The travelling students were just passing the village closest to the Monastery and were less than an hour out from their destination when they were quietly and unexpectedly joined by Claude. He slipped into their ranks entirely unnoticed right up until he moved forward to the front where Jeralt was leading alongside Balthus.

"Captain Jeralt…" Claude called out once he had manoeuvred himself into the man's hearing range. "Could I have a quick word with you all before you proceed any further? Your daughter implored me to make sure you were all appraised of what's been happening in your absence - before you enter the fray." He added, his tone uncommonly polite for the Golden Deer leader.

Jeralt turned sharply, his brow furrowing when he spotted the speaker. He pulled on his reigns to bring his horse up short – putting up a hand to quell the sudden loud chatter that erupted from the students.

"News?" He barked as the riding column came to an abrupt halt, and Claude found himself surrounded by anxious and eager faces.

"Yes." Claude jumped down from his mount and rested on its flank, gathering his words for a moment, considering where to begin. "Flayn was recovered yesterday - found in an unknown complex beneath the Monastery." He finally reported quietly. "She was unconscious when she was discovered and has not yet woken up, although the word that Rhea sent out this morning is that she is stable."

"Thank fuck for that." Jeralt's expression was still troubled, but his sentiments were matched by a general murmur that ran through the others. Myles pushed his way to Claude's side.

"Had she been hurt, or was she just drugged or some such?" He asked urgently.

Claude shrugged carefully. "There has been very little information given out in the time since she was found." He admitted, speaking honestly – the declaration that Rhea had made that morning had been exceptionally scant on any real details. Claude's eyes narrowed, and he put a hand on Myles's shoulder. "I was asked to warn you, however, that as we understand it - the Knight's of Serios have not yet been redacted from arresting you on sight, Myles… Seteth did not make it common knowledge that you were not involved in Flayn's disappearance."

"They can kiss my fucking arse before I will allow that." Jeralt burst out angrily.

"Exactly how Teach figured you would react." Claude smiled slightly. "It would likely be a good idea for Myles just to stay out of sight until the dust has settled, and a proper redaction is made." He agreed. "Obviously, Seteth and Rhea have been mainly concerned with Flayn's wellbeing, so I am sure it is merely an oversight… but it may cause some bad feeling and contention if an arrest was attempted – and nobody needs that right now."

"Good thinking, von Riegan," Jeralt said gruffly. "Hmm, so what are we going to do with you then, lad?" He pondered, looking at his son, thoughtfully.

"Figure that I can maybe help you out in this situation, pal." It was Balthus that spoke up, a trademark grin on his face. "Happen's that there might be a way into Abyss that don't require going through the Monastery." The brawler waggled his eyebrows cheekily. "I don't mind slipping him in and providing a bit of underground hospitality until the shit-show's blown over." His grin broadened. "Abyss is a sanctuary after all!" He decreed with mock piety.

"I want to see Flayn!" Myles shook his head stubbornly.

"Bloody hell, Myles – it isn't like you'd be able to see her from the inside of a prison cell either." Jeralt pointed out hotly.

"There are a few other things to think on too…" Claude added mildly. "Teach…"

"Fuck!" Jeralt exclaimed loudly, rubbing at his suddenly aching head and genuinely pissed that he'd not even thought to ask about her wellbeing yet. "Is she alright? Was she there when Flayn was found?" His anxiety ramped up a notch at the odd expression on Claude's face.

The archer nodded seriously. "Yeah, Teach was the one who located Flayn just as Seteth said she would be able to. As soon as she came round from your mission, she spent a couple of days searching – dressed as a nun actually – and then honed in straight to where Flayn was as soon as she got into range." He paused, then sighed. "There was an unexpected complication, however." He admitted slowly. "The Death Knight turned up just as Flayn was located – he stabbed Manuela, although thankfully she is going to make a full recovery – and then he attacked Teach in an attempt to prevent her from getting to Flayn."

Myles let out a deep hiss of surprise, his face paling while Jeralt's eyes went wide.

"Fuck!" Jeralt's concern was palpable. "My girl… she's … okay?" he asked urgently.

Claude nodded quickly. "Physically, she took a bit of damage, but nothing of particular note." He reassured. "Emotionally…" his eyes met Myles's stricken ones for a second. "Well… it turns out that the Death Knight is actually Jeritza."

There was a momentary stunned silence, and then it seemed as if everyone was talking at once, with Jeralt's colourful and expressive language easily rising above the rest.

"I will fucking kill him," Jeralt swore angrily. "Unless Byleth's already done the job…" He amended harshly. "What happened?" He demanded.

"Seteth, Rhea and the Knight's turned up as they were fighting," Claude replied. "Jeritza must have realised that he was outnumbered, and he used that portalling device of his to make an escape." He didn't mention that the Death Knight had left at Byleth's insistence. That was information that he deemed should be privately divulged. Once again, talking broke out.

"Enough!" Jeralt bellowed over the hullabaloo. "Is that everything von Riegan?" He asked, raising a brow at the archer. Claude nodded. "Alright. We will move on then. Balthus, if you can take charge of Myles from here, please." He added to the brawler.

"Sure thing, Captain." Balthus glanced at Myles. "You ain't planning on giving me any problems, are you?" He asked lightly. "I'd hate to have to knock you out to comply with the Captain's wishes."

Myles was still looking shellshocked. He shook his head. "I'll come with you." He murmured before sending his father a look. "You will keep me appraised as to what's going on?" He asked meekly. "How Flayn and Byleth are?"

Jeralt nodded curtly. "Can't leave the bloody Monastery for five fucking minutes without all hell breaking loose." He griped, waving Balthus and Myles away and beckoning Claude to join him at the head of the procession. "Alright, kids, we are leaving now. Keep your chatter to a minimum, please."

Silence fell instantly, the grim look on the Captain's face immediately repressing anyone's inclination to disobey.

As soon as they were moving again, Jeralt nudged his horse in as close as he could to Claude's side.

"I want the entire story von Riegan. I can tell there's a fair bit that you were holding back. I assume I don't have to beat it out of you." Jeralt's voice was quiet, menacing.

"You don't, sir." Claude swallowed heavily. "Teach insisted I tell you everything before you got back. I guess you are aware that she was romantically involved with Jeritza…" Claude looked uncomfortable – this kind of conversation was definitely not one he wanted to be having with Jeralt of all people.

Jeralt grunted, his eyes fixed firmly ahead and a heavy frown marking his brow.

"Right…" Claude gulped. "Well, it seems that Teach was actually aware that Jeritza was the Death Knight, has been since he turned up at the Mausoleum, and there was all that deal with the Sword of the Creator."

Jeralt was making some odd strangling noises, his face red. He didn't actually comment, however."

"Um… and it turns out that Myles knew too." Claude was beginning to wish that a pit would open up in front of his horse that he could just disappear down.

"He did, did he," Jeralt said blankly.

"There is no way that Jeritza or the Death Knight had anything to do with Flayn's disappearance, though. His aid in the entire situation was a risk to his secret, and logistically its entirely impossible…" Claude added hastily. "He does spuriously work for the people who were behind grabbing Flayn – but they can activate the Death Knight personality regardless of Jeritza's wishes. Normally he is the one very much in control – and able to largely repress the alter that they fixed in him." Claude shrugged. "He isn't the most personable of people, but Teach insists that he kept himself aloof in order to maintain his control."

"Well, bully for him." Jeralt reposed bitterly. "What's your point, Claude?"

"I don't reckon that Seteth will be able to refute that Jeritza himself was innocent in this whole rigmarole, just as ignorant to the plot as Myles was – both have been singled out to have Flayn's abduction placed on them instead of the real instigators – but I do think that there may be issues if it becomes known that Byleth and Myles were aware of who Jeritza was."

"Yeah." Jeralt agreed shortly. "I have a fucking issue with it for a start."

"Right." Claude swallowed hard. "But you aren't likely to insist on any kind of punishment beyond a good talking to…" Claude stated blandly. "I'm not sure where Seteth or Rhea, for that matter, are gonna stand on that issue."

Jeralt felt his heart sink, although his face remained stalwartly grim.

"Is Byleth keeping to her room at the moment?" He asked through gritted teeth. "I do hope she isn't stupid enough to be putting her face about like an idiot?"

"Actually, she spent last night with Mercedes," Claude advised him. "Not only could Mercie keep an eye on her wounds, but it turns out that she is Jeritza's half-sister…"

"Plot bloody thickens," Jeralt mumbled grumpily, then sighed. "Well, I guess we can only step up and see how this goes. If the worst comes to the worst, I'm gonna be grabbing my kids and getting the hell outta here. Not actually convinced that wouldn't be for the best even if this even's itself out."

Claude stayed silent. There really wasn't much to say to that.

Jeralt sent a look over to his companion. "Thanks for the heads-up lad, it is appreciated, even if I am a surly bastard right now."

"Totally understandable," Claude noted, shrinking down inside his cloak miserably as rain started to drizzle down. "Just gonna have to wait and see how the chips fall…" he murmured.

~0~

Myles was silent as he followed alongside Balthus into some densely covered woodland. It was fine, though, since the brawler was more than happy to fill the void with his own cheerful voice.

"You could knock me down with a fucking feather!" Balthus was currently declaring expressively. "Jeritza being the Death Knight. Didn't see that one coming at all." He grinned broadly and waggled his eyebrows at Myles cheekily. "Honest word, pal – I'm still reeling at just how handsome the bastard is underneath that dumbarsed mask he wore. Fuck me – when you guys strode into camp… my old eyes popped near outta my head at his unexpected beauty." Balthus began to chuckle. "I mean, it's been hard not to notice his silky skills with a sword before now - the man moves like a feline, all agility and grace – but that he can wield the Death-Knight's huge fucking scythe from the back of a damned horse as well? That is properly impressive…"

"Thank you. I think." Jeritza stepped out in front of them from behind the trunk of a massive oak, a raging blush ruining the potency of the scowl on his face.

"Hey, you're welcome, sweet-cheeks!" Balthus smirked, winking at the man lecherously, which only caused Jeritza's fluster to increase.

"Are you alright?" Myles was down from his mount and approaching Jeritza cautiously, finally reaching out a hand to grasp his shoulder.

"I am myself at the moment, yes – and I am not hurt." Jeritza intoned – focusing on Myles and ignoring the brawler who was still staring at him with a huge, shit-eating grin plastered to his face. "I was hoping I might get a chance to have a word with you before you returned to…" His sad eyes looked up at the Monastery that loomed above them in the near distance. "It is not wise for me to return to the grounds myself. I have no desire to be the cause of any further problems for Byleth or yourself."

"Have you seen By yet? Since you've ahh… been yourself again?" Myles looked pained. "You must know that none of us believes you had anything to do with Flayn's abduction, right?"

Jeritza shook his head firmly. "I have not seen Byleth. I think it would be unwise to approach her, even if I were sure that we would not be observed." He said firmly. "She has a way of persuading me that my paranoia is misplaced… and it is not. She is far better off, forgetting that I exist." He said stoically. "I was hoping that you would explain that to her." He added to Myles.

"Urgh… rather you than me, bud." Balthus piped up – both of his companions looking up in surprise. They had all but forgotten he was there. "What?" Balthus stared right back at them. "The Prof is as stubborn as a goat and has a fucking wicked left hook. I wouldn't wanna be the one to tell her summat that she doesn't wanna hear!"

There was a small silence, and then Myles started to laugh weakly.

"Balthus is completely correct." He admonished Jeritza with a grin. "You are really hanging me out to dry here, Jez… I should insist that you tell her yourself!"

"But that would require me seeing her, which would then be counter-productive to the whole not-seeing her idea… Oh!" Jeritza's eyes narrowed. "You are teasing me, aren't you." He sighed.

"Largely yes." Myles chuckled. "I get your point, Jeritza – but damn it all – I really don't wanna be the bearer of that bad news. You must realise just how fond she is of you."

"I care for her too," Jeritza said softly. "Which is why this is the best way. I cannot return to the Monastery, although I do promise that I will be keeping an eye on things as best as I can. It's not like I am given an advanced warning or anything when I am used as a weapon. I do seem to have at least some control over the Death Knight nowadays. Certainly, more than I did in the past." His words dried up; instead, he shyly glanced at Myles imploringly. "Will you speak to her?" He asked again.

"Yeah. I guess I get it…" Myles nodded wistfully. "Might be a good idea if I was able to get into contact with you somehow though… or if we arranged to meet up kinda regular to compare notes - at least keep some contact going." He added thoughtfully.

"You know – you could use Abyss for that," Balthus interjected once again. "You could do your portal thingy to one of the unused spaces down there and meet up with Myles that way – or anyone you wanted to, really. It ain't part of the Monastery, Abyssians keep themselves to themselves and properly understand the need for secrets." He shrugged and grinned. "I wouldn't mind the nice aesthetic sometimes either!" He added with a leer.

Jeritza's blush was back. "You are completely incorrigible…" He complained with a frown.

"You can encourage me anytime, darlin'!" Balthus agreed with a smirk.

Myles snorted a laugh. "Bal, that's my sister's romantic interest you're flirting with!" He admonished teasingly. "You honestly wanna mess with By?"

Balthus threw back his head and laughed loudly, putting his hands up placatingly. "Not me!" he insisted. "I am merely admiring. It ain't a crime to admire, is it?" He asked.

Jeritza crossed his arms defensively. "Hmm." He relented a little. "I suppose that I too have noted that you are an admirable fighter, brute." He conceded.

"… And devilishly handsome!" Balthus flexed his arms impishly. "Don't forget that, honey!"

"… And entirely incorrigible." Jeritza said with finality, but there was a tiny smile playing around his lips. "I think it might be wise to agree to utilise Abyss as a meeting place." He added to Myles, trying to ignore Balthus's spontaneous cheer. "I will accompany you now if I may - so that I can source a location to warp into in the future." He added. "I would also appreciate hanging around for a day or two to hear anything that may be forthcoming regarding the fallout from recent events and how Byleth, Flayn and Manuela are doing healthwise." He added.

"You're welcome, darlin'." Balthus grinned as he started moving again.

"Regardless of the fact, you are allowing the Death Knight into your sanctuary?" Jeritza asked, a look of slight puzzlement on his face as he began to follow along the path that Balthus was making for them.

"Well, Yuri may have summat to say about that… but fuck him. We all of us have a history, and for many, it ain't exactly a clean one." Balthus shrugged. "Besides, I reckon I could give old Death-britches a run for his money if it came to a rumble. At least for a time." He grinned. "Be a whole load of fun to spar." He added with a wink.

"You are completely insane." Jeritza shook his head. "Or are you simply too foolish to be scared?" He mused. "Either way, I think it a poor idea to actually fight on purpose."

Myles was outright laughing at the exchange between the two of them, regardless of the weight that was hanging on him. He was a little saddened by the thought of how much Byleth would have enjoyed hearing them at it too. Tiredness swept over him like a flood, and his smile fell from his face.

"Do you think Yuri would be willing to head up top and sniff out the news as it happens?" Myles asked quietly. "He… is kinda close to Lady Rhea, right?" He added.

This time it was Balthus that looked surprised. "Dunno that they are close." He replied. "I expect he will be keeping an eye on proceedings, though. Yuri does like his intrigue and schemes. He'll have more of a reason with you and Mr Gorgeousness over there down in town too." He added. "I'm pretty sure that we will be able to keep you in the know between us. And we definitely owe the Professor for her help before – so I don't reckon sticking our noses in is gonna be a problem."

"I sincerely hope not," Myles said plaintively. "Seems we have enough of those already to last a lifetime."