It didn't take a great deal of time for Claude and Dimitri to pull together most of the Lion and Deer students to relay the details of their monthly mission since everyone had been hanging around eagerly in anticipation anyway. They joined up together in the Deer classroom, and somehow, Flayn had gotten herself mixed into the fray and accompanied them too.

'You seriously think that the assassination plot is a distraction?' Ignatz asked meekly once the house-leaders had set out both the mission and the speculation that they had spoken to Byleth about.

'People don't just carry around secret notes, Iggy.' Claude reiterated. 'It was meant to be found. You were there. Didn't you think it was odd?'

'Sorry, I don't think I have a devious enough mind.' Ignatz apologised. 'I just took it at face value. I do see your point, though.'

'I believe our enemy is counting on the Knights having their hands full.' Dimitri said seriously.

'Well yeah, that makes perfect sense.' Hilda agreed. 'Why go to all the bother of facing off against the Church's finest when you can just throw them off on a wild goose chase. I totally admire the beauty of that laziness.'

'But what are they really after?' Lysithea said grumpily. 'I hate puzzles.' She added.

'The obvious answer would be the treasure vaults.' Annette noted. 'There is a load of valuable stuff in the library, and in professor Hanneman's quarters too!'

'Not to mention the weapons.' Felix added. 'There are a few hero's relics and any number of other unique pieces here, so I've heard.'

'Since it is a religious festival, we can't discount a raid on the church's donation money – the gold that the nobles give. It's loads apparently.' Leonie looked thoughtful. 'I have no idea how or where it's given, though.'

'I hope it's not an assault on the kitchens!' Raphael groaned. 'I would hate to see all of the wonderful food stolen.'

'Whatever the motivation is, our prime concern is making sure that everyone is kept safe.' Sylvain pointed out. 'Especially the ladies…'

'We need to put in as much training as we can before the Rite.' Claude noted. 'Even you Hilda! If we do manage to suss the real plot, there is bound to be fighting.'

'I suppose all we can do at the moment is sniff around for rumors or whispers.' Mercedes said calmly. 'It's like looking for a needle in a haystack. As everyone has pointed out, many places could be the target.'

'Getting a feel for the more likely contenders will help.' Dimitri assured.

'Since tomorrow is Sunday, we all have the opportunity to put in some effort and gather some theories.' Marianne spoke up timourously. 'I can talk to the stable staff. They often pick up on information from the people that pass through the yard.'

'You could ask the birds too, Marianne.' Raphael added. 'They might spot something odd as they fly around!'

'Um… what?' Lorenz had been strangely quiet until now. He shook his head despairingly at Raphael. 'This is an odd affair altogether.' He sniffed, addressing the group as a whole. ' Nonetheless, I will be sure to put out feelers and see what I can dig up from my network.'

'Anything is welcome.' Claude encouraged. 'The Professors will be filling us in further on the actual mission and how it will run next week, and if any of you hear anything, let me or Dimitri know. We will be meeting with teach on Wednesday.'

Claude and Dimitri remained in the classroom as the others filed out quietly. Dedue glanced at the Prince to see if his attendance was required, but Dimitri waved him away.

'What are your plans now, Claude?' Dimitri asked once they were alone.

'I have a couple of people I want to speak to specifically.' Claude said. 'What about you?'

'I don't really know.' Dimitri's brow furrowed. 'I fear that I lack the kind of mind required for this type of situation.'

'Are you insinuating that I do have the kind of mind?' Claude queried.

'Definitely.'

Claude chuckled humourlessly. 'I'm not sure if that is a compliment or an insult.' He said lightly.

'It puts you at an advantage.' Dimitri acknowledged. 'You can take it any way you like.'

'Surely you know how this kind of thing works though.' Claude looked interested. 'You have been a crown prince all of your life. I refuse to believe that you have not got a head for politics and intrigue after all this time.'

'I understand the principles.' Dimitri sighed. 'I am just slow on the applications. If I was faster at putting together the facts in front of me, then the devastation of Duscur may never have happened.'

'Whoa, my little princeling. You can't blame yourself for that one. I don't know all of the ins and outs of it, of course, but it seems to me that nobody had a bloody clue what was going down at the time.' Claude wrapped an arm around Dimitri's shoulder. 'You aren't a slouch by any stretch of the imagination. I don't say that lightly either.'

'I just wish I could be a bit more… like you.' Dimitri admitted.

'Be careful what you wish for, Dimi… My awesomeness can be a horrible burden.' Claude grinned at him. '… By which I mean that sometimes I can be just a little bit impulsive, and maybe a tad dismissive.'

'Really, I'd never have noticed.' Dimitri grinned back.

'Could be, we balance each other out, hey?'

'Could be.' Dimitri sighed. 'So tell me what I should be looking out for Claude. What can I bring to this that will be of some value?'

'Well, for one, I think you probably have a much better grasp on church politics… and you are a far better choice for speaking with churchy people than me. They seem to find me offensive for some reason, I can't think why!' Claude laughed.

'That's true.' Dimitri's enthusiasm rose. 'There is some benefit to be being seen as such a good boy after all.' He smirked.

'You are a good boy.' Claude pinched the Prince's cheek playfully. 'I do reckon there is a dark side though, and that it would be quite a sight to behold.'

'Perhaps.' Dimitri murmured uncomfortably.

'So then, my fine friend. You go and speak to the saints and I will go and speak to the sinners.' Claude declared.

'Sounds like a plan.' Dimitri agreed.

'After some dinner though. I can't sin on an empty stomach.'

'Let's go grab something.' Dimitri chuckled, leading the way out of the classroom.

~0~

Byleth was woken suddenly by a thin shaft of light that marked the opening of the infirmary door, long after the curfew bell had tolled.

'I know you're there, Jeritza.' Byleth sighed into the darkness, where she could just about see the indistinct shape of the weapons-master looming by the entrance.

'How did you know it was me?' Jeritza's slow, dolorous tone was so quiet that Byleth had to strain to hear him.

'I was half expecting you to visit.' Byleth sat up in her bed and shuffled backwards, so she was propped up on the pillows at the bedhead, her arms around her knees. 'I figured it would be a late-night call… but seriously, this is really late!'

'I had to wait for Seteth to take himself off to bed.' Jeritza moved forward silently. 'He rarely abandons his office until this sort of hour.'

'Probably a wise move.' Byleth agreed.

'I don't see how you anticipated my visit, though. I only came because Colin made it clear that he was desperate to see you.' Jeritza put the kitten he was carrying on the end of the bed and then perched himself down awkwardly.

'Ah, so it's Colin that must take the blame…'

'Obviously.' Jeritza agreed.

Byleth reached out her hand for the cat who did actually seem pleased to see her as he headbutted her knees and then tried to crawl up onto her chest. The thin nightclothes Byleth was wearing did nothing to protect her from his razor claws, unfortunately. She continued to fuss his fuzzy face while she waited for Jeritza to speak again. The silence stretched out, but she was determined not to be the one to fill it.

'You have finally woken up then…' Jeritza noted weakly.

'Damn… There are literally so many sarcastic responses to that rather obvious statement, Jeritza. I can't even be bothered to choose one.' Byleth groaned.

'I am not good with… words. Or people. Or small talk.' Jeritza admitted sadly.

'Neither am I.' Byleth pointed out stoically. 'Why not just say whatever it is you actually came to say?' She suggested.

'Hmph… Well, since you seem to anticipate my motives so well, do I even need to bother speaking?' He asked, sourly.

'Jeritza…' Byleth admonished. 'It's fine. Just talk to me.'

'Alright then…' He paused for a second. 'Are you… okay now?'

'I'm still a bit worn out, but aside from that…'

'You don't have a heartbeat!' Jeritza accused her unexpectedly, getting to his point rather abruptly. 'You… you really are a demon, aren't you?'

Byleth sighed and reached for the lamp on the side table and lit it up. Jeritza was at the opposite end of her bed, his pose mirroring hers, and he had no mask on to obscure his features. He blinked in surprise at the sudden light.

'Did Mercedes tell you about my heart?' Byleth asked him, picking up Colin and cuddling him to her chest defensively.

'No…' Jeritza's intense scrutiny was almost unbearable. 'When I am… "him" and not myself, all of my senses are heightened to an alarming degree. He can quite literally smell people's fear, taste their blood as it falls, and hear the beat of an opponent's heart until it finally stutters into silence.

'But not mine.'

'No, there was none at all from you, and it amused him.' Jeritza's look was curious now. 'Are you human?' He asked, speculatively.

'Probably.' Byleth shrugged. 'My lack of a beat is likely related to my crest in some way, although in honesty, it's just a theory.'

'It's not that it matters.' Jeritza assured her. 'It is just another of many odd things about you…' He was peering at her chest in fascination.

'Do you… want to feel it?' Byleth asked, blushing under his scrutiny.

'How could I possibly feel something that isn't there?' He asked in surprise. 'That makes absolutely no sense at all!'

'Oh!' Byleth nodded vigorously. 'That is an excellent point. Mostly when others find out, they immediately wanted to check for themselves!'

'People are generally stupid.' Jeritza noted sagely, continuing to stare. 'You do have a pulse, though?' He added. 'I am sure that I have felt one on you before.'

'Now, you can feel that!' Byleth offered her upturned wrist to him. He shuffled forward a small way and lightly touched two fingers to it. He nodded at the pulse.

'It could be said that you are dead and yet also alive.' He decided.

'Nice… so like a vampire but without all of the bloodsucking nonsense?'

'More like a reanimated corpse.' There was a tiny teasing smile playing at his lips. 'Based on your level of smelliness…'

'Hey!'

'Heh...' Jeritza moved away, retaking his position at the far end of the bed. His demeanor seemed to shift again and he appeared to tense up as his mind moved on to his next thoughts. 'Byleth…' He sounded nervous. 'When we fought those archers together, I was… not myself… did it bother you?'

'I haven't really considered it.' She replied carefully, stroking at Colin's belly. 'I was distracted by what was going on and focused on the fight. I guess you were different, but I wasn't unduly concerned about it.'

Jeritza visibly relaxed. 'There are not many people who have met him and still live.' He admitted.

'Lucky me then.'

'Indeed. Your skill has not been overestimated. You were impressive, both to him… and to me.' Jeritza stood abruptly and fidgeted slightly. 'I should go now. I believe I have said all I have to say.'

'Okay…' Byleth agreed, bemused by his constantly shifting manner and thought process. 'Will you take Colin with you?'

'Of course. He is very good company.' Jeritza nodded. He paused again for a second. 'I acquired a chess set.' He said randomly. 'I have left it in your room since I don't have a table in mine. We will play. Soon.'

'You will have to teach me.' Byleth reminded him. 'Speaking of which, I hear you have been standing in for me teaching the Eagles.'

That raised a genuine scowl. 'You need to get back as soon as possible.' Jeritza demanded. 'The small purple-haired girl keeps fainting when I try to speak to her, it is most disagreeable.'

'Poor Jeritza.' Byleth chuckled at his aggrieved look. 'I really hope to be back in class on Monday.'

'Allowing yourself to be hurt has been a burden on many people.' Jeritza accused as he scooped up Colin and began moving towards the door.

'How very selfish of me...'

'Damn it, I nearly forgot...!' Jeritza transferred the squirming kitten to his other hand and reached into his pocket to bring out a very crushed red flower. 'I understand it is traditional to bring a bloom to cheer up a person who is sick.' He shrugged. 'For you! Please get better soon.'

'Um… Thanks.' Byleth took the limp and wilted flower. 'That's very kind of you.'

'I know.' Jeritza agreed as he left the room.