December: The Rhodos Coast

Rhea broke down in tears. "Mother. Oh Mother . . . how much I missed you!"

Sothis hugged her daughter. "I will stay here in Garreg Mach until you gather all of the Heroes' Relics and I can reclaim all of my children's bodies."

Annette suggested, "I can go to my uncle and get Crusher for you!"

Gustave said, "If I go with you, we can even visit Margrave Gautier and Lord Fraldarius and collect their relics as well. I have some things I want to say to you, Annette."

Annette broke eye contact. "I have nothing to say to you. You abandoned me and Mother. I was so lonely and heartbroken."

Gustave stated, "I wish to talk about that in great length."

The two left in silence, but Annette's posture relaxed a bit.

Sothis spoke, "Now I must tell you of the evil. Worshippers of the evil have captured Ferdinand and are holding him at a secluded tower near the Rhodos Coast."

Dorothea solemnly nodded. "We have to save him at once. Come on, everyone."

Cichol butted in, "Lady Rhea, Cethleann, Catherine, and I will stay behind with Sothis. The rest of you, please save the Emperor."

Byleth addressed everyone, "I'll lead the way. Let's go."

As they marched, they filled each other in on the various worlds and the events that took place in them. When night fell and it was time to make camp and settle down for the evening, Bernadetta tugged on Dorothea's arm. "Dorothea, can I ask you something embarrassing?"

Dorothea nodded. "Of course."

Bernadetta whispered, "I'm scared of all the new people, but I can't hide in my room. My heart is pounding and whenever I talk my voice gets really squeaky. I know I won't be able to fall asleep. Can I sleep in your bed? It'll be easier to sleep when I'm with a friend."

Dorothea embraced her. "Definitely, Bernie! I'm always here for you if you need me. I'm always happy to share a spot in my bed for you if you have a panic attack and can't be by yourself."

Bernadetta breathed a sigh of relief. "Thanks. I think you're my best friend. Even my sisters look at me funny if I ask them that."

Dorothea and Bernadetta combined their twig bed together and laid down next to each other. Bernadetta clung onto Dorothea while the songstress relaxed.

Owain shoved bear meat into his mouth. "Mmm. I am honored to consume this magnificent beast."

Cynthia made a face. "Gross! I never liked bear. I guess I take after Aunt Lissa that way."

Ophelia tentatively took a bite. "My tongue! It burns with the inner flames of the violent creature we took life from!"

Silas scarfed down his portion without any difficulty. "Eat up, Sophie. Bear's good for you."

Sophie's hands shook as she ate a small morsel. "Eh. Not too bad, but it's not my favorite."

Bernadetta murmured, "Dorothea, there's so many of them . . . I know they're the other heroes . . . but it's so terrifying."

Dorothea consoled, "Now, now. I'm sure they'll become our new friends soon enough."

Shiro approached the resting women. "Did I hear you right when you said you wanted to make friends with us? I'm Shiro, the High Prince of Hoshido. Who are you?"

Bernadetta squeaked, "Aah! I don't talk to strangers!"

Dorothea introduced, "I'm Dorothea, the Mystical Songstress, and this is Lady Bernadetta von Varley of the Adrestian Empire."

Shiro leaned in. "Oh, is she the princess and not allowed to talk to outsiders?"

Dorothea corrected, "No, she's going to be a countess. She's just shy."

Shiro took it in stride. "Oh, okay. Well, I guess I'll have to befriend you in order for you to get comfortable around me. I'll tell you about myself. My father Ryoma is the King, or the Big Cheese, if you will. My mother Orochi was a noblewoman who served his stepmother before marrying. What's your family like?"

Bernadetta lamented, "Of all the questions he had to ask . . ."

Dorothea curtly replied, "Both of our fathers are terrible people."

Shiro backed away from them a little. "Whoa! Sorry. I forgot that's a touchy subject. What do you like to talk about?"

Bernadetta eagerly supplied, "Carnivorous plants!"

Shiro had no answer for that. "Uh . . . I don't know a whole lot about man-eating plants. But my girl knows everything. Hey Caeldori!"

Caeldori wandered over. "What is it?"

Shiro pointed to the girls. "These are our new friends Bernadetta and Dorothea. Bernadetta likes carnivorous plants. I thought you might share some facts on them."

Caeldori blushed. "As it so happens, I dabble a bit in herbology." She listed off different types of flesh-eating plants until Bernadetta at last fell asleep.

During the rest of the three-day march, Bernadetta started chatting more with Shiro and Caeldori, much to Dorothea's delight.

At noon, they reached the tower. Claude declared, "Alright everyone; it's time to save Ferdinand. We have to be careful. There's a life at stake here." There were quiet cheers as the group slowly crept up to the stronghold.

There were a few scouts that aimed their bows at Bernadetta and Ophelia, but Owain jumped in front and took the blow. "Ha! 'Tis nothing but a cut."

Severa sprinted up to enemies and sliced them open with her sword. "Hmph. That's what you get."

The team rushed inside and climbed the steps to the top until they hit a group of enemies. A mage spat out, "It's that woman who was with the Emperor! How did you survive? I made sure you were covered in a pool of your own blood."

Dorothea answered, "Not as skilled as you thought you were, eh?"

Linhardt yawned. "You didn't anticipate that a healer might be around? In a city like Enbarr, there's probably at least three in every neighborhood."

The mage fumed, "I'll have to correct my mistake by ending your pathetic lives! Long live Master Grima! A gory death to all who oppose him!"