Blank State
4/20/1180
They were staring at him expectantly. All three of them, with wide eyes – a pair of dark green, grayish blue, and rounded purple.
"None of you," Byleth said.
"What was that?" Edelgard, who had long white hair, purple eyes, and decorated in red responded. The two male nobles expressed an equal amount of bemusement.
"I would continue traveling with my father," He said with a certain detachment. His eyes were as blank as his words. The child voice scolded him for being rude, but the damage of his flat-out refusal already scarred any relations to these young heirs.
"Well, I suppose if that's how you wish to live your life," Dimitri, the blond noble adorned in blue accents, shook his head.
"Eh, beggars can't be choosers. I'm not sure I'd be willing to run off with people I just met, either," Claude mused, but his emerald eyes also showed a similar disappointment. He had the darkest skin matched with the darkest hair. Gold complemented his uniform. Byleth said nothing and the four of them went separate directions.
Byleth met up with his father they walked in silence during the dark hours.
As the sun rose, they were met with the nobles and knights. They bantered in lighthearted merriment, as if they had no care in their march. Byleth ignored them and kept a stonewall face. They tried to pull him into their discussion, but he would not entertain them.
Byleth could not wait for a moment of solitude. When he and his father marched with the small mercenary troops, their team acted much the same as these nobles. The only difference being none of the other mercenaries expected Byleth to play along. He had no interest in being a sound box.
"You haven't said a word this entire time," Claude said, "C'mon. You've gotta have something to add to our discussion."
Byleth's response was succinct, "I have no use for banter."
"We are not engaging in banter," Dimitri defended himself, "We are merely discussing the upcoming year."
"What do you want to talk about?" Edelgard asked.
Nothing came to mind.
"What do you do in your spare time?" Claude tried to offer some guidance.
"Free time?" Byleth asked with no discernable trace of sarcasm.
"When you are not training or fighting off bandits?" Dimitri said.
"Hmm," Byleth shook his head. Still, nothing came to mind, "We march. Make camp. Fish and hunt. Drive out bandits. Pack it all back up and march again."
"That is your life?" Dimitri asked.
"Yes."
"Does that not become dull?" Edelgard wondered.
"No."
"You're saying there isn't a single thing you would change about that?" Claude chimed in.
"Nothing."
"You aren't giving us much to work with, here," Claude shook his head.
"I guess not," Byleth ended the discussion on an awkward note. The three nobles gave each other similar looks. Byleth walked slightly ahead of the three, to give them the space they needed to carry a conversation, but also to make a point to leave him out of it.
They eventually did return to their mutual excitement for the upcoming year. Learning from their mistake of trying to include a reclusive personality to the mix, their conversations grew livelier as the hours passed. Even Jeralt, Byleth noticed, maintained a conversation with the older knights.
Byleth noted the behavior as odd but thought nothing else. His eyes were on the path ahead.
Claude mentioned, "Man, how much longer do we have to go? I need to get some food in me."
"It has been a while since breakfast," Dimitri agreed, "But it should not be too much further ahead."
"I should be fine until we return," Edelgard said.
"That's nice for you," Claude laughed, "I should have packed a snack. I'll have to remember that for next time."
Jeralt stretched out his arm and Byleth stopped walking, as did the mercenaries and the knights alike. The nobles were a bit taken aback by the single act causing the entire march to halt in unison.
"Son," He said, "Go get supplies so their highnesses can have a quick lunch."
"Understood," Byleth walked a few feet away, but paused as the princess protested.
"That will not be necessary," Edelgard said, "We would not want to waste precious time."
"Agreed," Dimitri nodded, "You should not concern yourselves with us."
"We've been at this for hours. The monastery is another hour off, roughly. We'll make it, but we should also rest for the final stretch." Jeralt said, "The knights and I can figure out our own. Son, your task is to feed yourself and these three."
Byleth nodded, then proceeded to carry out his task. The three young ones stood in watch, but Jeralt also put them in motion by saying, "Go follow him."
"Don't have to tell me twice," Claude ran after Byleth first, while the other two gave polite thanks and trailed behind.
Byleth, in the meantime, found a small clearing in the trees and built a makeshift sitting area. He wandered to the edge of the forest before being asked by Claude, "Where you headed?"
"Firewood."
"Is there anything we can do?" Edelgard offered. Byleth paused, then returned to the soon to be camp site. He picked up a cast iron pot from beside one of the tree longs intended to be a seat and said, "Fill this. Make sure it's clean water."
"Are you sure that's a task befitting a royal such as yourself?" Claude heckled Edelgard. Byleth seemed to take this as a scolding and said, "Then I will collect the firewood, and come back for the pot."
"No, do not listen to him," Edelgard's voice raised in embarrassment, "I will collect the fresh water. Easy."
". . . Are you sure?" Byleth asked, "I have not seen anyone else in these woods, but we should stay in groups of two, just to be safe."
"Those two will just be at each other's throats if you pair them up," Claude said, "As much as I'd prefer going with you, I guess I'll stay and watch over our lady empress."
"Ugh, fine," Edelgard shrugged, "But you are carrying back the full pot."
"Whatever you say, madam."
"H-hold on a moment," Dimitri objected, but the other two nobles ignored him.
"I have a map of the area," Edelgard said, "I know there is a stream nearby. We will shout if we run into trouble."
Byleth nodded and Claude and Edelgard left in a hurry.
"We don't need much," Byleth said.
"Right," Dimitri knew what to look for as far as wood stalk went, so they gathered it quickly and brought it back in silence. It could not have been more than ten minutes, but each passing second rivaled an eternity of bitter awkwardness.
Byleth began to arrange the wood inside a ring of rocks. Dimitri watched, unsure of what to say.
As he finished, Claude returned with the full pot in hand with Edelgard beside him.
"Perfect timing," Byleth said – almost sounding of praise. He had flint in hand already and struck the pieces together. Smoke rose from the stack and he agitated the flames with another long thin piece, working on spreading the flame within the confines of the rocks.
He finally blew into the stack, and the flames erupted. Nonchalantly, he rose from the campfire and grabbed the potholder, fastening it around the circle and reaching for the pot of water. His actions were fluid. They were mesmerized by the simple grace in which he flowed – and Claude almost did not hand over the pot because of it.
As he fit it into the holder, Dimitri said, "Will it not take some time for it to boil? What are you planning on making?"
"Yes," Byleth answered, "Boiling is easy, compared to other forms of cooking."
"So, a soup then? Vegetable only?" Edelgard asked.
"No."
Dimitri asked, "Where is the meat?"
"I have not yet procured that," He answered.
"You are going to hunt?" Edelgard said, "Will that not also take time?"
"Not hunt," Byleth said, pulling out a fishing line from the supplies he took, "I will be back. While I am gone, cut the vegetables in that bag," He pointed to a few sacks. When did he have the time to grab all of these things?
"You said to remain in parties of two," Edelgard reminded.
"I can fend for myself," Byleth grimaced, silently he wished for a few moments of peace.
"I would feel much more at ease if you took a partner," Edelgard countered, "Dimitri? Are you going to accompany him?"
"Actually, I had a few thoughts on that," Dimitri eyed Claude, "Why not change partners? Surely, one of you would like to know our new acquaintance better."
Byleth raised an eyebrow, but also watched the pot. No bubbles formed, yet, but a watched pot never boils. An unwatched pot overflows and peels off unsuspecting skin.
"Right, while you discuss that," Byleth whispered and snuck away, leaving the bickering nobles at it.
"Claude, be honest. You chose Edelgard simply to avoid any awkward alone time with him, did you not?"
"I would never," Claude shook his head, "He seems like an interesting fellow. You could learn a thing or two from him."
"Or, he made it clear that he did not want to be with any one of us and you chose the path of least resistance." Dimitri sighed.
Edelgard started cutting the requested vegetables and said, "My task has already been delegated."
"That was open ended," Dimitri argued.
"Oh, so you don't want to be around him, now?" Claude said, "That is very rude of you. Well, he's probably leagues ahead so," Claude offered a knife to Dimitri, but he did not comply.
"You are working, too," Dimitri said.
"Of course. You are the only one who is not," Claude laughed, while just beginning to peel potatoes, "But if you really want to settle this: rock, paper, scissors?"
"Wha.t are we, children?" Dimitri's frown deepened.
"Well, I don't have straws to pull."
"So, you do think being his partner is like the short straw!" Claude laughed at how riled up he was getting.
"Now you're putting words in my mouth! Look, okay. Whoever loses rock, paper, scissors will go check on him. Unless you have a better option?"
"I – do not."
"Settled. Ready?" Claude dropped the potato and peeler and balled a fist into the palm of his other hand. Dimitri's eye twitched and hesitated to join in Claude's game, but conceded. Claude smiled, "Best two of three. On go. Ready? Rock, paper, scissors – Go!" Claude landed on paper – and Dimitri landed on rock.
"Luck be favoring me today," Claude said, "Round 2: Rock, paper, scissors, Go!" Dimitri chose scissors this time, while Claude chose rock, "Ooh, gotcha again. Better go check on our friend."
"I do not know how you did it, but I know you cheated," Dimitri turned to Edelgard, "Can I see your map?"
"You did not bring one of your own?" She scolded, "How unprepared."
"No, I did not. I will next time. May I please see the map?"
"Very well. Check my satchel over there," She pointed to the opposite log. While Dimitri was out of earshot, Edelgard said, "I can scarcely believe it. You were right?"
"What did I say? He is predictable. I knew he would choose rock, then scissors."
"A fascinating parlor trick. But nothing more."
"Ah, that's where you're wrong. He's an open and shut psychological case."
"Drop the topic for now. But . . ."
"You wanna know more, don't you? Can't trade any more of my secrets, though," Claude went back to peeling potatoes and Edelgard moved to the next batch to cut. Dimitri found the map and, with every best intention, went to set out.
However, as he took a step away from the log, someone moved in his peripheral vision.
None of them quite saw him emerge from the trees, but Byleth moved silently enough to sit down next to Dimitri, who had studied the map for perhaps a maximum of 30 seconds.
Even Claude and Edelgard were daunted at how none of them noticed his return.
"What are you doing?" Byleth asked Dimitri.
"Uh. Nothing. Just trying to – you know, never mind. Do you need any help over here?" He slipped the map back into Edelgard's satchel and sat next to Byleth.
"Hmm," Byleth looked at the trout he caught, "Have you ever gutted fish before?"
"I . . . cannot say that I have."
"Do you have a weak stomach?"
"Not particularly. I do not believe so."
Byleth removed his gauntlets and gloves, rolled up his sleeves, and began to show Dimitri how to remove parts of the fish that did not belong in the pot. Dimitri saw instantly why he would remove the clothing and mirrored the action. Fish had a particularly pungent smell, but also happened to be the easiest thing for quick preparation. Dimitri even liked trout, but never saw it prepared.
Byleth demonstrated how to clean and cut the fish, then handed the next to Dimitri. While he worked on the one, Byleth finished the other two.
The pot reached overflow – the water sizzled and spat, drooling foam down the sides of the pot. Byleth placed all the prepared meat parts in and asked Claude and Edelgard, "Watch the pot. I'm going to rinse of my hands."
"Yes. I will do the same," Dimitri said. Byleth grabbed a bar of soap from his bag and the two of them walked in the forest.
The smell stayed with them, which made Dimitri want a full bath and his clothes to be thoroughly washed. He did not complain, because he knew his company probably felt the same.
The prince struggled to find anything to talk about. He stopped worrying about it, though, accepting Byleth liked to walk in silence. He blindly followed Byleth's lead, allowing his focus inward, to that of his goal. He could only guess what was going on in the mercenary's head.
The forest was a surprisingly lovely place to take a stroll. When they reached the water, Dimitri could barely contain the urge to quickly wash the scent off. Byleth stopped midstride in between the trees.
"Are we going to – " Byleth silenced him with the same motion Jeralt used to halt his troops. Dimitri followed his gaze to across the stream. It was another patch of thick trees and brush, but no one or nothing seemed out of place.
Perhaps it was just habit on his part? To check his surroundings before coming out into the open?
Then he heard a muffled conversation, "I saw them. Knights everywhere," Byleth grabbed Dimitri's arms and pulled him down to a crouch. Dimitri was unnaturally close to Byleth, their faces nearly touching. For some reason, Byleth did not let go of his arms, and Dimitri did not care to correct it. Byleth put out a surprising amount of body heat, especially in the palms of his hands.
"Dammit, can't we catch a break?"
"Right. Can you imagine the ransom?"
"Pretty penny for pretty children. Eh. We should return and avoid the knights."
"I hear ya. Can't earn gold if we're dead. Maybe we'll happen across other powerful heirs." The sound of cracking twigs faded off into the distance. Byleth waited another moment or two before rising to his full height. Dimitri then also stood and looked across the stream. Byleth handed him the soap.
"We aren't safe here," Byleth said. "Let's rinse off and return to the others."
They went to the stream and Dimitri washed off while Byleth stood watch. Once he felt sufficiently free of fish guts, he handed the now wet bar to Byleth. They switched roles for a moment. When Byleth finished, he directed Dimitri to take the lead back into the forest.
In the cover of the trees, Dimitri said, "Did you hear what they said? Ransom. Were they talking about us?"
Byleth replied, "Probably. Sounds like the normal mindset."
"In what way is that 'normal'?"
"I meant for a bandit," Byleth started to walk the trail back to camp at a brisker pace than before, "Still, that doesn't make sense."
"What about it?"
"They were going for the kill, before. Ransom doesn't work as well on the dead."
"Fair point."
"I'll report this to my father, but for now we should keep our voices down."
"I take it you are not eager for a fight?"
"They're avoiding us for a reason. We have a small army and we wiped most of them out earlier."
"That really did not answer my question."
"We overheard the conversation of two men," Byleth said.
"That still did not answer it."
". . . It's never just two men."
"Oh," Dimitri fell silent, drawing the parallel Byleth made.
"Don't get me wrong. If they saw us, I would've eliminated them. Especially given the way they were talking about you."
"Huh. That might be the most reassuring thing you have said all day."
The opening for the camp was in sight, much to the relief of the two. Byleth felt the hairs on his arms stand on end; a normal reaction for that sixth sense, alerting something isn't quite right. Byleth slowed his pace, hoping to determine the cause of his sudden unease.
"So. It's you." They heard coming from behind. Byleth turned to face the assailant, "You're that kid from a month ago."
Byleth did not recognize this man, who wielded an axe and many scars. He was a larger set man with greying hair and the armor of a brigand.
"I have no idea who you are," Byleth said, positioning himself to protect Dimitri.
"Ah. . . Of course not. It wouldn't do well to remember every person you've ever battled. I'm the same. Usually."
"And?"
"To the point, huh. Very well. I've been tracking your father's movements this month. Waiting for the right moment to strike."
"And this is your moment," Byleth backed away, trying to get Dimitri to run back and warn the other two.
"I am torn. You see. I wanted to kill you and present your head to Jeralt. But, I know who that blonde boy behand you is. It would be a shame to let this go to waste."
"So, you're going to kill me to get to him?"
"I don't want to kill you until I can flaunt it in front of your dad. No. I'm offering you the chance to flee and hold onto your life until next we meet."
"Those two at the stream were scouts, then."
"Oh. There were three. Two dolts and one hiding in the trees that you missed. And what a beautiful gift. The mercenary I need protecting a prince who will bring me fortune. To think my lucky day has come."
"Go back and warn the others," Byleth ordered.
"I am not leaving you behind," Dimitri argued.
"We'll need backup."
Dimitri did not budge.
"I still don't know who you are, though," Byleth said to stall.
"We met in battle when you and your father drove us off. We'd been making our rounds to some prosperous little towns in a straight line – that is, until you all came around. I lost my son to your father that day. It's only fair that I return the favor."
"So, you're after revenge."
"But now I'm after money. Stand aside and let me take that brat off your hands. I'll make what little time you have left worth your while."
"That's not going to happen."
"Guess I get to cut you down today, after all."
The two Byleth spotted earlier emerged from the thicket.
"Still one more. In hiding. These trees are going to make it difficult to track him. You need to retreat and let the others know."
"I am not leaving your side." Dimitri instated, "I am not leaving you to die."
Byleth shook his head, "We can't do this on our own. We need the help of the other two. Go back and – unless. Unless, he wants us to give up their location."
"If they hear us, they will come on their own," Dimitri added, "We have no choice but to meet them head on."
"Alright. Be mindful we are outnumbered," Byleth shook his head, "I should never have split us up."
"We will be fine. Eyes forward."
Byleth moved up and let Dimitri through.
"Going to sell him off to us after all?"
"Do not assume I am going to play along with this," Dimitri said.
"Ah. Don't harm blondie. Do what you must to the mercenary, but the killing blow is mine."
Dimitri did not have his usual lance with him but carried a sword in case of emergencies such as this. He considered his skills shaky at best; however, he held Byleth's talents in higher esteem and knew their success depended on it.
"We need to stick together," Byleth said, "Wait for them to approach. I suspect his third man is waiting for us to get close enough."
"Then we need to take care of those two first."
"Precisely."
Shortly after this exchange, the two axe wielders approached, but one broke off to the right and the other stayed centered. Byleth moved up in anticipation of engaging with one. Dimitri stayed on his heels.
The bandit made the first move in attacking. His movements were clumsy overall, which allowed Byleth to dodge effortless and counterstrike.
He screamed as the blade tore into his flesh. The man was left alive, but only marginally so. Dimitri came in as backup and finished that one off, while Byleth waited to see how the other would proceed.
He moved around a blanket of trees, approaching the campsite.
"He is approaching Claude and Edelgard," Dimitri said.
"Yes. Looks like they had a fairly good idea of where they were."
The two of the appeared at the mouth of the opening.
"What was that screaming, just now?" Edelgard asked.
"Edelgard – look to your right," Dimitri pointed to the bandit approaching.
"Ah. I see. Well now, can we not have lunch in peace? Claude – "
"I'm on it," He moved in with his bow already in hand, "Nothing personal." He drew back and let the arrow fly at his sudden enemy.
"Dammit," The bandit yelled, holding the chest wound where the arrow sunk in. Then Edelgard came in with her axe as the bandit struggled to keep composed. She ended the bandit's life with a swing. Byleth's attention then turned to the bandit leader.
"There's still a lookout. Be careful where you step."
The boss simply shook his head, "If you want something done right . . ." Then steadily approached Byleth and Dimitri.
"If we turned to regroup, these trees would only make it difficult to get a clear line of him," Byleth said, "Unfortunately, I think it best we stay here for the moment. Those two can take that path down and ambush from the side."
"Which leaves just the lookout to worry about."
"Aside from the murderous bandit leader – unless he lied before and there's more than just the one we overlooked."
"We will have to wait and see. He is coming."
The boss laughed, "So, I was right in thinking you were close to all three. This really is my lucky day."
Byleth did not react.
"What's the matter? Afraid?"
Byleth looked up. He saw an archer in the tops of the trees.
"So, that's where you're hiding," Byleth pointed. Dimitri saw him as well.
"That was his plan all along. . ." Dimitri nodded, "What a coward's tactic."
"You don't live this long by playing by the rules. Now, prepare to die, kid."
The Archer readied his focus at Byleth and rained an arrow from above. While Byleth watched the arrow fly, the boss walked up for a combined strike. Knowing this was their strategy, Byleth dodged the arrow by jumping left, then immediately guarded for the incoming attack.
His were a more exact blow, but still slow. Instead of taking it, he jumped back out of the way. Claude and Edelgard hurried quickly to corner him from the left, but still had ground to cover.
"You're fast. Not that it will matter in the end."
"Look out," Claude yelled. An arrow flew passed from a direction Byleth did not expect. It grazed his arm, barely tearing cloth.
"There's more than one." Byleth concluded, relatively unfazed.
"I can see that." Dimitri replied.
Claude engaged with the archer closest to himself. Edelgard moved on ahead of him.
"Two archers at least. This could be difficult," Byleth said. He took the time to attack the boss, in hopes of ending the battle with him. He had more experience than the other two, and it showed. Byleth struggled to get in a fatal blow while also keeping himself out of arms reach.
Dimitri assisted while his focus was on Byleth and pierced from the side. While it connected, it was not enough to push all the way through the thick of the armor; it did, however, give Byleth the opportunity to get in a clean hit.
The boss staggered back. The archer who had his sights on Byleth lowered his bow.
"Tch. If you're gonna just fall, I'm out." The archer retreated, jumping to a nearby tree and removing himself from view.
"Worthless," The boss shook his head then spit a healthy mixture of blood and saliva at Byleth's feet, "You're not as easy of a target as I thought."
The boss ran back toward the stream, accepting his defeat. The archer who exchanged blows with Claude also left the battle.
Dimitri started to pursue but was stopped by Byelth.
"Are you really just going to let him go?" Dimitri questioned.
"The battle is over. Let's head back and inform my father."
"But he will come back for you. You heard what he said, right?" Dimitri pushed, more agitated by the threat on Byleth's life than Byleth.
"Undoubtably."
"Then why are you acting so casual about this?"
"This is not your concern. Come on," Byleth walked the path back up to camp.
"Not my concern?" Dimitri shook his head. The mercenary went back to his usual demeanor. Or had it even changed? Claude and Edelgard caught back up and she asked, "What was that all about?"
"Bandit patrols in the forest."
"I see," Edelgard said. They were back safely in their campsite and Byleth went on ahead.
"Huh," Claude scratched his head.
"What is it?" She asked.
"Did . . . either of you happen to catch his name?"
The three of them exchanged looks again. The captain may or may not have properly introduced his son and he certainly was not friendly enough to give it freely.
"I did not," Dimitri said. Edelgard shook her head and answered similarly.
"I do not believe I heard it."
Claude shrugged and they continued up the path. They found Byleth tending to the now cold stew. He lit another fire under it and added spices.
"Oh yeah. When we heard the commotion, we put the fire out," Claude said.
"Good thinking," Byleth said.
In a whisper so only Dimitri and Edelgard could hear, "So, the man is capable of praise."
"Hush," She scolded, then asked, "Is it safe to eat, still?"
"I'll go find my father. They wouldn't try anything bold with a few more soldiers around."
Edelgard nodded, "I see. I can go find him for you, if you would like."
"Do as you please," was the short reply.
"Aaand I will go with her," Claude grinned, "Buddy system and all."
Dimitri shot him a dirty look but was too tired to say anything. Off in in the distance, Claude said, "Yeesh. You know it's bad when you're the better company."
"Care to say that again?"
"Oh, certainly. Yeesh. You know it's bad when you're the better company," he repeated back in the same sing-song voice as before.
"I bet you will find that different once my house completely annihilates yours."
While they argued, Dimitri sat down at the log and caught his breath, but noticed Byleth hesitated in adding a certain spice, "How much heat can you handle?"
A considerate question, yet it was asked with such a stern face.
"I can handle some. A classmate of mine often likes his food spicier than the average person. I do not know about Edelgard. Or Claude."
He nodded and put the spice away. Then he threw in the vegetables Claude and Edelgard sliced up and mindlessly stirred the contents of the pot, with a glazed film over his eyes.
"Did you need anything else?" Dimitri asked.
"No. This should be sufficient."
"I see. Did you measure the ingredients out or did you just – what's the phrase? 'Eye-ball' it?"
"I didn't measure, no."
"I see. I've never been very successful without measuring cups."
"Hmm."
"Oh, do you want these back?" Dimitri saw the gauntlets and gloves they removed earlier still sitting on the log.
"Thank you," Byleth and Dimitri redressed the missing arm armor.
The conversation went dead. As the future king, he could not let himself be intimidated; however, that was his exact reaction to Byleth's lack of evident care to someone who would track and plot to kill him.
He listed potential topics to bring up but feared being met with irritation. Though he thought to himself, 'I should be able to handle small talk with everyone', he couldn't bring himself to start a conversation.
The more he thought, the less he figured they could have in common: differences in upbringing and experiences aside, they seemed to have strikingly different moral compasses.
Byleth periodically checked the trees and listened for footsteps. The chances of them being pursued were slim but he also understood the brash nature of bandits and thugs, so he refused to rule the possibility out. He sensed the awkward attention he received from the prince whose name Byleth had already forgotten. Not to be too impersonal, he also forgot the other two's names as well.
Dimitri found some inner strength and decided to push his concern from earlier, "What will you tell your father of the bandits?"
"They attacked us and then fled. That he could discern their location by the trail of blood."
Byleth's answer sent a shiver down Dimitri's spine. Instead of backing down, he asked, "Will you tell him about what he said? His plans of killing you?"
"Probably."
"I am glad to hear that."
"It would be advantageous to use his focus on me."
Dimitri hesitated before asking, "Advantageous in what way?"
"Rage is a blindness. He will certainly lose focus and falter."
'Rage is a blindness', Dimitri thought to himself. It struck a chord, and he did his best not to feel personally attacked. He decided to leave it be for the time being, "He could strike back at any moment. Does that not unnerve you?"
"I'll be ready." He said with lack of inflection.
Luckily, some of the knights came back with Edelgard and Claude, so his conversation was official over. Byleth left them to eat and met up with his father, knowing the campsite to be secure.
"So, I heard what happened. Didn't think they'd follow us so closely with all these knights around."
"You knew, then?" Byleth asked.
"I had a feeling we were being tailed but didn't know for certain. I've dispatched some men to clean up the mess you left in the forest and to hunt the rest of them down."
"These were different than the ones hunting them before."
"Yes. They're after us. None of those brats were harmed, right?"
"Right."
"Good. You can go back to babysitting. I want to move out in ten." Byleth nodded and walked away.
There were mercenaries at each opening and Claude, Edelgard, and Dimitri had lively conversation. They were mostly finished eating by the time he returned.
"Say, you aren't a half bad cook," Claude said, "This was pretty good. For road food."
No response. Claude just clicked his tongue, then carried back to the conversation with the other two. Byleth began to pack the equipment not in use. He broke down the pot, fastening a lid on it, and its holder.
"Aren't you going to eat?" Claude asked.
"No," He answered and cleaned the area – being somewhat hesitant on going back to the stream to wash the pot out, he figured he could wait until they completed traveling with the nobles and knights. The nobles watched him leave with a few bags, a fishing rod, and a partially filled pot and holder.
One of Jeralt's mercenaries saw the look on the kids' faces and laughed, drawing their attention, "The boss' kid got you stumped? He's always like that. Don't expect much from him socially, but on the battlefield or doing tasks like that – he's excellent."
"Saved me a time or two," One of the others also commented.
"You know what we call him, right?"
Claude, enjoying this gossip with lit up eyes, replied, "No. What?"
"The Ashen Demon."
"'Ashen Demon'?" Dimitri repeated.
"His face never changes. It's like looking into the depths of the void."
"That's the last image these bandits see sometimes."
"Good thing he's on our side."
"Boss doesn't like it when we call him that, though. So, keep that to yourselves."
"Anyone else here find it funny we know his battle name before his actual name?" Claude joked. Edelgard shook her head and finished her meal, refusing the idle gossiping. Dimitri was lost in what they were saying, replaying earlier events. Why did 'Ashen Demon' fit so well? At the same time, Dimitri hated it and could see why Jeralt would discourage using it.
"Oh, his name is – " The mercenary went silent, as if a cat stole his tongue, at the appearance of Byleth. How long had he been standing in the thicket?
An awkward stillness filled the air. No one dared speak another word of Byleth, nor did anyone have a topic to switch to.
"Father wants to start marching soon," He relayed. The three quickly finished, all wanting to escape this uncomfortable tension. They resumed the march back and carried on about life back home, the academy days ahead, and the thrill of the rivalry to come.