you crash into one?" Ahaha… haha… ha…

"Fine, fine." I sighed and glanced down at my brace. "Let's see if this holds up."

"…You're going to run, aren't you?" I took off without another word. "Damn it, Lady Wolf!" I didn't see why he was cursing. He easily kept pace with me.

It didn't escape me, as we ran, that I could suddenly think again. I could generate thousands of different strategies, and select the best ones based on my group's strengths and weaknesses. Yes, this… was where I wanted to be for now. Here, I was proud to be a tactician. And that knowledge had me smiling, even as Matthew and I finally slid into the throne room.

"Give me a headcount and then what you can make of a map," I ordered Matthew. He nodded and bolted off to do that. I quickly hunted, and found, Hector and Eliwood and jogged to them. "Someone, tell me what's going on. Now." Both of them turned and smiled in relief when they saw me. "Who's attacking?"

"Well, Oswin thinks it's a mercenary group loyal to house Laus," Hector explained. Oswin was already taking advantage of his armor to be a shield. "And they're hitting hard and fast and ambush."

"Sounds like the Fierce Eagle, then." He gave me a disbelieving look. "I traveled with mercenaries and it's not really common to see a mercenary group all but sworn to a single house." I bit my lip, thinking furiously. "I fought Eubans and his group when I traveled with the Bernese Hawks, so I'll get a strategy in a few minutes. Just need to remember how they moved."

"We just need to not lose the castle, so don't go making things complicated." Could I get away with bopping him in the head? "You feeling all right?" Huh? "You don't look like you got sleep." Ah.

"I got caught up in reading." Easy enough lie and he accepted it with a roll of his eyes. "Now then…" If I remembered correctly, Eubans had his people retreat when they lost the element of surprise, so we could conceivable end this with just waiting it out. What brought victory that last time, though, had been killing the enemy leader, to it would probably be better to…

"What is going on?" I glanced back to see Charles walk in, frowning in confusion. Around the same time, Matthew popped to my side and silently passed me a note before darting off. A map, with the words 'all accounted for' scrawled in the corner. Well, that was a relief. "Who would be ambushing you?" he asked, joining the group. I noticed Oswin and Marcus coming up as well, having repelled the first little wave. We didn't have long. "And at such a rude hour."

"I doubt they care," I murmured. Ah, there was a door… yes, okay, I had a strategy. "Charles, you're going to be my guard here to free up Matthew and Guy."

"Why would you need…?" His eyes widened. "My lady, you don't go on the field with the soldiers, do you?"

"Not now, Charles, I'm working."

"My lady, I cannot condone such reckless actions."

"You didn't like me going to the tactics school either. Didn't stop me then, not stopping me now."

"Lady Katri."

"Charles, stop babysitting and let me work." He sighed heavily, and it didn't escape me that Marcus and Oswin both sent him sympathetic looks. Based on how disgruntled Eliwood looked and how deep Hector's scowl was, I'd say it didn't escape them either. "Now, then… listen to me, all right? Here's the plan."

Oswin, Marcus, and Hector guarding the front, Eliwood guarding a cracked wall, Lowen guarding one of the doors. Rebecca and Erk on covering duty. Priscilla and Serra on healing. Matthew and Guy were slipping around back to play assassin on the leader. It was a simple, but effective strategy with the low numbers, and since Merlinus had somehow managed to set up our arsenal in a convenient and compact manner, I didn't even have to fret so much on weapons breaking, tomes falling apart, and staves losing their charge.

Now, granted, there were the people who launched attacks over the guards' heads to get at those behind, but since there was quite a bit of distance and predictability to the attacks, they weren't nearly as dangerous as they could've been.

"This is why you got shot by an arrow, isn't it?" Charles grumbled as he knocked a javelin out of the air. "Why did you have to inherit Lord Nick's recklessness?"

"Same reason I apparently got his 'scary intellect'?" I replied absently. I didn't like that magic user edging towards Hector. "Oh, but that was because we stormed an assassin base and I forgot that people could hide in ceilings. You can't exactly hang back for that."

"Assassin?" He sighed heavily. "Why do you always find trouble?"

"Because it likes stalking me. Can you move a little? You're blocking my view of the right side of the field." He did as I asked and I nodded. "Marcus, Oswin, switch places. Marcus, there's a mage that needs skewering. Rebecca, pass him a new lance once he's thrown his." I smiled as they did what I asked, Marcus actually killing the mage with the single throw. I loved it when luck actually helped us.

"Katri!" I leaned back to better look at Eliwood. "Walls falling," he informed me. My eyes narrowed as I determined how wide the crack now was. Not yet enough for a person, but…

"Erk, throw fireballs and thunder through the wall. Eliwood, duck to make it easier for him to aim. If that doesn't get all of them, Eliwood, surge forward and destroy their shoulders or something, like you did Erik." …Right, Erik. I'd have someone check the dungeons after this. I doubted they'd go all the way down there, but still. "Lowen, you still good?"

"Yeah!" I heard him reply. I twisted to check and smiled reassuringly when I saw how nervous he was. "They're trying to break the door, but haven't succeeded yet. I'll let you know if that changes!" Excellent. "Oh, there's Guy and Matthew." Oh?

"Leader dead!" Matthew announced as he and Guy jumped into the throne room, shutting a door behind him. They were scratched up and bleeding, but both smiling. "I distracted him and Guy sliced his head off. Killing edges are killer, aren't they?" I… wasn't even going to dignify that with a reply. Instead, I waved to catch Serra and Priscilla's attention and pointed to the two newcomers when I had it. They got the hint instantly. "Oh, look, they're already falling back."

That they were. "Charles, please go with Marcus and Oswin to make sure they actually leave?" He nodded and raced off, relaying the order to the other two.

Hector, after glancing around and moving his hand like he was doing a silent headcount, walked up to me, grinning. "Yes, we survived!" he laughed, clapping me on the back hard enough to make me choke and burst into a coughing fit. "Er… sorry…"

"Please be careful of your fragile tactician," I grumbled, grimacing. Ugh, coughed so hard my chest hurt. For crying out loud, Hector!

"Fragile isn't a word I'd associate with you." However, he passed me a little caramel treat. "Here. Might help." I took it without a word, still grumbling under my breath. "Oswin? Enemy still around?"

"No, they're retreating," Oswin relayed, walking up to us. "Sir Charles and Sir Marcus are confirming, since they run much faster than I." He gave me a concerned look, but I just pointed at Hector. "My lord, be careful. She gets injured enough without you adding to it." …I couldn't refute that. "Regardless, half of them are already gone. It must've been part of their plan."

"Blast!" Hector growled before sighing. "Can't help but admire their efficiency. Best remember them, as I'm sure we'll cross paths again." That was true, especially if we were going to keep fighting Darin. "And there's the assassins I fought in Ostia." …Wait, what? "That wasn't aloud, was it?" I gave him a look and he groaned. "Can I get away without explaining?" I kept staring and he sighed. "Fine, fine. Later. Eliwood's coming and I don't want him to know. You too, Oswin. Absolute secret."

"I am very good at keeping secrets, my lord," Oswin answered, bowing his head slightly. "You need not worry."

"Worry about what?" Eliwood asked as he joined the group. I noticed a gash on his cheek, and absently used my sleeve to help blot it. He must've gotten hit before the retreat. "Ah, Katri, your shirt is stained."

"That's fine. It's easy to wash out blood," I answered without really thinking about it. I got three very weird looks and I really could help but return it with a droll one. "Okay, children, there's this thing some people experience called 'moondays' where they bleed-"

"I-I get the point!" Aw, poor Eliwood was flushing so badly! Haha! "Anyway, worry about what?"

"Nothing special," Hector dismissed. Eliwood gave him a skeptical look and Hector smiled easily. "Just tighten belts and prepare, that sort of thing. Oswin!" Oswin bowed slightly. "Tell the spies to make it a priority to learn where Marquess Laus went. I tire of defending. It's time for our enemies to be on the defense!" Loud…

"Well, there is the saying 'offense is the best defense'," Charles murmured, walking up. He bowed to me. "Sir Marcus is staying at the gates to confirm that they are not returning, but they have all retreated for now. A wyvern knight held their escape route open." I nodded, glancing at Erk, Rebecca, and Lowen to confirm their health. Rebecca's hands were bleeding again… "I'm sure it comes as no surprise to you, but even with this, I will be leaving in the morning, my lady. Are there any changes to your messages?" I paused to think before I shook my head and he sighed. "Very well. I take it you're going to stay up far too late as is your habit." I glowered and he smiled. "That won't work, my lady. I've known you since you were a haughty little child demanding hugs from everyone who visited." I felt a blush creep on my face and ducked my head to try and hide it. "Pleasant dreams, my lady. Don't let the night birds bite."

"Oh, just go to bed," I grumbled. He laughed and I scowled. "I'll see you off in the morning. Don't leave until I do." He bowed and walked off and I sighed heavily. "I swear; he thinks I'm still five." Though, no small part of me was glad he still treated me the same after my earlier outburst.

"Let's keep him away from Marcus," Eliwood chuckled. He patted my shoulder reassuringly, giving me a sympathetic smile. "Just the other day, Marcus reminded me of how I used to toddle after him as a child." Ugh, yeah, no, keep them away from each other! "Is everything all right?" Hmm? "With your family." A-ah…

"Oh, it's fine." I made myself smile. "Father just wanted to tell me about some illness in the family. Gossip tends to escalate things, so he was worried that I'd hear a rumor about deaths in the family!" It hurt. It hurt to smile. "That's all."

"I'm glad to hear it's not so serious." I felt sick from guilt. But I didn't want him to stress. I would quietly mention the tensions with Bern. I would offhandedly mention Etruria's growing ire. Those were incredibly important to tell him. But my mother's death? I wouldn't… I didn't want him to stress. He was stressing far too much already.

So, I'd keep silent. I was good at keeping things quiet.

Notes on consumption:

· Characterized by coughing up blood, it gets its name from how rapidly victims can lose weight, making it look like something is eating them.

· The Bishops teach that the disease isn't really all that contagious, but those unfortunate enough to be infected might have it rest latently for years.

· It is one of the few diseases where there is a set window of time Bishops can heal you. If you're outside it, all you can do is get your affairs in order and make yourself comfortable as you die.

· There seems to be an inherited disposition with it, so if a family members catches it, you have to be cautious. …I should… have someone check on Hector… his parents died of it, after all.

Author notes: So, this was a fun little chapter. There's actually not a lot of plot, so I… added some? Ahaha? It's basically to showcase what Etruria is doing during all this (there's barely any mention of it), and to give a 'not-so-different' vibe with Bern, especially considering the events of FE6.
Euban's nickname if Fierce Eagle in the Japanese version, which explains the title better, so I went with that. Also, went with Heath cameoing like this to show his personality. Eliwood also makes a vague mention to his C support with Marcus at the end here.

Next Chapter – Interlude, Laus