Imperial Year 1180, Garreg Mach Territory
My Dearest Helga,
The road to this Monastery is perhaps the most peaceful one I've seen since the contract in Brigid a few years ago. The students we are escorting are polite for the most part, and good enough conversation after they actually introduced themselves. Master von Reigan in particular appears completely at ease around myself and Amy, even if his smile doesn't reach his eyes.
Sir Alois was kind enough to let her ride on his shoulders for part of the way. He's a little loud, but seems a decent man. He even joined myself and the usual people for cards when we broke to rest.
He is terrible at cards. No, we didn't cheat. Honest.
Yours Always,
-B
I am starting to think that the reason that no one has attacked Garreg Mach is because they would exhaust themselves getting there. Byleth mused. An interesting method of defense, to be sure. Probably easily exploitable for a persistent enough foe though.
The small group had meandered its way down the winding mountain road up to Garreg Mach, passing through the two sets of watchtowers that defended the way to the Monastery. Jeralt and the Knights of Seiros led the way, followed by the Bronze Bears after them, with Byleth, Amy and the trio of students bringing up the rear. Whilst Remire Village was the nearest settlement to the Monastery, it was still a number of hours away by foot. And even then, most of the morning had been spent going uphill, passing by seemingly endless green, grassy hills that a child would no doubt love to roll down.
"Will this be your first time at the Monastery?" Dimitri's question drew Byleth out of his deep thoughts. "I'm sure one of us would be able to show you around."
"To my knowledge it will be, yes. And I thank you for the offer." Byleth replied. "I have little clue as to how long the Bears and I will be staying, however. Amy here will want to see the Cathedral. She loves churches for some reason."
"..That's kinda cute.." Claude admitted with a grin. "She seems like a sweet kid."
Said 'sweet kid' was cheerfully skipping a few steps ahead of them, singing to herself (even if it sounded like she only knew about half the words).
"She is." The Demon replied with an honest smile. "More than a handful sometimes, but most children are. I do worry about letting her grow up around a mercenary company, sometimes, though."
"I see." Edelgard broke in, almost eagerly. "I must inquire as to whether or not you'd consider lending your strength to the Empire. You are quite skilled for someone so relatively young, and-"
Byleth promptly cut her off. "With respect Lady von Hresvelg, but I am part of a Mercenary Company, and therefore I do not do solo contracts. You are more than welcome to hire the Bronze Bears as a whole, however. Although you would need to extend said offer to the Captain, and not myself."
"That offer is of course open to all of you." He continued "..Jeralt has not cared about where a contract comes from for sometime now." He offered a firm nod to Dimitri, who offered a thankful nod in return.
"I will be giving it some serious consideration." The younger man stated. "I thank you, Master Eisner."
"So, where do I send my request?" Claude joked. "Is there some Eisner Family Farm or something?"
"No, Master von Reigan." Byleth told him. "As I've spent my life travelling, I have never known a permanent residence. Your best bet would be to-"
"Wait. You've never had a home?" Claude paused. "...And you're how old?"
"I am twenty-three..?"
Before any of the now stunned students could comment on Byleth's statement, their thoughts were interrupted by an excited gasp. All eyes turned to the youngest of the group.
"Woah! Look at the pretty castle!" Amy exclaimed, excitedly hopping from one foot to the other and pointing at the Monastery ahead. "Look! Look Papa!"
"It is, isn't it?" Byleth let out a soft chuckle, and hoisted his daughter up into his arms. "And you do know Amy, that we're going in there, yes? You get to see what it looks like up close."
His daughter let out a giddy gasp, and promptly threw her short arms around his neck. "Yay! Thank you Papa!"
"You are very welcome, Sweetie."
He set her down, and she all but immediately bolted ahead to join Jeralt and the Knights at the front of the group as they passed through the main gates. Although she was innately curious about everything, she was ever one to follow the rules Byleth had raised her with, and running off in a strange place was definitely against those rules.
"...You're twenty-three and never had a permanent home?" Edelgard asked incredulously. "You're...not joking?"
"..That is correct." Byleth replied. Is it really that strange?
"And on that sobering note, I bid you welcome to Garreg Mach Monastery." Claude declared with a grin. "Seat of the Archbishop of the Church of Seiros, home to the Officers Academy, first rate fishing spot and pretty much Fódlan in a nutshell."
"..A first rate fishing spot, hm?" Byleth mused aloud. "Now you have my attention."
"There's a surprise." One of the mercenaries joked. "One mention of fishing, and the Demon is hooked.."
A few of the other Bronze Bears let out chuckles at his statement, and even Byleth himself allowed a good natured smile to form on his face. "Yes yes, I know Clark. I like fishing. I also like fighting."
"Alright, alright." The aforementioned Clark grinned. "I get the message, Demon. I'll stop."
"..Most appreciated." Byleth replied, almost cheerfully. "Now, if you fine people will excuse me, I ought to ensure my Daughter doesn't get lost."
And with that, the Demon jogged ahead. The Bears parted to allow him through, and soon he was strolling into a courtyard at Amy's side.
"Bit of a strange one, isn't he?" Claude remarked.
"Be more respectful Claude." Dimitri sighed. "He's a skilled warrior, and saved our lives."
Edelgard however remained silent as Claude and Dimitri continued to bicker, mulling over what the presence of the Eisner's might bring, especially now. Jeralt alone would be a concern, the Blade Breaker still commanded a healthy amount of respect after all, but the presence of his 'Demon' of a son too? She had seen how skilled he was in cutting down the bandits, and how obviously strategically minded he was. And then there was the child…
...She reminded Edelgard of her youngest sister.
Ser Alois had led the Eisner's into the main Audience Chamber of the Monastery. Amy held her father's hand tightly, and was glancing around with wide, curious eyes. Awaiting them, in regal looking robes and peaceful silence, was the Archbishop of the Church. Offering Jeralt and his son a firm, polite nod, and Amy a warm smile, Alois departed the chamber.
"...Lady Rhea." Jeralt eventually sighed in greeting, in as resigned a tone Byleth had ever heard from him. Despite their...differences, this roused a spark of genuine concern within Byleth. Jeralt was supposed to be grumpy. Jeralt was supposed to be stern. Jeralt was supposed to be confident. Jeralt was a devil at cards. He was not supposed to be worldweary. He was not supposed to be hesitant. Accordingly, the Demon put his guard up, hard. Anyone that made the Captain act like this was a potential threat, and Amy was with them.
"It has been a long time, Jeralt." Rhea spoke in a serene tone. "I wonder, was it the will of the Goddess that has brought you here?"
"Nope! The road up the big hill did!" Amy chimed in with a wide grin. Byleth fought back a grin as Jeralt covered his face. "It was pretty!"
Rhea, to her credit, let out a soft laugh. "I thank you for the compliment, little one. It warms my heart that you think of my home so highly." She turned her attention back to Jeralt. "I see the miracle of Fatherhood has blessed you. These are your children, are they not?"
"..No, actually." Jeralt sighed, and gestured to the Father-Daughter pair. "This is my son, Byleth and granddaughter Amy."
Byleth bowed respectfully, and Amy clumsily followed suit. Rhea cast her gaze over the youngest Eisner once more, and Byleth spied something flash in her eyes for barely a moment, before the Archbishop spoke again.
"...I see." She paused for a moment, and cleared her throat and addressed Byleth for the first time. "Do forgive me. It is rare that we have young children here at the Monastery. Some of our students may not know how to interact with your daughter properly."
"That is perfectly fine, Archbishop." I am uncertain why that would matter. "Amy rarely strays too far from myself or one of the Bronze Bears."
"It is good that you found such a loyal and trustworthy band of friends and allies." Rhea replied, before turning to Jeralt once more.
"Jeralt." She began. "You already know what it is I would ask of you, correct?"
"You wish for me to rejoin the Knights of Seiros." It was a statement of fact, and not a question. "...I won't say no, but I do lead a Company now...and I would not feel comfortable leaving my family to return to the Knights."
"..I have a proposition then." Rhea smiled. "Your Bears either join the Knights with you, or they may sign a contract with the Church. As for your son..."
"I have a different offer in mind for you, young Master Eisner." She once more turned to face Byleth, and held his gaze for a few moments.
"How would you feel about teaching?"
I must apologise for the delay on this one. I have recently changed jobs and I'm still settling into my new schedule. In other news, the first side story for DDaEP is up, so go check it out if you're following that story.
Also! Fun Fact: Amy liking churches is based on my Aunt (who apparently insisted on going into every church/cathedral she saw when she was little. So much so that my Grandparents started plotting routes to avoid as many as possible when they took her anywhere.). Given who Amy really is, I figured it'd fit.
