Seteth was hunched over a small desk in the living area of Flayn's suite when a loud ruckus began on the other side of the door. Hastily he rose to his feet – sending several of the paper's he'd been attempting to work on spiralling to the floor in an untidy mess and knocking one of his knees painfully against the wooden tabletop in his haste.

His expression was thunderous when he pulled the door open and stared out at the guards in the corridor, many of whom appeared to be engaged in a physical altercation with a lone figure who… ah. Seteth banged hard on the wooden doorframe in an attempt to gain attention – at this stage figuring that if Flayn had not already been awoken by the noisy scuffle, then his own addition was hardly going to make a difference.

"Please!" Seteth's voice was clipped in his anger, although he had a good idea what the root cause of the problem was – or rather… who.

"I'm sorry, sir!" The nearest Knight turned and reddened immediately at the sight of the irate man. "Captain!" He added, pleading at the struggling figure who was currently being restrained by five other Knights. "He refused to leave." The Knight told Seteth helplessly. "We were a little unclear on whose orders would actually take precedence – but Captain Jeralt was disinclined to wait patiently while we established protocol…."

"I'm sure he was," Seteth murmured, glancing at Jeralt, who had ceased his struggling and was glaring back at him with a scowl. "Let him pass, please." He added wearily, turning and walking back into the room without waiting to witness his orders being carried out.

He had barely reached the desk when the door to the room slammed shut so hard that the walls seemed to reverberate while Jeralt himself let out a loud huff. Seteth turned and raised a single eyebrow.

"Flayn is sleeping." He murmured quietly. "Or at least she was. I suspect your little display of pique has awoken her…."

"Aw, shit." Jeralt ran a frustrated hand through his hair and pushed past Seteth to fling himself heavily into a seat. "How is she Seteth? Nobody seems to be able to give me an update…."

"Her care has been rather specifically provided and monitored," Seteth replied evasively, and instead of continuing to his place at the table, he moved over to another door leading off the room. He motioned to Jeralt – putting a finger to his lips, then carefully opened the door and peered in. After a couple of moments of silent observation – he closed the door again and joined the other man. "She sleeps." He reported quietly. "I would appreciate it if we could keep our voices down…."

"Bloody convenient," Jearlt growled, then suddenly looked a little shamefaced. "Sorry…" He murmured. "Harsh of me. I have been fucking worried too, though, Seteth – preventing myself from just riding back here to take the Monastery apart stone by sone was one of the hardest things I've done in a while…."

Seteth's flinty eyes softened at the other man's heartfelt declaration. He reached out a hand to squeeze his shoulder. "Thank you." He murmured. "On top of that, I am sure you have been beset with worry concerning your own children too." He sighed heavily. "What a mess.…." He sighed, his posture drooping defeatedly in his chair. He stared off into the distance for a long moment, and then he physically attempted to pull himself together. "Flayn has regained consciousness several times since her recovery." He reported stoically. "She is in a state of extreme fatigue, and her memory of events is patchy at best. She recalls darkness and dreaming and very little more of the evening of her abduction or of her time strapped to the infernal machine that was harvesting her blood."

Jeralt swore colourfully under his breath. "She will recover, though?" He demanded.

Seteth nodded emphatically. "She needs rest, but it is not expected that she will suffer any long term ills from her experience." He shot a sideways look at Jeralt. "It is largely thanks to Byleth that she was located before her health was more permanently compromised." He said heavily.

Jeralt grunted. "Claude mentioned that it seemed the speculation that she would be able to get an idea of where Flayn was turned out to be true." He noted. "Didn't really believe it myself. I had belief in her personal skills, of course, as well as in her tenacity and her desire to find Flayn – but the other? Sounds like a whole load of fucking hokum to me." He shrugged helplessly. "But what do I know…. Obviously."

"Everybody involved was extremely helpful." Seteth continued doggedly. "Manuela, the von Riegan lad and… Jeritza."

There was silence. Neither man spoke as Seteth hoisted himself from his seat and moved to put a kettle on the hearth to boil.

"Did you know too? About Jeritza?" Seteth didn't turn to face Jeralt, although his tone sounded hurt rather than angry.

"I hardly knew the lad at all," Jeralt replied blankly. "Knew he was a handy fighter and that both Byleth and Myles were friendly with him – that was about all. You believe that my kids were aware that he was the Death Knight then?"

"Yes." Seteth still had his back to the other – closely watching the flames in the fireplace as if he could divine some wisdom from them that he was lacking. "Given the closeness that Byleth shared with Jeritza, I doubt she could possibly have not known after the encounter at the mausoleum."

"And you believe that the Death Knight is the one responsible for Flayn's abduction?" Jeralt sat forward in his chair, his hands gripping the arms of the wooden seat so hard that his knuckles had turned white.

Seteth didn't reply for a moment. He transferred water from the kettle to a teapot slowly and carefully, then stood, bringing the pot with him as he reclaimed his seat at the table.

"No." He said finally, staring at his hands rather than look at Jeralt. "I honestly can't see the man in the role that he has been accused of – even if I were to discount the logistics and bare facts as they are." He shook his head. He didn't add that Sothis's grudging acceptance of the man also counted a great deal towards his own. If Byleth had known the man's secret, then the Goddess must have done as well. That neither of them had chosen to share with the kind of risks that a demon such as the Death Knight could present to the Monastery…. That was another matter entirely.

"I don't understand much of what's been going on.…." Jeralt admitted sourly. "It's been suggested in my hearing, though, that the bastards that actually did take Flayn also have some kinda hold over the Death Knight too."

Seteth's brow creased. "I noted that Jeritza claimed far more knowledge of the nature of the miscreants than anyone should have. Honestly, a creature with the sort of reputation that the Death Knight holds would be just the kind of creation that they were up to their necks in."

"So, who are these people?" Jeralt's question was blunt. He saw no point in beating around the bush.

Seteth finally looked up and appraised his companion closely. He shook his head. "I don't have an entirely satisfying answer to that question, Jeralt." He replied. "A group dedicated to abusing blood magic is a basic answer – who they are and where they are… well, they were supposed to have been wiped out a long time ago."

"Magic." Jeralt grimaced. "It would be at the base of everything." He sighed. "Well, I guess I know first hand the kinda power your blood holds, given what Rhea's did to me." Suddenly he paled. "Hey! Does that mean that Byleth would be a target too? With her weird-arsed damnable crest and shit? What about Myles?... Fuck sake…" He looked angry, then he let out a loud breath. "How come you two are still here?" He asked. "I'd have assumed you'd have left as soon as you got Flayn back. Or is she still too fragile to be moved?"

"Jeralt, I just don't have any answers." Seteth looked away from the other's piercing gaze. If he were a betting man, given Byleth's connection with Sothis – he would be pretty damned inclined to wager everything he owned on the fact she would be a prize for the Agarthan's and their particular brand of magic. The fact that even Jeralt was unaware of the Goddess that resided with his daughter, though, made it incredibly unlikely that their enemy held that knowledge either. "Given the proven connection between our daughter's though and both Myles and your fondness for Flayn, I cannot help but think that the safest place for her right now is where the Eisner's are."

Jeralt let out an explosive laugh, then glanced at the door through which Flayn was sleeping and clamped a hand across his mouth quickly. "You sure about that, you nutter?" He asked once he'd managed to get his mirth under control. "Seems to me that bloody mayhem is all that follows us around."

Seteth was smiling weakly at the other man's sudden mirth. "You have no idea how long it has been since I have felt even remotely able to speak to anyone about this," He replied seriously. "That actually counts for a lot. Trust doesn't come easy or often…."

"Hm." Jeralt paused and stirred his tea. "You have a point." He said gruffly. "So, where does Rhea stand in all of this?"

Once again, Seteth shrugged. "She keeps her own council mainly." He said, unable to keep the disapproval from his voice. "She quite literally decimated the machine that had been harvesting Flayn once we'd managed to safely extract her from it. An unwise move, in my opinion – we may have learned something useful from its construct – but I swear there is not a shred of the entire contraption left that is larger than a gold piece." He tapped at his chin thoughtfully. "Honestly, I'd forgotten the skill that she had in physical combat and brawling – it was quite the display and had I not been rather thoroughly occupied at the time, it might even have been enjoyable to have witnessed it."

Jeralt chuckled. "Oh, bloody hell, yes!" He agreed heartily. "When I first met her, she was getting all jiggy with the physical. Damn, that slip of a girl had some mighty impressive skills. Landed me on my arse no end of times. She isn't sharing any thoughts on this enemy, though?" He repeated. "I mean, they gotta be behind the attempt to steal the sword of the creator, too, right? Since the Death Knight was involved in that. Now the abduction of her niece? It's pretty obvious that this enemy is a real and present threat, and she isn't stupid."

"Like me, she must have believed that the old enemy had been vanquished. I should probably speak to my brothers…." Seteth added absently.

Jeralt waited for his companion to say more – but when nothing was forthcoming, he let it slide. He had bigger fish to fry.

"I guess what I'm really asking here is how is this gonna be played out, Seteth. Are you saying Rhea hasn't given any indication of whether he is holding either or both of my kids accountable for some part in what's happened? I mean, after all the shit with Byleth and the sword and now her involvement with the fucking Death Knight…."

"Oh. I haven't pulled the Knights off of the search for Myles yet…." Seteth frowned. "Honestly, I'd forgotten that we had kept up the pretence that we believed he had run away with Flayn…." He looked up at Jeralt in consternation. "No. Rhea hasn't suggested to me what her thinking is on how this is going to be managed or what information is going to be released." He looked anxious. "Honestly though, even if the proof was indelible that Jeritza was not culpable in any way – it would not be possible for him to return to the Monastery or his duties here. He did stab Manuela after all…."

"A potential scapegoat then?" Jeralt surmised.

"It is what we are supposed to believe, I think." Seteth nodded. "Naming the Death Knight as the villain would play into the script that we were being fed."

"That ain't gonna look good on my girl." Jeralt scowled.

"Depends on how widely known their relationship was." Seteth pointed out. "You admitted yourself that you hardly knew the lad – if you had known their connection was serious, I'm positive you would have made an effort to get to know him better."

"Damned right, I bloody would have," Jeralt growled.

"Exactly." Seteth nodded. "As long as Byleth doesn't go around broadcasting that she knew about the Death Knight, then any negative association would be speculation only. Depending on Rhea, of course."

"Of course…." Jeralt shook his head. "You know – we could all just leave together, Seteth." He grunted.

Seteth's eyes grew wide, then suddenly, he started to chuckle. "Oh, well now, isn't that an interesting thought!"

"I'm not asking you to marry me, arsehole. I think it's a half-decent idea." Jeralt scowled. "The further away from here I am - the happier I'd be!"

Seteth nodded solemnly, although there was still a small smile playing around his lips.

"Brother? I heard voices…." Neither of the men had heard the door to Flayn's room open. She stood in the doorway, blinking sleepily.

"I'm sorry, Flayn, did we disturb you?" Seteth was on his feet and rushing over to his daughter.

"No. Not really." Her voice was light and a little unfocused. Jeralt's anger rose at the sight of her. She was so pale… and in her long nightdress, she looked so small and frail. He bit down his ire, though and forced a broad grin to his face.

"Jeralt!" A happy smile reached the young woman's lips. "You are back!" She allowed Seteth to aid her over to the table, where she threw her arms around the neck of the burly Captain.

"I thought I told you to hold off on the adventures while I was gone," Jeralt complained, returning her hug gently. "Seems to me that you completely ignored orders, General."

Flayn giggled lightly, although it dissolved into a coughing fit. Seteth pulled her up a chair and poured her a cup of tea. "You aren't to sit up long." He told her worriedly.

"I know, I know." Even holding the cup up to her lips seemed to drain the girl of energy. She frowned slightly and put it down on the table instead. "I've been looking for Sothis." She told them both, seriously. "She was with me for a time, but now I can't find her."

"Um, right." Seteth glanced at Jeralt, who was just looking a little confused. "Perhaps when you go back to sleep, you will see her again." He suggested carefully.

"Maybe…" Flayn agreed. She looked back at Jeralt, her smile soft. "I think it would be nice for us all to go off together." She told him.

"Ah, you heard that then!" Jeralt beamed at her. "We'd surely have a whole raft of adventures, eh!"

"Yes." Flayn nodded, her head drooping. "Father – I am tired." She added quietly. "I think I will go back to bed now."

Seteth said nothing as he lifted her from the chair and started to walk her back to her room.

"Bye, Jeralt. Thank you for visiting!" Flayn called over her father's shoulder, adding a little wave.

"Sleep well, honey." Jeralt managed, although once she was safely in her room, his expression broke, and his anger was plainly etched on his face.

After a short while, Seteth rejoined the Captain and sat himself down heavily. "She isn't quite herself at the moment." He said helplessly. "I am not entirely sure if it is down to the strength of the drugs she's taking to aid her recovery or if it is something that happened to her while she was imprisoned."

"What do we need to do, Seteth?" Jeralt asked forcefully. "You need to give me something to do to aid in finding these people and destroying them."

They were both silent for a time.

"Did you hear about the other girl found alongside Flayn?" Seteth asked finally. "Monica Von Ochs. She was the one who positively identified the Death Knight as the one that had kidnapped her last year and had been keeping her a prisoner."

"Claude mentioned something about another girl." Jeralt raised a brow. "Wait… are we sure then that Jeritza is innocent?"

"There is nothing special about Monica at all," Seteth told him. "No crest, a minor family who don't even want her back now that she has surfaced again… There would be no point to her abduction."

"Then you believe she is involved in some way?" Jeralt asked shrewdly.

Seteth nodded. "Keeping an eye on her and her movements should be a priority – but not alerting her to our suspicions will also be paramount. I'm open to suggestions."

"I'll think on it," Jeralt promised.

"You might actually get to see a bit of her yourself anyway…." Seteth added suddenly. "When I pulled her record, it was noted that she spent a fair bit of her time whilst enrolled here either making a nuisance of herself at the Guards or the Knights accommodations. Indeed when she originally went missing, it was actually her family who insisted that they weren't particularly surprised - and that she had probably gotten herself pregnant and run off with someone." He shrugged. "If her conduct is the same now she has returned – it might be easier than supposed to keep tabs on her."

Jeralt grunted. "I'll make sure I introduce myself then. Although I ain't gonna stand for any fraternising with my Knights, that's for sure."

"An ample reason to be keeping her in your sights." Seteth mused.