The student's triumphant return to the monastery was a muted affair at best. With the loss of Balthus's continual efforts to keep everyone jollied up and the appearance of Jeralt's intimidatingly scowling countenance following their receipt of Claude's electrifying news – no one was in any particular frame of mind to celebrate their homecoming.
Jeralt's mood was undeniably sour. He summarily dismissed the students at the gates, leaving them to quietly sort out their own affairs and handed off his horse to Ferdinand to take to the stables. With a moment of deep consideration, he then tersely ordered Claude to carry a message to Byleth for him. Regardless of how much he longed to set his own eyes on his daughter – he had already decided that he needed to find out for himself exactly where things stood with the scions of the church in relation to current events. That way, he could make a more informed decision as to whether or not they would be immediately leaving this hellhole of a place once and for all.
Despite his singular determination and surly mood, Jeralt did make one quick stop before he climbed the stairs up to the infirmary, where he assumed he would find Flayn, and thus likely Seteth as well. The gruff captain lingered for a few moments only – but long enough to gather a small bouquet of flowers from the garden to take to Flayn. He had been honestly devastated by the news of her kidnapping, and his relief at her recovery was also very real.
As it turned out, Manuela was the only person resident in the infirmary when Jeralt burst in – the stab wound that she had received from the Death Knight still only partially healed.
"I am fine, Jeralt. Don't fuss so!" She ordered when he banged into the room, demanding to know how she was with a distinct lack of small-talk. "Oh, you brought me flowers!" She added with a beaming smile. "How unexpected."
"They are for…." Jeralt began, but he didn't have the heart to correct her, instead handing them over to the woman with only a tiny amount of irritation. "All alone, Manuela?" He questioned with a raised brow. "I would have thought that Flayn would still be receiving treatment."
"Oh." The former songstress's face fell slightly. "Obviously, I doubt that the child is even close to recovery yet – but Seteth refused to allow her to be situated in such a public place. As I understand it, Rhea herself has been overseeing the treatment that Flayn is receiving and who has been providing it." Manuela sighed. "I suppose that it's understandable given what happened to her, but it has been absolutely infuriating not knowing what is going on. I mean, I was stabbed and everything for the cause, so you would think that somebody would consider poor old Manuela languishing alone with her wounds and entirely out of the loop of all the excitement."
"Stabbed by the Death Knight," Jeralt grunted sourly.
Manuela's eyes narrowed thoughtfully, and it was a moment before she replied.
"Yes. The Death Knight. Jeritza…" She agreed. "You know…" Manuela looked away from Jeralt, thoughtfully busying her hands with smoothing her immaculate bedsheets instead. "It's certainly a little odd that I am still living after an encounter with one reputed to be such a stone-cold killer." Suddenly her gaze moved back, and she fixed Jeralt with a rather pointed look. "Why, it was almost as if the monster did not actually desire to kill me at all – merely move me out of his way - although perhaps that is just the wishful thinking of my sad old romantic heart."
Jeralt's scowl deepened, and he looked as if he were about to say something, but Manuela raised a hand to stall his riposte.
"I have no real doubt that there were genuine feelings between Byleth and Jeritza," She supplied softly. "Although given the nature and the overall relationship experience of the pair of them combined – I doubt very much that their affair had progressed terribly far in terms of intimacy…."
"Save it for someone who gives a damn, Manuela." Jeralt barked, his face reddening uncomfortably at that particular thought.
"I also don't really believe that Jeritza was insincere in his efforts to help in locating Flayn…." Manuela ploughed on, ignoring Jeralt completely. "His aid was invaluable in locating her – and if he truly was the villain of the piece, he need not have tried even half as hard as he did."
"Do you have a point that you are trying to get to with this?" Jeralt barked impatiently.
"Why, yes, Jeralt – I believe I do." Manuela fixed him with a steely gaze. "Regardless of how this all comes out in the wash – you need to remember that Byleth most assuredly had feelings for Jeritza just as he did for her. She will undoubtedly be hurting, and the very last thing she needs on top of that particular pain is her overzealous father berating her for falling for a bad boy. We have all been there… Well, perhaps not with quite so dramatic a bad boy – but who knows what the true story is with him. He's always been an odd duck and prodigiously skilled in battle but consider this. Can somebody who honestly displayed so deep a level of devoted care to another really beall that bad underneath?" She crossed her arms belligerently and stared down the grumpy man in front of her.
"I see." Jeralt was slightly taken aback. "I'll take your words into consideration." He grunted, wondering if he would actually be able to. He was pretty exceptionally pissed, after all.
"Well, good darling!" Manuela brightened immediately. "Of course, a silly old airhead like me could be entirely wrong about the situation…."
"Cut the crap. I'm no more of a fool than you are." Finally, Jeralt raised a small smile. "I get it. You are far more astute than most people realise. You care a great deal more, too…" He added as an afterthought.
"Oh, for heaven's sake, Jeralt! Don't you dare go bandying around rumours like that about me!" Manuela smirked at him. "Whatever would it do to my reputation!"
Jeralt held his hands up in surrender. "Perhaps the same consideration should be given to supposed bad girls as well!" He suggested slyly. "I have your number now, Manuela… you need to remember that in our future dealings." He warned her smugly.
"Oh? We are due some potential future dealings, Jeralt? How very exciting!" Manuela's arch look managed to be both challenging and lecherous, then she giggled at the deep red flush that roared to the grizzly old warrior's face. "Point to me, I believe darling…" She murmured happily.
"You are a very bad woman," Jeralt groaned, but he managed a genuine smile and moved a little closer to her bed so that he could lower his voice significantly. "Do you know where they have sequestered Flayn?" He asked. "I'm assuming Seteth will be in attendance to her – and I need to get some idea of what the general mood is with him and Rhea concerning my girl and the whole shitstorm regarding Jeritza…" He trailed off, certain that Manuela would understand his thinking without having to spell it out.
"Byleth knew he was the Death Knight, didn't she." Manuela pondered. "She did not say as much to me – and she has wisely stayed away since everything happened – but I have had a whole load of time to run things over in my own head whilst being left here – alone and bored. I mean, given the amount of time they spent together, particularly in the training grounds, I very much doubt she could not have recognised him when he showed up as Mr Stabby-pants at the mausoleum." Her look became serious. "If I can work that much out, Jeralt – you can be assured that Seteth will have as well. One thing I have heard whilst languishing in my sick-bed is that Jeritza… The Death Knight had been identified positively as the kidnapper. I don't know what Seteth truly believes, but you have to be prepared for the possibility that it is where he lies the blame, and if that is the case – regardless of his fond regard for Byleth - some of his blame will naturally fall on her as well for keeping Jeritza's identity a secret."
"I'm aware." Jeralt nodded. "The von Riegan lad doesn't seem to think there is any truth to Jeritza's culpability. He was talking logistics, that the timing of stuff makes it near on impossible for the weaponsmaster to have successfully undertaken the deed unaided."
Manuela nodded. "I would agree with that, although I was only brought into the loop on Byleth's return." She looked pained suddenly. "I haven't seen anything of her since everything happened – I am worried that she was hurt in the fighting – she wasn't in brilliant shape beforehand…."
"Claude said that she is laying low in company with Mercedes." Jeralt considered for a moment. "I was told that the young healer is Jeritza's sibling."
"Oh!" Manuela's eyes grew wide, and she shook her head. "How did I not see that as soon as I first clapped eyes on him without his mask?" She moaned to herself. "I suppose I was just overawed by his rather impressive good looks…."
"He isn't that good looking," Jeralt grunted and scowled when Manuela simply raised a brow at him. "Anyway – I believe Mercedes is pretty skilled in her healing. Is there anything you would like me to relay to her about Byleth's care when I see them later?"
"I don't believe so," Manuela replied thoughtfully. "I suspect given all that's happened, Mercedes will be fussing, and Byleth will actually be letting her get away with it… so it's probably the best outcome for both of them. Your daughter can be terribly stubborn when it comes to her care, you know!"
Jeralt nodded. "So, do you know where I can find Seteth and Flayn?" He repeated.
"Hmm." Manuela nodded. "They are either in Flayn or Seteth's personal quarters. I would suspect Flayn's personally – it's in an easier location to secure, and I believe you will find it rather heavily guarded. I'm sure they will allow you access, though, darling."
"They'd better…." Jeralt rumbled menacingly.
"Oh, how I wish I could come with you!" Manuela's eyes glittered in anticipation. "Or even just be a fly on the wall!" She added cheekily.
"Well, then. Maybe I could come back later and fill you in a bit once I've got things a bit straighter in my own head." Jeralt suggested lightly.
"Would you, darling?"
"I might…" Jeralt chuckled suddenly. "If I haven't been dragged down to the cells myself by then." He added - only partly jokingly.
Manuela grimaced at him. "Don't even think about allowing that to happen, she demanded just as the door opened and Hanneman peered around the doorway.
"Oh…" He glanced at Jeralt and then smiled at Manuela. "I see you already have company. I'll come back later…."
"Come on in, Hanneman," Manuela instructed imperiously. "Jeralt was just leaving. Did you bring me the wine I requested?" She added eagerly.
"Well, yes I did…." Hanneman nodded as he slid almost apologetically into the room. "I'm really not sure it's a good idea for you to be drinking while you are in recovery, however."
"Who is the healer here, you old goat?" Manuela challenged.
"Who is the alcoholic?" Hanneman volleyed back immediately.
"… And on that note, I'm off!" Jeralt started to back towards the door. "Killing each other would also be counter-productive to recovery." He pointed out stoically.
"Oh, Jeralt! Don't be so silly!" Manuela giggled merrily. "The fossil and I are only playing – we don't mean anything by it."
"Says you!" Hanneman muttered under his breath.
~0~
Mercedes was crying. Again.
Byleth was really at a loss about how to cope with the healer's tears, her own eyes resolutely dry. She had already tried cuddles and reasoning as well as simply attempting to ignore the waterworks that Mercedes seemed to find impossible to switch off. Byleth herself was feeling a little numb – although part of that may have been due to the painkillers that she'd been encouraged to take to give her some relief from her more physical hurts.
"Like I have already pointed out, Mercedes, Jeritza is safe. He isn't stupid enough to return here now – regardless of his innocence." It was a refrain she had repeated several times since she had arrived to give Mercedes a heads-up on the bad news.
"Yes… I know." Mercedes agreed miserably. "But, he is the Death Knight!" She wailed – again, not for the first time. "I can't imagine the horrors that he has been through. It is so much worse than I even imagined. Oh, Byleth – he was such a sweet and serious child. Kind – you know!" A fresh batch of tears fell down her cheeks.
"I can see that being the case." Byleth agreed quietly. "Regardless of his prickly demeanour – he was always very kind to me."
Mercedes ran a hand over her cheeks to wipe at the wetness. "Well, I suppose we will just have to pray that we get word from him somehow." She sighed.
"Your wish is my command!" Claude slipped in through the rear window of the room, making Mercedes squeal in fear. "Oops, sorry, Mercie." He added contritely. "I didn't mean to alarm you."
"Have you seen Jeritza?" Byleth demanded. "And my father? You did meet with them, right? I saw that the others have returned, although everyone seemed really quiet…."
Claude nodded. "Yes to both." He told her. "I passed onto your Da what you requested. He instructed me to tell you to stay put for now. He's going to confront Seteth and find out where things stand."
"Oh, crap." Byleth rose quickly to her feet and started to make her way to the door, but Claude managed to slip in front of her and bar her path. "Move, Claude." She said, deceptively quietly.
"Nope." He shook his head at her firmly. "I am not going to be the one who has to explain to Jeralt that I failed in carrying out his orders." He crossed his arms over his chest.
Momentary anger flared on Byleth's face, but then she relented, her shoulders drooping.
"Fine."
"You spoke to Jeritza?" Mercedes had pushed her way forward eagerly and clutched at Claude's arm.
"Not directly, no." Claude pattened reassuringly at Mercedes's arm. "I did, however, pop down to Abyss before coming here. That's where Myles is hiding out for the time being – Balthus suggested it." He explained to Byleth. "It was them who spoke with Jeritza. He is fine. He knows he needs to keep away, and he asked Myles to forward his deepest regrets to the both of you."
"Does Myles know how to contact my brother?" Mercedes asked plaintively. "I need to speak with him myself. I have to know that he's okay…."
"I'm sorry, Mercie – I really don't know." Claude lied. He wasn't entirely sure exactly how much Mercedes had been informed of. Added to which he wasn't about to tell Byleth that Jeritza was currently in Abyss too. It was going to be hard enough keeping her here without her finding that out too.
"Did the others all seem okay?" Byleth moved away from the door and retook her seat on the bed. "The student's I mean. I had to run out of them very suddenly to come back to help search for Flayn. Our battle at the tower had been tough."
"Yes!" Mercedes agreed. "I really should go and check on Sylvain… he must be feeling awful at the moment. Suddenly she giggled, although it came out as half a sob. "What is it with brothers?" She lamented. "Mine is the Death Knight. Yours was almost murdered and is hiding out in Abyss, still under some suspicion of Flayns abduction – or at least, it hasn't been cleared up yet. And poor Sylvain..." She shook her head. "Do you think it would be okay if I went to check on him?"
"I suspect he would appreciate that." Byleth agreed after a moment of thought. "Just be circumspect in what you tell him, Mercedes. We don't know what the official line is going to be as yet – and in all honesty, I think the less we shovel onto Sylvain's plate, the better."
"Agreed." Mercedes nodded. "I'll grab us food on my way back too." She offered. "I assume you will stay here and keep an eye on my patient." She added to Claude.
"I don't have anywhere better to be." Claude asserted, not adding that he wanted to ensure that Byleth stayed put – although he knew she'd realised the fact by the scowl that twisted at her lips. "What?" He smirked at her. "Do you actually think I'm stupid, Teach?"
"Naturally." She muttered rebelliously.
"Mean!" Claude stood aside from the door as Mercedes pulled on her cloak and stepped forward. "Everyone was obviously shocked at what happened here." He told them both quietly. "Everyone looked well, though. Physically at least – although Linhardt was fully asleep on the back of his horse, and Caspar had been required to get up behind him to make sure he didn't fall off.
"Hmm. Maybe I should look in on Lin too." Mercedes fretted.
"Do what you need to, Mercie. I'm not going anywhere anytime soon." Claude patted her arm. "Check on whoever you need to – I'm sure it will only do everyone a world of good. Including yourself."
Mercedes looked a little surprised. "Thank you." She said gratefully. "I could probably use the distraction." She added sadly.
"Right!" Claude held the door open for her, then shut it quietly once she was through. With a sense of impending doom, he looked around and was met by Byleth's steely gaze.
"Tell me everything." She demanded harshly. "I can tell when you are holding something back, von Riegan – so don't think you can pull the wool over my eyes."
"Like I would even bother trying." Claude swallowed hard. Well, this was going to be a whole load of fun.