There was very little opportunity for conversation or indeed anything besides concentrating on keeping up with the blistering pace that Catherine set from the very moment that they passed through the Monastery gates in the early morning sun to begin their journey to Castle Gaspard.

Dedue was in misery before the first hour had passed. The medicine that Professor Manuela had provided him helped immensely, settling the roll of his stomach against the motion of his beast, but he was seated stiff and awkward, and his muscles were soon screaming for relief. Unfortunately, his nerves would just not allow him to relax. A few quick glances at the Professor showed that she was suffering just as much as he was, her own body tense, although she had a determined and gritty look to her eye that he was sure he was lacking.

Dimitri rode with the confidence of someone who had been around horses for all of his life, which had probably been the case, and Sylvain and Felix, while not as supremely striking as the Prince, appeared competent and comfortable. Dedue couldn't help a slight feeling of jealousy at the ease with which the lads were managing the travel, and to top his troubles, he was also beset with worry that if a situation arose where he was needed to protect his charge – his own legs would let him down.

When Catherine rather imperiously called to slow their speed to a walk before stopping for lunch, Dedue dismounted immediately and walked alongside his beast, trying to readjust to the pleasure of solid earth under his feet.

'Alright?' Byleth came up behind Dedue, also on foot and leading her horse. She placed a steadying hand on his arm.

'I am Professor, thank you.' Dedue lied stoically.

'Fibber!' She accused, her lips quirking into a fraction of a smile. 'If you feel anything like me… and I know you do… then you are likely wishing that the ground will open up and swallow you whole sometime between now and having to get back into the damned saddle this afternoon.'

'Is that an option? I will definitely take it.' The big man smiled back at her, relaxing properly for the first time in hours.

Byleth chuckled. 'If only!' She squeezed his arm reassuringly. 'You know, by the end of this trip, we will both be such seasoned riders that we will be wondering what all the fuss was about in the first place.'

'That's a good way of looking at it.' Dedue agreed.

'I'm the one that's lying now.' Byleth laughed. 'More likely, we will both be cripples…'

'Not quite so comforting a thought.'

'At least we have each other to moan to!' Byleth gave his arm a final squeeze as Catherine called the stop.

The break turned out to be a lengthy one, to allow the horses time to be rested, while the students hauled water and kept an eye out for game and foliage that would go towards their evening meal. Byleth, Ignatz, and Ashe fished from the river with some success, while Ingrid, whose Pegasus could manage longer journeys, scouted their afternoon path ahead once she had eaten and stretched her legs.

Dedue found himself working with Mercedes, packing the caught fish in paper bundled with some of the herbs that they had found on their forage of the local area.

'Fish…' Mercedes said with a sigh. 'I know I should give proper thanks for the blessing of any food provided for us… but I have a feeling we will be rather familiar with fish by the time this journey is over.'

'Perhaps you can pray for sweets.' Dedue noted quietly. 'I have observed that the Fodlan Goddess will accept prayers of any sort.'

Mercedes giggled warmly. 'You know Dedue, I have noted the very same thing myself. Perhaps a prayer for a nice patch of strawberries wouldn't go amiss!'

They worked in silence for a few moments, although Dedue was aware that Mercedes was glancing at him with an edge of curiosity on her face.

'Is there something you wish to say, Mercedes?' He asked quietly.

She flushed slightly as if being caught out. 'I was simply wondering if the people of Duscur prayed to the Goddess too. From your comment, it sounded like they did not.'

Dedue had to work hard to keep the surprise from his face at her inquiry. 'Well, no. Although She was recognised as the Fodlan Goddess.' He admitted. 'Duscur had a very different view on religion.'

'Oh?' Mercedes looked intrigued.

'In Duscur, there are many gods.' Dedue supplied. 'The sky had a god, and the earth had a god. We made offerings to the war god for victory in battle and held feasts for the sea god to calm the waves.'

'I see.' Mercedes said thoughtfully. 'So your people prayed to a different god depending on what they needed?'

'That is correct.' Dedue agreed.

Mercedes clapped her hands together in delight. 'It all sounds so different from our beliefs. Would you tell me more?' She asked enthusiastically.

'Why?' Dedue was frowning, a deep crease marring his forehead. 'Duscur is no longer anything more than a ruin.'

Mercedes smiled gently at him, her eyes compassionate. 'Duscur may be gone Dedue, but you are still here, are you not? I would love to hear about the beliefs of your people at some time… if you would be willing to share them with me.'

Dedue's head span at her words. 'If it would please you.' He managed to reply formally.

'Really?' Mercedes's smile grew. 'That would be great. I look forward to it!'

'As do I.' Dedue said hesitantly. He realised that Mercedes was staring at him again with her curious look. 'Is there something else?' He asked, warily.

'Well…' Mercedes's looked down at her work as if embarrassed. 'I was wondering whether there was a god that you might pray to for some peace in your riding?'

'Oh.' Dedue thought about it. 'There is a god related to travel…' He mused. 'There is also a god who governs animals… I suppose.'

'Just a thought, Dedue.' Mercedes giggled.

'Probably quite a good one.' Dedue admitted. 'I need something to help me… may as well try for a bit of divine intervention.'

'Was that a joke?' Mercedes beamed encouragingly.

'Only partially.' Dedue sighed.

.

The afternoon's ride was as much of a trial for Dedue as the morning's had been, although the steady gait of the horse had somehow become more a little more familiar and less of an immediate concern. Nonetheless, when it became time to dismount again to set up camp and hunt before the last of the daylight vanished, Dedue was stiff and sore and feeling uncommonly grumpy.

'Let me help.' Ashe appeared at Dedue's elbow as he began to untack his mount. 'I spent loads of time in the stables after Lord Lonato took us in. I really enjoy spending time with the animals!'

'I'm afraid animals don't seem to like me much.' Dedue admitted as Ignatz came to a stop beside them both. 'Although the Professor's kitten seems to be more tolerant than most.'

'You should smile more at them.' Ashe advised. 'You have such a lovely smile and animals pick up on that sort of thing, you know!'

'Ah, I see. So the problem is my face.' Dedue nodded. 'Understandable…'

'No! I didn't mean…' Ashe started to babble apologies, then stopped dead when he heard Dedue's rare rumbling laugh.

Ashe grinned, something that Dedue hadn't seen from him for a while. 'Well, that was mean, Dedue! I thought I had hurt your feelings!'

'I have no doubt you are right.' Dedue clapped the boy on the back with a chuckle. 'My grim façade is rather impressive after all!'

'It certainly scared me when I first met you!' Ignatz agreed, nodding. 'Mind you, most people scared me… some still do.'

'Really?' Dedue looked surprised. 'Hubert?' He guessed.

'Obviously!' Ashe winced.

'It's probably easier to list those that don't scare me…' Ignatz sighed.

'And yet you are not intimidated by a man of Duscur?' Dedue inquired. 'Most would despise or be fearful of that man ahead of any other.'

'You could most definitely flatten me with ridiculous ease.' Ignatz said timidly. 'I don't think you would, though, unless I proved to be an enemy to the Prince, and that's not likely.'

'Flattening archer's unnecessarily isn't one of my recreational pursuits.' Dedue agreed.

'Now if you were a weed, on the other hand…' Ashe smiled. 'Dedue doesn't go easy on the weeds in the greenhouse; that's for sure!'

'Ashe, Ignatz… are you ready to come hunting before the light fades?' Byleth had jogged up to them and clasped both archers by the shoulder.

'I guess so!' Ignatz looked at the Professor shyly. 'I just hope the camp is not relying on me for eating at. I'm not sure I am going to be all that good…'

'Pfft, Claude sings both of your praises.' Byleth declared. 'He isn't the sort to do that without reason. Felix and Sylvain are also out setting traps to be checked in the morning, so really, we have no pressure on us, what with all the fish we caught earlier. Tonight is a warm-up!'

'What will you have me do, Professor?' Dedue asked politely.

'I need you to erect the tents with Annette.' Byleth chuckled. 'I'm not entirely sure that she should be let loose with a mallet given her ability to fall over her own feet, so I will need you to keep a close eye on her, please!'

'Of course.' Dedue's agreed, and couldn't help feeling a momentary relief that he had not been paired with Ingrid. As he gathered up the waiting mage and they moved over to where the tents had been laid out, he noted that Dimitri was set up on watch and that Mercedes and Ingrid were starting to put together the campfire.

He wouldn't have had a problem if he had been requested to work with Ingrid himself, but the girl was very clear in her own distaste for him. Within the Blue Lions, it was only Felix and Ingrid that overtly showed any hostility for the man from Duscur and in the case of Felix, although his words were rough… more than once referring to Dedue as a dog, loyal to his master – Dedue got the impression that Felix's attitude was more of a reflection of his prickly relationship with Dimitri than any true dislike for Dedue himself. Felix was also particularly upfront in his opinions, which Dedue respected. Ingrid, however, was quieter, and not confrontational, opting to avoid him completely or to look through him as if he wasn't there.

The attitude of both of them was understandable to Dedue's logical mind. Quite aside from the general population's animosity to people from his land, Felix had lost his brother and Ingrid her betrothed to the tragedy that had befallen the Royal House of Blaiddyd in Duscur. Their right to hate him was unquestionable, but it did make for an uncomfortable atmosphere.

'I'm not sure I'm doing this correctly!' Annette moaned piteously, shaking Dedue from his thoughts. He observed her attempts to hit the ground pegs with the mallet that in her tiny hand's looked like a giant's weapon.

'Move your feet back a bit and bend your knees. You will have a better balance and greater power.' Dedue suggested.

'Like this?' Annette did as he suggested then looked up at him.

'Just like that. You are much closer to the ground than I am Annette, so you should have an advantage in actually hitting the peg.' He observed.

'Oh, yes! That's true.' Annette beamed. 'You are so high up I'm surprised you can even see such a small stake of wood!'

'Just make sure you don't hit your feet or the Professor will have my hide!' Dedue added.

Annette laughed. 'You aren't scared of a small wee thing like the Professor, are you Dedue?' She taunted.

'I have noted that some of the most deadly things come in small packages.' He noted sagely. 'Like yourself of course. You could burn me to a crisp as soon as look at me.'

'Well, obviously!' She agreed pulling a funny face at him. 'You had just better make sure that you stay in my good books.' She took an exploratory swing and hit the stake plush to its center, driving it deep into the ground. 'Oh! Did you see that?' She cried out happily.

'Very powerful.' Dedue nodded. 'Only another thirty or so to go.'

Annette looked up at him and then down at her skinny arms.

'Crap…' She moaned.