Byleth had arranged the meeting of the heads of houses to happen just after the evening meal so that they might all be full and sated and hopefully less inclined to bicker. That was the plan anyway. Also, since she was sure that nothing would prevent Hubert from accompanying Edelgard, she asked Dimitri and Claude to bring along back-up as well, and she had persuaded an attendant of her own to join them to keep all things on an equal footing.

Arriving early to the Black Eagle classroom, Byleth pushed together the two desks nearest the blackboard and arranged chairs equally around it, then set out tea and coffee and put two kettles to boil on the huge hearth that warmed the large room. Then she waited. Anxiously.

Unsurprisingly Edelgard and Hubert were the first to join her, just a little before the appointed time. They swept in silently, although Edelgard did nod her head towards the Professor in acknowledgment. Hubert was carrying a large stack of papers that he was gripping onto tightly and had a small scowl on his austere face. Prince Dimitri arrived next, followed closely by Dedue. Dimitri bowed deeply to everyone assembled before taking his seat, and Dedue hovered as if he were planning to stand behind Dimitri's chair. Byleth caught the large man's eye discreetly and motioned that he sit. Dedue looked uncomfortable but did as he was bid.

A heavy silence settled that Byleth didn't even try to break. There was likely going to be plenty of that later. Claude, when he finally turned up, a few minutes late, was accompanied by Myles.

'Hey, guys!' Claude ambled up the room with a grin. 'Sorry we're late. Myles here has been down in the village reuniting Ashe with his siblings.'

'How did it go?' Dimitri asked.

Myles smiled broadly. 'It was great, Prince Dimitri. The kids arrived safe and sound, and they are cute as buttons. My ma is completely made up to have little ones around the house again!'

'Not wanting to be rude...' Edelgard cut in, 'But, why exactly is he here?' She was facing Claude but was quite obviously talking about the gatekeeper.

'Simple, Your Highness. Myles has been an absolute font of information about guarding the Monastery, so his input here is hugely relevant, I'd say.' Claude explained.

'I see.' Edelgard replied dismissively. 'Can we begin?' She turned to Byleth.

'I am still awaiting someone myself.' Byleth murmured. 'He won't be long.'

Edelgard sucked in an annoyed breath. 'I hope not.' She chided. 'I do have important things that need to be attended aside from this, you know.'

'Don't get your knickers in a twist, girl!' Jeralt called out amiably as he let himself in. 'This shouldn't take that long, I reckon.'

'I would be grateful if you would address Her Highness appropriately.' Hubert complained bravely. Jeralt boomed out a laugh.

'Apologies!' He bowed to Edelgard. 'Please forgive my poor manners yer Ladyship. I am but a simple man, more used to speaking with my sword than my tongue.' His hand rested lightly on the pommel of his weapon.

'Sit down da and stop making trouble already.' Byleth kicked a chair out in his direction. He grinned at her and sat down.

'Okay, so does anyone have anything to report?' Byleth opened a notepad and took up her quill. 'Edelgard, would you like to begin?'

Hubert stood and flicked through the papers that he had brought with him.

'There are as many theories as to what is behind this attempt on Lady Rhea as there are people residing here.' He said dryly. 'That is to say that despite being inundated with potential scenarios, it has been difficult to pin down anything that is a firm lead.'

'So basically, you have found nothing?' Claude said lightly.

'I have here a number of synopsises. I have provided a copy for everyone.' Hubert went on, ignoring Claude. 'Most people appear to believe the threat on Rhea is negligible, given the protection that there is in place, even though the Monastery will be fully open on the day of the Rite of Rebirth. People are generally calm and unpanicked by the issue.' He handed round the papers that he had transcribed for everyone. There was silence as the notes were read through.

'It seems that this covers many of the same potential targets that we came up with ourselves.' Dimitri said, finally. 'The treasury, the weapons store, and the library being the most popular places that are likely to have something stolen from them.'

'Each of those places are actually the least likely.' Myles spoke up. 'The library will be closed down for the day, and guards are being posted expressly to that area, which means it's actually better protected than normal. The treasury is pretty much impregnable; it has mechanical locks, and the security for it remains exactly the same as at any other time. The weapons that are held here aren't worth much more than in any other armory in the country.'

'I've heard tell that there are special weapons...' Claude murmured.

'If there are, they aren't common knowledge, and their security doesn't come under the remit of the Monastery guard unit.' Myles replied doubtfully.

'The Knights don't look after any special weapons either.' Jeralt grunted. 'While it is likely they do exist, the secretive nature of this place means location would be impossible to be bribed out of just anybody. I'd imagine only a very select few would know anything.'

'Do you have anything to add Dimitri?' Byleth turned to the Prince next.

'I have spoken with the clergy.' Dimitri told them. 'They are generally a tight-lipped group, but I have been able to glean that the majority of the people that attend the Monastery for the Rite of Rebirth are fellow ecclesiastical types and specifically invited nobles. Aside from that, the numbers come from local villages or people on pilgrimage.'

'Not particularly useful information.' Edelgard muttered.

'Oh... just you wait, Princess!' Claude smirked. 'Go on Dimi, tell them the next bit!'

Dimitri flushed at the attention. 'Right!' He agreed. 'Well, the thing with the devout attending is that they usually arrive early.'

'And...?' Edelgard sounded bored.

'It's Saint Cethleann's day on Saturday.' Dimitri continued. 'Most will actually arrive in the area to attend that celebration and then stay locally for the Rite itself, which is two weeks later. Although most don't reside at the Monastery, they will be back and forth regularly for services and study. It gives us two weeks to familiarise ourselves with many of the unknown faces that will be here on the day proposed for the attack.'

'Bloody hell!' Jeralt breathed. 'I don't think Seteth has put that together yet. That could be really helpful!'

'Well done, Dimitri!' Byleth smiled at the Prince, who blushed even harder.

'Getting an idea of who these people are and any potential issues they may have would cut our work significantly.' Hubert mused thoughtfully. 'Are people generally noted as they arrive? Could they be made to sign in at the gatehouse as an extra precaution?'

'There are issues around the church being free to access by all.' Jeralt raised a brow. 'Given the unusual circumstances, however, I believe that would be a valid idea and could easily be instigated until after the Rite.'

'I would appreciate a copy of the list if one becomes available.' Hubert added. Jeralt nodded at him.

'We will be using Saint Cethleann's day as a bit of a training session.' Jeralt continued. 'Rhea will be leading the celebration, so the Knights are going to mobilize and practice maneuvers. Should be fun.'

'Poor Flayn.' Myles said quietly. 'It's her birthday on the same day!' He explained. 'It will be a bit mental this year, I guess.'

'Oh!' Byleth exclaimed. I didn't know!'

'Hey... I hope you all remembered it's my birthday on the twenty-fourth!' Claude grinned. 'I'm expecting big things!'

'It's the two of your's birthday on the twentieth as well.' Jeralt told Byleth with a smile. 'So Myles tells me anyhow... Fancy me having kids who will be twenty-one!' He shook his head, disbelievingly.

'Dad!' Byleth exclaimed and then sighed.

'Excuse me?' Edelgard was looking between Myles and Byleth in confusion.

'Oh... crap.' Jeralt swore.

'Interesting.' Hubert's voice was cold. 'Now that you have spoken, I do note that thereappears to bea distinct family likeness between Sir Jeralt and the gatekeeper. How very odd. Do you not agree, Lady Edelgard?' His eyes were fixed on Byleth, who was refusing to look at him.

'Guess the cat's out of the bag.' Jeralt grumbled. 'What?' He shot at Byleth, who was scowling at him. 'You didn't tell me Myles was going to be here too... and unhelmed.'

'I didn't know!' Byleth swung her head to look at Claude, who raised his hands.

'Woah teach! You said I could bring someone along.' Claude complained. 'It made sense to bring Myles. Don't blame me. It wasn't me that gave up your weird twin-sibling secret!'

'You knew?' Edelgard's eyes shot daggers at Claude.

'Calm down, everyone!' Myles was grinning. 'It's no big deal... in fact, if it were to actually become general knowledge, maybe I wouldn't have to wear the huge stupid helm anymore!'

Jeralt started to chuckle. 'Meh, you're right, lad. People have better things to gossip about at the moment than how I managed to leave behind one of my kids when I left the Monastery!'

'Why did you, Sir, if you don't mind me asking?' Dimitri asked respectfully, his eyes wide as saucers.

'I didn't actually know I had a son. He'd been handed to a wet-nurse, and the focus was on Byleth since she barely survived her birth.' Jeralt shrugged. 'Things were pretty confused at the time.'

'You do realise that people think he is your lover?' Edelgard said pointedly to Byleth. 'It was an obvious conclusion, given the amount of time you two have been observed together.'

'Awkward!' Myles smiled at Byleth. 'That's another good thing that can be resolved, sis!'

'Right, 'cause it's not like I'd ever fancy a mug like yours.' Byleth grouched back. 'Can't have done my reputation any good at all!'

'Hey! He looks just like me!' Jeralt complained. 'A handsome and dashing devil!'

'Interesting family...' Hubert remarked quietly.

'We are wasting time. This is hardly important.' Byleth groaned. 'Claude, do you have anything additional to report?'

'I do, obviously.' Claude looked exceptionally pleased with himself. 'Ignatz, Marianne and Bernie banded together and came up with a grand idea which the Deer and I have been looking into and information gathering.'

'Which is?'

'It was their thought to gather information on where is heavily guarded at the moment, and then we cross-referenced that with Myles to see if anywhere would be less guarded than normal on the day of the rite.' Claude lounged back in his chair happily. 'There was one place that stuck out like a sore thumb.' He added.

'Although it being a target of any kind makes no sense whatsoever.' Myles added.

'Do any of you know what is considered to be the holiest place here at the Monastery?' Claude asked.

'The Cathedral?' Edelgard seemed drawn in despite herself.

'You'd think so, right?' Claude agreed. 'Actually, the center of the faith here is considered to be the Holy Mausoleum.'

'Where now?' Edelgard asked in confusion.

'It's the tomb of the Goddess.' Myles explained helpfully.

'Oh! How morbid!' Sothis moaned.

'Well, I've never been there.' Edelgard sniffed. 'Not even heard of it.' Dimitri nodded his agreement too.

'It's only opened on the day of the Rite.' Jeralt said thoughtfully. 'It is kept locked up at all other times. To be honest, there isn't really anything there.'

'Just a stone sarcophagus,' Myles agreed. 'It's said to hold the remains of the Goddess herself. The coffin itself is magically sealed, and the Mausoleum has one of those fancy-arsed locking mechanisms, but I suppose if someone wanted to try and make away with the holiest of relic's...'

'It's not guarded?' Dimitri asked incredulously.

'Not particularly.' Jeralt supplied. 'The Rite actually starts in there, Rhea and the Clergy offer prayers at the tomb before parading to the Goddess Tower to perform the ritual.'

'Actually, I have heard of the place.' Dedue suddenly spoke, albeit quietly. 'The gardener's have been talking about the floral arrangements that they are required to provide for the tomb. It will be quite a large job for them. They say that normally they only have to provide a single posy once a week for when Lady Rhea visit's to offer her respects.'

'I didn't know Rhea visited it regularly.' Jeralt grunted. 'I'll be honest, I didn't really believe that anything was actually held there, given the fact it is hardly even heard of.'

'There is often a few of the clergy that hangs around in the mausoleum after the main party has headed to the Goddess tower.' Myles said thoughtfully. 'Space is limited in the tower so those that have not been expressly invited to attend either stay by the tomb or go to the Cathedral while the Rite takes place. That's largely why it isn't locked up directly after that part of the formalities are concluded.'

'It's definitely worth considering as a target. It is an anomaly.' Byleth decided.

'We also have to take seriously the potential that you three are targets.' Jeralt said to the house leaders gruffly. 'That is why it has been decided that you will be attending the full ritual. Then you will be under the provision of the Knight's just the same as Rhea is.'

There was a burst of protest at that announcement just as Byleth had expected there would be. Jeralt put up his hand calmly to quieten them.

'This is not open for negotiation.' He said firmly. 'Lady Rhea, Seteth, and all of the Professors are in full agreement that it is the best course of action. We cannot risk you any more than we can risk Rhea.'

'Which leads to the final thing we need to discuss.' Byleth added. 'Leonie mentioned to my Da that there have been rumors down in the village of a Black Knight wielding a scythe being seen in the streets after dark. Since a similar figure was responsible for the murder of the bandit leader in the Red Canyon, we are taking these sightings seriously.'

'Extra guards are on rota after darkness on-site and Knights are sweeping the local villages after dark too.' Jeralt relayed. 'Since there will be an influx of people from Saturday, we need to make sure that everyone is wary and mindful. Students are going to be requested not to leave their rooms after the final bell and to move around in pairs even during the day.'

'That seems a bit much.' Dimitri stated. 'Do you really believe there could be danger?'

'I'd rather not run any risks.' Jeralt replied.

'Understandable.' Edelgard admitted. 'I will make sure that the Eagles are aware.'

'Yes. I will pass on the information, too.' Dimitri agreed.

'We should all still be keeping our eyes open through and reporting anything suspicious, right?' Claude asked.

'Obviously.' Byleth approved. 'I think all of your hard work has given us a great deal to think about.'

'A lot more to discuss too.' Hubert said quietly.

'Well, I'm done for today.' Jeralt stood up. 'Keep up the good work, kids!'

'I have to get some food.' Myles stood too. 'You know where to find me if you need me, sis.' He added to Byleth.

'That will take some getting used to.' Dimitri was shaking his head as he and Dedue gathered their things and followed after Myles out of the classroom. Claude winked at Byleth and ran to catch up with Dimitri.

Byleth stood and started to tidy up the classroom, realising that she hadn't even made everyone tea. Edelgard and Hubert were still sat at the table as if waiting for something.

'Was there anything else?' Byleth asked resignedly.

'I admit I am rather confounded by the fact that Claude was aware of your family relationship to the gatekeeper, and yet you had failed to mention the fact to your own house leader.' Edelgard sniffed.

'Is that so?' Byleth sat down again, her face expressionless. 'Tell me Lady Edelgard, have you told me all about yourself? Do you not keep any secrets at all from your house Professor?'

'I... It's hardly the same thing!' Edelgard snorted in a very unladylike manner.

'Why? Because you are a Princess, and I am a commoner?' Byleth pushed.

'My secrets are mostly secrets of the State.' Edelgard declared.

'But not all I'd wager.' Byleth sighed. 'Look. This was not just a secret that related to me. It affected my father and my brother too. I also believe that whether you were aware or not made no difference at all to anything.'

'I see.' Edelgard rose. 'I guess I am just disappointed.'

Byleth shrugged.

'Goodnight, Professor.' Edelgard murmured as she left. Hubert went to follow, but when her back turned, he paused to place a hand on Byleth's shoulder and squeeze it.

Byleth watched them leave in consternation.

'I couldn't see his face.' She muttered to Sothis. 'I'm not sure whether that squeeze was reassurance or a warning.'

'Knowing him, probably both.' Sothis replied sourly.