It wasn't long after Hubert had returned with Byleth to the infirmary that the house leaders meeting broke up, and all three of them made their way together to visit her.

'My teacher.' Edelgard was first through the door with a frown on her face that only relaxed a bit when she bowed to Byleth. 'It is good to see you awake at last.'

'Professor!' Dimitri was right behind Edelgard. 'You had us all so worried!'

'Hey, teach.' Claude sauntered in after the other two and threw himself down on the end of Byleth's bed. 'Seems you overslept some.' He winked at her and then smirked at Edelgard's annoyed gasp at his impertinent informality.

'Hey, guys.' Byleth was relaxed back against her pillows and waved the others to take seats.

'We are not disturbing your rest?' Dimitri asked politely.

'Not at all. Honestly, I wish I was out of here already, but Manuela is overly cautious.' Byleth replied.

'We are not being allowed in for very long anyway.' Edelgard said frostily. 'Seteth would only allow us a short attendance, all together.' She was obviously not happy about the arrangement.

'He did say it was because he needed to fill you in on the schedule for the next few weeks.' Claude had helped himself to some fruit from the bowl by Byleth's bedside and was carefully peeling it. 'Looks like it's the Deer's turn for your mission leadership this time around.' He smiled up at Byleth, with a wicked twinkle in his eye. 'I can't help but wonder what trouble you will manage to get us into – given your form so far.'

'Unkind!' Byleth said grumpily, while Edelgard scowled and Dimitri chuckled.

'While the Professor might well be a magnet for additional adventure on her quests, it should be pointed out that she is quite exceptional in actually dealing with the unexpected when it happens.' The Prince bowed for a second time at Byleth. 'I believe I owe you and Jeralt my life once again.' He added.

Byleth waved away his words impatiently. 'So give me a heads-up on what's going on before I get the official line.' She demanded.

'Well, all of the houses are being tasked with providing extra security at the Ritual of Rebirth.' Edelgard explained, casting a quick glance at Hubert, who had fallen silent as soon as the others had arrived.

'Obviously, the Knight's primary objective will be the protection of the Archbishop, but since the Monastery is fully open to the public for the day, we will provide an extra resource on the ground.' Dimitri added.

'Just the teeny-tiny task of guard and patrol while the Knights try to prevent the assassination plot. Simple, eh, teach?' Claude smirked.

'Surely it would be better to all work together, rather than split by house.' Byleth frowned. 'A cohesive unit would cover the grounds much better.'

'Yeah, Jeralt made that point too.' Claude agreed. 'The Archbishop reckoned it would be too big a job for you alone to oversee, although I get the impression that Seteth and the other Professors may look to a more co-operative solution regardless of what the lady says.'

'Since we are all here now, perhaps we should bring up what nobody is saying, but that does appear to be glaringly obvious…' Dimitri said quietly.

'What do you mean?' Edelgard asked, rather dismissively.

'He's talking about the fact that the whole assassination routine is a little suspicious.' Claude eyed the Princess shrewdly. 'I'm absolutely sure that Hubert is quite cynical enough to have developed his own doubts about the validity of the threat as it's being presented..'

'I'm surprised that you even care, Claude.' Hubert muttered. 'You work so hard on appearing to be a cretinous coward…'

Dimitri looked between Edelgard and Hubert. 'I realise that playing nicely with others is not your personal preference, Edelgard, but there is something very off here, and we would do well to pool our resources in this matter.'

'You have some resources to offer?' Edelgard challenged. 'I suppose your pet dog and skirt-chaser might come in useful as bait or something…'

'That is enough!' Byleth's tone was granite. Even Hubert jumped.

'A bit uncalled for.' Claude agreed.

'Be wary of how you speak to her Highness.' Hubert warned ominously, although he couldn't make eye-contact with Byleth.

'There is no call for threats.' Dimitri's face was rapidly turning red.

Edelgard folded her arms, her lips set in a firm and disapproving line. 'This is pointless.' She declared. 'Pursuing our missions independently is the only way we will manage this. We are not a team.'

Byleth tapped her cheek thoughtfully. 'You know…' She finally said. 'I don't really give a shit what grievances you may have with each other or what crap this is about…'

'It is not your place…' Hubert began, but Byleth put up a hand to silence him.

'… I do know, however, that I will not tolerate any lack of respect for one other while you are students under my tutorage.'

There was absolute silence.

Byleth gazed round at all four faces staring back at her.

'Bloody hell…' She swore when nobody responded. 'When it comes down to a mercenary having to give pointers in basic human decency, I can't help but fear for the future.'

'You go too far, Professor.' Edelgard said stiffly.

'I don't know how it is in your fancy noble world, Your Highness.' Byleth continued, 'But in the experience of this base mercenary, understand that any asset that can lower a risk is boon. With the Knight's focused on Rhea, and our suspicion that she isn't actually the target … those of us protecting the rest of the monastery are going to be in danger. Working together is the most sensible way to manage that.'

Edelgard's eyes never left Byleth's. She inclined her head to the Professor slowly. 'You have a valid point, My Teacher.' She said formally.

'I'm not asking you all to hug it out and be the best of friends...' Byleth continued.

'Awww… teach!' Claude smirked.

'… But let's pretend that we can all act like adults and get through whatever happens.' Byleth ended, frowning at Claude, who winked back at her.

'I am fully in agreement.' Dimitri said earnestly. He held out his hand towards Edelgard, who took it expressionlessly and shook it.

'No cuddles?' Claude sighed at Edelgard's scowl. 'Whatever… I'm in with the cool kids anyway.'

'Just one last thing.' Byleth's voice was ice. 'I hear anyone refer to Dedue as a dog again, I am going to kick their arse from here to the ruins of Duscur regardless of who they are. Are we clear?'

'Better tell Felix that.' Dimitri said tightly.

'Oh, I have.' Byleth assured. 'Okay.. so now that's settled… does anyone have any idea what the assassination might be a distraction for?'

'Well, you said it yourself teach.' Claude sat up straight. 'The Knights are going to be run ragged and focused on Rhea, while the rest of the monastery is not only going to be open to all comers; it's going to be far less protected than normal.'

'So if someone wanted to get to somewhere in particular, somewhere they shouldn't be, for whatever reason…' Hubert was stroking his chin thoughtfully.

'Could this be about simple theft?' Dimitri looked skeptical. 'I suppose that bandits might be looking for some form of retaliation for what happened in the Red Canyon.'

'It's far too complex a plan for bandits. They are largely opportunists, and they rarely pick a fight that requires too much effort to win.' Byleth noted. 'Where is it that this religious ritual takes place?'

'The Goddess Tower.' Claude supplied. 'Actually, that means that there will be a load of aerial support too, so I would discount a plan accomplished outside in plain view from the sky.'

'We need to narrow down potential locations and motives.' Edelgard decided. 'It could be theft, or desecration, or even a person not invited to the actual ritual who is a viable assassination target.'

'Um… well, the three of us would likely be on the top of that particular list.' Claude pointed out.

Edelgard's eyes widened. 'Right!' She breathed.

'All the more reason to work together and try and get answers.' Byleth said decisively.

'You know, we never did work out who it was that sent those bandits after the three of us before the start of term.' Dimitri reminded them. 'It could be the same source if the target is us.'

'You are completely obsessed with bandits!' Edelgard muttered in annoyance.

'I suggest you each go and get your housemates working on asking questions and keeping their ear to the ground.' Byleth said quickly before any arguments could spark up again. 'We are fumbling in the dark right now so any rumors or theories are applicable. Maybe something will eventually make sense if we are processing it together.'

'An acceptable plan.' Edelgard nodded.

'We should meet up together again then?' Dimitri asked eagerly.

'By the middle of next week.' Byleth decided. 'See if we have shaken anything loose yet.'

'This will be fun!' Claude grinned.

'You have a rather perverse idea of fun.' Edelgard accused.

Claude stood and bowed to her. 'I've survived enough assassination attempts Your Highness, that I either have to enjoy the game or fall deeply into abject misery. I know which I prefer.'

'Are we having a contest on who has been targeted for the most assassinations?' Dimitri asked casually. 'I'm sure we all have a load of stories to tell.'

'That's the spirit kids!' Byleth encouraged. 'It's good to focus on the things that you have in common rather than those you don't!'

'Yes, indeed.' Hubert agreed ironically. 'People trying to kill you is such a bonding experience after all.'

'I'll remember that when you try to kill me Hubie.' Byleth caught Hubert's eye-roll in her direction and grinned at him.

'Well, let's be about it then. Work to do, people to interrogate and all that.' Claude stood and clapped Dimitri on the shoulder. 'Catch you later, teach!' He added with a wink as he hustled the Prince towards the door.

'We should go and speak to the Eagles.' Edelgard seemed rather eager to leave too.

Byleth only managed to grab a few minutes of peace and quiet before Jeralt and Seteth arrived.

'That was an interesting talk.' Jeralt noted as he threw himself heavily into a chair and eyes his daughter speculatively.

'I'm impressed that the students have worked out that there is something fishy in this whole scenario.' Seteth added, going over to Byleth and gently lifting and tilting her chin to the right and left. 'You are looking a great deal better, my dear.' He smiled.

'Hands off, Seteth.' Jeralt warned grouchily.

Seteth's smile grew a little as he softly thumbed a caress to Byleth's cheek before nonchalantly moving over to a chair and sitting himself down, ignoring Jeralt's growl.

'You were listening in then.' Byleth asked, trying not to grin at her father's annoyance and Seteth's complete lack of concern at riling him.

'We wanted to know what they were thinking.' Jeralt replied, crossing his arms. 'Do you believe you can actually get them working together, lass?'

'Dimitri and Claude will be fine. Edelgard is more problematic, but as long as she feels listened to and respected, she should be alright.' Byleth shrugged. 'She isn't stupid. She will know that it is the best way to go.'

'We are over a barrel in this situation.' Seteth admitted. 'We have to prioritise Rhea's safety. It would be foolish not to and would reflect badly if we were seen not to take appropriate heed of the threat. At least we aren't going into it blind though.'

'It doesn't appear to be the most sophisticated of plots.' Jeralt agreed, 'Which in itself means that the intention may be difficult to determine. Chances are that whatever the real point of it is - it may be so subtle that even after it's happened, it's not obvious.'

'And it could just be a clumsy attempt on Rhea.' Byleth sighed.

Seteth frowned. 'Indeed. Maybe we are all overthinking things.'

'So then, I will be leading the Deer, but I can work with Manuela and Hanneman and get us all coordinated properly on the day?' Byleth was thinking aloud.

'If you discover any potential targets, then we can liaise specifically over those.' Seteth mused. 'Jeralt and I will be looking for the same kind of thing ourselves.'

'Oh, there was that other issue too!' Jeralt remembered suddenly. 'The thieves... in North Faerghus?'

'Right.' Seteth nodded. 'When you are asking around Byleth, we have heard a rumbling about some thieves setting themselves up in a tower to the North. Could you keep your ears open about that too? We have no specifics but since we are shaking the tree, so to speak…'

'You know, it would be nice to have a few weeks without anything to worry about except exams and badly written essays.' Byleth remarked grumpily when they all finally fell into contemplation.

'It would just bore you.' Jeralt grunted. 'You need a bit of excitement in your day. I know you kid.'

'I'm perfectly capable of making my own excitement.' Byleth raised an eyebrow at Seteth. 'Winding up my dad counts a living dangerously. Wanna help?'

Seteth chuckled. 'Sounds like fun!'

'Hey!' Jeralt groaned. 'Just… don't.'