R:
Even though the Red Canyon was really close to Garreg Mach, we still woke up at the break of dawn. The only person who wasn't tired was Hubert. Edelgard tried to hide her yawn but we all knew that this was too early for this mission. Our professor still hasn't arrived yet, so we are just waiting near the gates. I see Caspar talking to Linhardt but he doesn't know that Linhardt is already asleep. Dorothea is resting her head on Petra's shoulder while Petra is reading some book. Ferdinand is staring towards the gate while trying not to fall asleep. Bernadetta was sleeping on Edelgard's lap which upset Hubert. I can't lie and say that I'm not tired. I'm pacing around the gate to keep my body from staying still. I can't blame my house for being tired.
After the tournament, we had a "celebratory get together", which meant that nobody saw a bed until it was midnight. My guess is that we only slept 3 or 4 hours. I can't get mad since I was also caught up in the moment. Hubert tried his hardest to remind us that we had a mission but nobody listened to him. Edelgard finally convinced him to just relax which led him to just shut his mouth. I don't regret it but I can't speak for everyone else.
After a few minutes, Byleth arrived with the same unreadable face. Sometimes it feels like he can't even show any emotion. Slowly, everyone got up to stand in a line to face him. He just stared at us which probably woke up most of us. Fear traveled through all of us as he finally opened his mouth.
"I heard that the guards received many noise complaints last night. They said many of the students were up almost all night. That wouldn't pertain to any of you, would it?"
I found it difficult to keep eye contact with him. This is making me more scared than the mission. If nobody says anything than maybe we would be off the h-
"Yes it would professor. All of us were up with the other students. I tried to tell them to leave but I was ignored."
We all shot a death stare at Hubert. He just ratted us out. Probably revenge. I was surprised that he didn't try to protect Edelgard. Maybe he is upset with everyone. Byleth walked closer to us and went to Edelgard who was at the end of the line. Edelgard was trying her hardest to not look away from him but I swore that I saw a light red hue on her face. Byleth started to speak.
"Is this true Edelgard?"
"Y-Yes it is professor."
"And what did you do last night Edelgard?"
"I umm. I merely conversed with everyone and the time slipped my mind."
Byleth just walked to the next person in line which was Hubert. Byleth didn't say anything and just stared at Hubert. Hubert didn't even move an eyelash. He, like Byleth, didn't show any emotions right now. Byleth then went to the next person in line which was Ferdinand.
"What about you Ferdinand?"
"I merely drank tea with some of my fellow students."
"Just tea?"
""Of course. I would never drink alcohol until I reach the age. I would never want to tarnish my family name."
I felt a cold sweat run down my face. Don't tell me Byleth heard about it. Byleth merely nodded and continued down the line. Caspar and Petra also hung out with the other house members. Linhardt was only reading a book while Bernadetta was using him as a human shield. She was trying to figure out how her tombstone will look like after the mission. Then Byleth made it to Dorothea. She and I were the only ones left.
"Dorothea."
Depending on her answer, I might have to tell him the truth. Since some of us are able to drink, Sylvain brought some alcohol. Sylvain, Mercedes, Hilda, Leonie, Lorenz, Leo, Claude (I don't think he was old enough to drink but who am I to judge), Dorothea, and me. We were the only ones that drank. The problem isn't that if we were of age or not but of the rules of the academy. Students, regardless of age, can not drink. I never asked but Sylvain must have either purchased some and hid them, or he stole them from somewhere in the academy. I thought we were being discreet but I guess if Byleth is asking us about it, then someone found out.
Everyone who drank never did anything bad. I learned that most of the nobles were lightweights but they only made a fool of themselves when drunk. I made sure Dorothea didn't drink that much since I didn't want her to have a hangover during our mission. It never ends well when that happens. I'm already an expert when it comes to drinking before a mission so I was fine. Another problem is that Edelgard doesn't know that we drank. We all drank away from everyone else just in case somebody told on us. I guess that didn't matter in the end since here we are. Dorothea shot me a look before she spoke.
"I went to go drink with some of the other students last night. Not too much but I still had a few drinks."
"Did anyone else from the Black Eagles join you?"
"No."
I gave her a confused look. Then again I shouldn't be that shocked since I was planning to do the same thing. I wanted to make sure that I would only get in trouble but it seems like Dorothea had other plans. Before Byleth could speak, I raised my hand.
"I also drank last night professor."
Byleth redirected his soulless eyes to me which made me almost flinch. Dorothea also stared at me but I kept my focus on Byleth.
"I know."
Huh.
"What?"
"One of the knights saw the whole thing. I know what everyone did already. That's why I was late. They had a meeting with Maunleu, Hanneman, and me. I just wanted everyone to admit what they did."
Usually when somebody tricks their students, they have a smile on their face. Not Byleth. He had the same face he had when he announced that he would be our teacher which was the same face he had everyday.
I started to feel nervous. I don't know what kind of punishment they will dish out at us but I just hope that it doesn't involve expelling us. To my surprise I asked the question.
"What happens to us then?"
"Nothing as far as I know. Lady Rhea just told me that once we come back from our mission that we report back to her."
All he did was make my suspicions worse. I turn to look at Dorothea who is giving me a weak smile. Byleth took a few steps back and made sure everyone was looking at him.
"Okay now that this is done, we can start our mission. To take down bandits that are currently in the Red Canyon. Let's go."
He walked forward which made Caspar and Petra move to make a path for him. Once he walked past the gate, we all followed suit. I turned my head to Dorothea so I could talk to her.
"Nice try but honesty is the best policy."
"Oh like you weren't planning to lie for me?"
My cheeks redden a bit as she caught me red handed. I ignored her question as I continued the conversation.
"In the end it doesn't matter. We got caught and that's that."
"True. I guess we are both trouble makers."
"Just like when were kids."
We both smiled at each other. I guess there's no question about it anymore. I know my answer.
Before I could continue to talk to Dorothea, the rest of our house started to bombard us.
"Wow, you guys drank last night. Do you normally drink?"
"I was most the surprsied by this. I did not know that Dorothea and Richard did the drinking."
"I can't believe you two. Why would you do such a thing? Especially you Richard."
The rest of the way was filled with questions and lectures. Byleth never spoke during our march but I would rather have him lecture us since it would be less loud than our house. I still had a smile on my face.
After an hour or so, we arrived at the Red Canyon. Once we were close, Byleth told us to stop talking as to not alert the enemy of our arrival. We stopped before a bridge that led to the bandits. We all had our weapons ready as Byleth led us to the bandits. Byleth stopped right before he walked on the bridge. He stared at it for a few seconds but before anyone could ask, he walked on it. I now understand why he was hesitant. The bridge made a loud noise once he stepped on it. I then heard the bandits shout.
"They're here!"
The bridge was narrow so it could only fit two people at a time. Byleth and I were at the front while Edelgard and Hubert were behind us. The bandits charged at us while we tried to get to the other side of the bridge. Everytime I killed a bandit, I would try to push them off the bridge so we could still have space on this narrow bridge.
Byleth and I finally made it across the bridge and the rest of our house followed suit. Byleth looked at me and started to command us.
"Richard, take Dorothea, Ferdinand, Bernadetta, and Petra with you. Go down the left bridge while the rest of us go straight. You guys will flank them."
I merely nodded at him. I looked at my team and we started to run toward the bridge. I started to order my team.
"Petra stay with me in the front. Ferdinand stick behind us while Dorothea and Bernadetta stay in the back."
Everyone nodded at me except Bernadetta. She was still shaking. I was surprised that she even made it this far without doing something wrong. As we started to walk on the bridge, I heard some footsteps behind us. I quickly turned around and I saw a mage behind us waiting for us to get on the bridge. We have nowhere to dodge and I can't get to him with everyone behind me. Before I could shout something an arrow flew right past my head. I once again turned around and saw a group of bandits charging at us from the front. One of them had a bow and was in the bushes while three of them attacked Petra and me. I heard a spell being used and I feared that the mage was going to attack us from behind. Right before my sword could clash with the bandit's sword I heard Dorothea's voice.
"Is this really part of the church's teachings?"
I couldn't check on them since the bandits came at us with full force. The bandits that greeted us at the first bridge were easy to take down but these guys are different. These bandits were more skilled. Petra and I didn't have much space to move around so we kept bumping into each other. At this rate we could get killed just because we kept getting into each other's way. I decided to tackle the bandit in front of me which caused me to land on the other side of the bridge. That gave Petra more space which helped her kill the bandits that she was fighting. Before I could get up Ferdinand used his spear to kill the bandit that I tackled. I quickly got up and before I could move my legs, Dorothea fired a spell at the archer in the bushes. He rolled out of the way and into the open. Once he finished his dodge he readied his bow. I knew none of us could make it to him in time before he could fire an arrow. Since Dorthea just fired a spell she would need a second to get ready for another one. I shouted at Bernadetta.
"Bernadetta get him!"
Even though I said that I still charged at the bandit with full speed. Petra joined but she was a few steps behind me. Ferdinand was a few seconds behind as he just started his sprint. I heard Bernadetta's bow string get pulled as I hoped that she was faster than the bandit. My hope is that the bandit would get startled by us charging at him which would make him mess up. Sadly this bandit was still as cool as before as he was ready to fire. My blade was only a foot away when I heard an arrow pierce through skin. The next second my blade went through him. My mind was racing as I didn't see an arrow on him. I checked my body quickly and I then turned to check on the rest of them. What I saw was disgusting.
Dorothea had an arrow in her chest. The bandit hit her before I could get him. She was still on the bridge with Bernadetta who still had her bow string pulled.
She never shot her arrow.
Dorothea's uniform filled with blood as I quickly reached her. Before I could say anything Bernadetta was sobbing.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I tried to shoot but-"
I didn't hear her as I held Dorothea in my arms. Her eyes were devoid of life. Her body as cold as winter snow. The arrow ht her directly in the heart. Her blood was the only warm feeling I had felt. Tears fell down my face.
"Dorothea!"
Why did this have to happen?
What did I do wrong?
All this training for nothing.
I let some die again.
I failed again.
I heard Perta cry behind while Ferdinand gasped at the sight. I could only look at her face. Nothing else mattered right now. Right no-
...
I decided to tackle the bandit in front of me which caused me to land on the other side of the bridge. That gave Petra more space which helped her kill the bandits that she was fighting. Before I could get up Ferdinand used his spear to kill the bandit that I tackled. I quickly got up. I felt strange. Like something was off. Before I could think more about it, Dorothea fired a spell at the archer in the bushes. He got hit by the spell but he was still alive. My eyes were frozen on Dorothea for some reason. I didn't know why. I heard the bandit grunt and try to get up but Petra already charged at him. She killed him before he could stand on his feet.
"Calm your heart and do not be worried about the killing."
I barely heard her as she whispered to herself. I quickly ran to her as everyone else regrouped. I doubted Dorothea. I don't know why I thought she couldn't do it. Maybe I'm trying to keep my image of her clean. I kept looking at Dorothea which made her blush at me.
"What?"
For some reason I could feel tears forming in the corner of my eyes. I quickly looked away and I cleared my throat.
"Okay so now we wait until the professor's team makes it past the bridge. Once they are on this side we attack the bandits from behind."
Everyone nodded at me and I gave Bernadetta a glare. I don't know why I did it but it happened without me wanting to. She jumped at my glare and she looked ready to run away. I quickly grabbed her shoulders and held her firm.
"Listen Bernadetta. And I mean listen. I want you to get a hold of yourself. I don't want anything to happen to us because one of us got cold feet. I know you're scared but please just breath. This is a serious mission. I need you to focus."
"But-t I can't do-o i-t."
"Yes you can. Just breath."
She started to shake again but I squeezed her shoulders which made her almost shriek. She finally made eye contact with me and she started to slow her breathing. She finally stopped shaking and she returned to normal. Well her normal.
"Okay just think of this as a quicker way to get back to your room. If you take down some bandits we'll finish quicker."
I tried to convince her with a reward but she still looked scared. Luckily everyone else came to help.
"Bernadetta, do not worry. On my name as an Aegir I promise I will protect you with my life."
"I will also be doing the protecting of Bernadetta. You have my word."
"That's right Bernie. We all care for you so we just want to make sure we all come back safe and sound."
Bernadetta's eyes kept shooting back and forth between the four of us. Her face turned red as she finally spoke.
"You guys are putting a lot of pressure on me. Ugh. I just want to go back to my room."
I let go of her shoulders as she readied her bow. It looks like we might have finally got her to try. I quickly turned around and saw that the rest of our house had already crossed the bridge. They were charging at the last of the bandits. I realize that we should start our flank.
"Okay everyone, follow me."
I quietly snuck behind the enemies field of vision as everyone else followed me. The bandit's leader joined in on the fighting so this should be the last skirmish of the mission.
"Okay, Bernadetta and Dorothea, stay hidden and attack once we get close to the bandits. The rest of us will join the rest of the house."
They nodded and Petra, Ferdinand, and I started to attack the unsuspecting bandits. I finally saw an arrow hit a bandit which put a smile on my face.
L:
I woke up with a headache. I don't know how Claude did it but he convinced me to celebrate last night with the other houses. My memory of the night is hazy for some reason. The last thing I remember is that Hilda and Claude dragged me to some forested area with some of the other students.
I try to get up but there's something holding me down. I noticed that there was an arm on my chest. I turn my head to see another person in my bed.
A girl.
I nearly screamed. How did this happen? Did I? I move my legs and I finally realized that I was naked. I never sleep naked. I also touched her leg and I realize that she was naked too. I try to move again but this time her arm held me down.
"Mmm. Can you stop moving so much Leo?"
AN:
Yahello! I was in a weird funk last week but now I feel great. Hopefully you'll like this chapter. Sorry for the short chapter. Unlike the other mission, this one is based off the game which is not very long so I did what I could. I don't know how old people need to be able to drink in Fodlan but I made it 18. Now I will like to reply to some of the comments/reviews I got since last time.
Ablegem: Hopefully I kinda answered that last chapter. Please feel free to call out anything I do mention or mess up. In mind I feel in the blanks but obviously if I don't write it down you guys won't know about it.
Saber1: Thank you for telling me. I don't mind fixing/changing things during the story. I want to improve as a writer so any comment/review is appropriate.
AiKokoNoot: Sorry for distracting you. If it makes you feel better I decide to write this story instead of doing homework so twins.
VGBlackwing: Sorry for taking awhile to answer you but I don't want to add more people who aren't already in the game. On the other hand you did give me an idea for something else I'm writing which will hopefully be done by next week where I will ask if people would want to submit their own OCs. It's not a fire emblem story so sorry if that was what you wanted.
Thanks to everyone else who commented nice things to me. You guys give me reason to keep on writing. Any comment will make me happy. Probably. Anyways thanks for reading this story and have a wonderful day.-Omas125
