Chapter 21: Sleepless Watcher.
Mortis frowned as she stood at the centre of the lobby within the shabby tavern, one eye keeping a close watch over her trunk, the other slowly going over the barren features of the lobby.
"Room?" A hoarse voice asked, catching her attention.
"Correct," Mortis repeated. "One bed."
The man behind the counter grinned, revealing several filthy teeth in the process. "The only room available is for two."
"Why is that?" Mortis asked, incredulous. "Are there many lone travellers this time of the year?"
"No sweetie. The girls last night said that you would be with a boy."
"Oh?" Mortis asked. "And they described me in detail?"
"They were accurate, too," the innkeeper said with a smirk. "Arrogant. Dressed like a boy. Why don't you wear a dress darling? You have such a good figure."
"My partner will not be joining me for at least one night. Unless there's some sort of discount for two nights in a double room, I don't want it."
"Why so hostile, dear? Surely they are friends of yours."
"They aren't," Mortis snapped. "One is a spendthrift hanger-on, and the other is a pathetic little cur unworthy of my time."
"So bitter. Stop frowning. You'll get wrinkles."
"I. Don't. Care." Mortis snarled. "Get me a single room before I head to the tavern on the other side of the river."
"You won't get there before someone gets that little trunk of yours. Bandits have been everywhere these days, and Duke Gloucester doesn't take crying girls well."
"Is that so?" Mortis asked, lighting a orb of fire in her hand. "Will he console their crying mothers when I burn their sons to ash?"
The innkeeper flinched at the fire that came dangerously close to the ceiling. "A mage?"
"Will he take it well when you claim to him that a single mage torched your entire hovel with you still inside of it? Will he even believe you or care?"
The man took a step back as he reached behind the counter. "Let's not be hasty here. Your quarrel is with the girls upstairs."
"Correct. And by annoying me, you have made yourself my enemy," Mortis said. "What measure of recompense do I get for my time? Why should I step back from violence? It's not as if I have a good reason."
The man flinched as he tossed a key to the floor. "Second door to the left. Just take it."
"Throw in a bath. With hot water."
"Right away," he stammered. "Hot water, towels, the whole experience."
Mortis sneered as she turned away from the whimpering coward behind the flimsy counter.
The town was bustling even as Indech moved to stretch his legs as he stepped away from the carriage.
"I suppose we'll part ways here." Indech said as he gently laid the injured man over his shoulder, turning back to shake the hands of his travel partners.
"Are you sure?" The man asked, his face concerned. "I mean, I'm not sure that you have enough money to find a place to stay."
Indech laughed and shook his head in turn. "I have a sister in town. She'll be able to help me."
The woman nodded as she exchanged a glance with the man. "Regardless, thank you for helping us along."
Indech shared her nod. "I wish you safe travels regardless."
The man nodded as he turned away, the woman waving gently before she turned back to her husband.
"Are we all packed up?" Chilon asked as he nodded in the direction of his forces, meeting three pairs of eyes in turn.
"Thales ordered that we destroy some of our less important equipment to make evacuation faster." The lead soldier offered in response.
Chilon nodded. "What did he order destroyed?"
"Some lower end crafting materials, less valuable coins, armour. Heavy junk."
Chilon nodded as he watched the outpost they had hid in catch fire, a single soldier hurrying out as flames engulfed the building.
"What the hell were you thinking?" Chilon barked at the man as he stormed forward, a hand holding the surprised man in place.
"Sir," The man stammered. "I can explain."
"That house was on fire and you didn't evacuate from it. Are you trying to get yourself killed?"
The man shook his head. "I forgot something inside."
Chilon scoffed. "And it was important enough to risk being reduced to cinders?"
The man grimaced as he took a small step back. "Ah, well. I think it's important."
Chilon swore as he waved the convoy of soldiers forward, the group marching toward the rest of the camp as Chilon and the soldier moved forward.
"Show me this something," Chilon snarled. "I want to make sure it's actually important or I'll give you latrine duty for a month."
The man glanced at the roaring inferno behind him before he slipped out a dagger from the folds of his clothes.
"An Athame knock off?" Chilon asked, disappointment evident in his voice. "You almost turned yourself into barbeque for an Athame knock off?"
The soldier winced as the convoy before them turned to watch the show.
"I think it might be an original." The man stammered. "I mean, I found it in the forest at-"
"Enough." Chilon snarled. "There are only three original Athames, and they are all accounted for."
"But what if the third wasn't destroyed?"
"You want to cause Spite grief at a time like this?" Chilon asked, turning his gaze to the unfortunate man. "You want to haunt him with the death of his sister?"
"I-" the man replied, his hands raised as if to shield his face. "I wasn't thinking straight."
"Yes." Chilon said as he slipped the dagger into the folds of his uniform. "That much seems obvious."
"Shall we continue?" The lead soldier in the convoy asked, taking to steps closer to the pair.
"One moment," Chilon replied, turning to survey the six men before him. "Each of you, take one package and hand it to this worm. He's not carrying anything"
"Wha?" The man asked, his face stunned.
"You wasted my time, you almost got yourself burnt to a crisp, and you held up your unit. All for a damn fake Athame."
"It's not fake!" The man protested.
Chilon growled as he launched a vicious kick, knocking the man's legs from under him. "You're getting latrine duty once you get back to Shambhala."
"What items should we give him?" One of the soldiers asked. "Something light?"
"Preferably heavy and useless." Chilon spat. "Not unlike him."
One of the soldiers snorted at the joke. "That's a funny one."
"Save it for later," Myson said as he approached the group, nodding to Chilon as he passed. "Portal is opening as we speak."
"We're leaving?" Chilon asked.
"That's right," Myson replied. "Aranea-erm, Pittacus is taking care of opening the portal this time."
"Do we wait for Spite before we discuss our current situation?" Chilon asked. "Regarding the scions of Seiros?"
"Yes, that is correct," Thales said as he arrived behind Myson. "We will discuss this matter when we return to Shambhala and meet with Periander. And not a moment sooner."
"Portal is open!" A voice shouted as the group began to surge into the darkness of Zaharas.
"Come," Thales said. "Let us depart for Shambhala."
"So how far is this village of yours?" Yurius asked as he hurried toward the trio standing at the edge of the bridge, face concerned as he slowed down before the group.
"It's not that far actually," Lorenz replied. "It's about three farmer's fields away from here. We should be able to walk there without many issues."
"Good. Mortis is not enjoying having to wait."
Leonie turned her head at the words. "She lost a king's ransom in paying for everything along the way, and she just wants to let it all go?"
"Let me rephrase that," Yurius explained as he took a deep breath. "Mortis thought the gold would be ready practically upon arrival. She didn't think it would take two or three days for it to come to us."
"I suppose you are right about that," Lorenz replied. "Still, with the aid of my father, I think we should be able to recover at least some of the gold today."
"Why do you think they did it?" Yurius asked. "Why would they steal the gold from the empire?"
Lorenz shook his head. "I cannot tell you that. I don't know myself. But it is greatly ignoble for soldiers under my father's employ to harm civilians, especially if there can be a peaceful resolution afterwards."
Yurius nodded as he turned away. "I'm glad we didn't bring Mortis then. She doesn't particularly care if someone has to die to accomplish her goals."
"Why is that?" Ignatz asked. "That sounds horrifying."
"Might makes right for her," Yurius explained. "Might and fear."
"She sounds like Hubert doesn't she?" Leonie offered. "Didn't you mention that she met him before?"
"That's right, is she related to Hubert in any way?" Lorenz said. "How did you meet?"
"Hubert contracted us for work," Yurius admitted. "Me and Mortis were sent to ah, assist him."
"I don't want to know about what you did, do I?" Leonie asked.
"Best that you didn't." Yurius muttered as he turned his gaze back to the road.
"You've done enough." Ingrid said as she looked at the small grave meant for the blackened armour of Catherine.
"Is it deep enough?" Ashe asked as he stood, wiping a sheen of sweat from his brow.
"It is." Ingrid said as she took what might have been a gauntlet from the pile of blackened steel. "Nobody will disturb it for a thousand years at this rate."
"Ingrid?" Ashe asked, his tone halting and fearful. "Am- am I a monster?"
Ingrid felt a flash of emotion fly through her body, her face hardening as a second flash of emotion flew through her core.
"When Douglas mentioned that everyone had darkness inside of them," Ingrid started. "Was he talking about this?"
Ashe swallowed at the words, but nodded regardless. "He watched me bludgeon Catherine to death. He- he had to mean that...right?"
"When- when I heard about Glenn, I wanted to do that too," Ingrid admitted after a long moment, her fingers absentmindedly brushing away soot from the armour plate in her hands. "I wanted to burn Duscar to the ground. To slaughter every last one of his murderers with my bare hands."
"But you didn't do that." Ashe said, standing wide-eyed before her. "You never said anything. Not to us, not to Dedue."
"And yet Dedue was the one to stand with Dimitri. Right to the bitter end," Ingrid said, her eyes meeting Ashe's eyes. "He was more loyal to Dimitri than any of us."
Ashe swallowed when he heard the words. "I- I wonder if there was something we could have done to stop him, to show him the truth of the Church."
Ingrid swallowed as she looked down on the battered plate of armour still in her hands, the unmistakable image of the white dragon visible despite the damage done to the plate.
"When I was a girl, I always wondered what the dragon was supposed to represent. I never thought it could be that- thing."
"Ingrid?" Ashe asked, his voice uncertain. "Were you there to see- well, the Umbral Beast?"
"The one you took down with the Ashen Wolves?" Ingrid asked, her voice filled with surprise. "No, I can't say that I did. Rhea had it burned away, didn't she?"
Ashe swallowed. "It- it's too similar to the Immaculate One. Not as large, but still a monster nonetheless."
Ingrid nodded before she placed the first armour plate into the hole.
Ashe slowed for a moment before taking a piece of the armour away from the pile, handing it to Ingrid.
"When this is all over," Ingrid said. "I want to ask Seteth about all of it."
"Seteth?" Ashe replied, his voice full of surprise.
"Well, Cichol," Ingrid admitted after a moment, taking another plate from Ashe as she spoke. "Perhaps he could have provided some sort of insight on everything."
"But where did he go?" Ashe asked. "It's not like we know where he is."
Ingrid shook her head as she placed the last piece of charred armour within the grave. "That's why I said when it's all over. Then perhaps we can ask him for the truth. Perhaps then we could go to find him, wherever he's chosen to hide with Flayn- erm."
"When it's all over," Ashe said, as if trying to convince himself of the words. "Can I get you to promise that we'll find the truth when that time comes?"
Ingrid closed her eyes before she answered. "But of course."
"Not much further now, my friend," Indech assured his companion as he turned away from the sun.
The man over his shoulder groaned in response, his eyes taking a long moment to open.
"Where- where are we?" Gilbert asked, grimacing at the burning sun.
"We'll be in Garreg Mach soon." Indech replied. "Still, this town is very different from when I was last here."
"Garreg- Mach?" Gilbert asked, his voice taking a long moment to recover between the words. "Why?"
Indech frowned as he pulled the heavy man into a side entrance, resting him at the foot of a statue. "My sister will be in the town. Now, be good and stay here, I'll be back with help soon."
"You are the ambassador?" The rider asked Sylvain as he stepped forward, the two men sizing one another.
"I am Sylvain Jose Gautier, General of the Imperial Army."
The rider nodded as he dismounted. "Very well. Many of our people have told us that the cruel kingdom has fallen, and we wish to see it burn with our own eyes."
"You're late," Douglas replied. "The capital has been torched for weeks."
The man nodded as he turned to survey the charred city in the distance. "Regardless, this is merely a message to your people."
"Message?" Sylvain asked.
"We will no longer accept the occupation of our territory as it has been," The rider explained. "The agreements Rufus came to are null and void."
"We don't want Duscar," Felix observed. "There's not enough there to warrant an army keeping watch."
"Good," The rider replied. "So long as your emperor understands that, we will have no problems. Where is he?"
"The emperor is not here. She left for the imperial capital not long after the capital fell." Sylvain replied.
The rider nodded as his tips turned into a frown. "I will inform my people of this development. If there is nothing else we need to talk about, then I'll inform you of their decision by nightfall."
Felix nodded. "Alright then. We'll station a guard here to ensure that you'll be able to get a message to us no matter the time of day."
"Very well then," The rider said as he mounted his horse again. "We shall speak soon."
"Welcome to our humble washer shop." The woman behind the counter said with a large grin. "How may we help you?"
"Two shirts and riding pants." Mortis replied, her face turning to disgust at the sight of the fat woman.
"That's alright darling. Sixty gold."
Mortis turned her head to watch the woman, her lips curling into rage at the words. "I've already dealt with one set of highway robbers so far."
The woman puffed her chest out in rage. "Are you saying that my prices aren't reasonable?"
"Yes." Mortis replied. "That would be a fair price if I had sent you two times the laundry and demanded it done by daybreak. I'm not demanding that. Fifteen gold. Take it or leave it."
The woman growled. "Pay sixty or there will be trouble!"
"Go to hell." Mortis muttered as she turned on her heel, storming from the store as the woman behind her fumed.
The assassin paused as he slid behind a stall at the small fishmongers market, watching his target as he slowly bit into the out of season apple he had plucked.
"Fish! Fresh fish!" A man shouted far too close to his ear, practically deafening him.
The assassin took a glance at the man's fish, reeking in the hot sun despite the cold water that had been poured over them many times over.
"Fresh fish my ass," his partner whispered to him in Dagdan. "Place stinks like a mass grave."
The assassin was going to agree with his partner before he noticed his target shifting away, as if he was intending to flee through Enbarr's more shady alleyways.
"How long have we been stalking this guy again?"
"Too long," the assassin replied. "But orders are orders. Hawthorne ordered a public execution, he's getting one."
A loud shout came from behind them, the unmistakable ship that the condemned would be thrown from when the time came slowly moving into a slot on the harbour.
"Alright then, showtime." The assassin said with a grin.
"Yeah yeah, we get to break a few bones, but no killing him. I actually listen to briefings remember?"
"That's not the point," the assassin replied, his face turning to a frown as he looked away from his partner.
"Wha?"
"The other guys are beating the tar out of him. Too fast of a death. We're supposed to drown his miserable hide, not beat him to death."
The other assassin glanced at the half dozen figures towering over their target, the crowd growing larger by the minute. "Hey, those aren't our guys! What the hell are they doing?"
"There's more of them too," the assassin muttered. "We're not going to get to him alive at this point."
"Not to worry," Hawthorne said as both assassins spun around, staring at the aged crime lord. "I apologize for not informing you sooner."
"What's going on?"
"I asked around if there was anyone interested in taking a pound of flesh from him." Hawthorne explained, a small smirk turning the corners of his lips up.
"And what was the result of that?" The second assassin asked.
"He cheats at cards. I informed the town guard of his presence and they've spread the word."
"So he's not going to be drowned to death?" The second assassin asked.
"No. He's not," Hawthorne replied. "Still, the coffin will be useful for disposing of the body."
Mortis sighed as she slipped into the warm bath, closing her eyes and relaxing for the first time since leaving Spite's office so many days prior.
"Is she- asleep in there?" A voice asked, breaking her moment of silence.
Mortis remained still in the tub, her eyes opening tiny slits as she observed the two girls sneaking into the room.
"Oh thank Seiros she's fallen asleep in the tub," Maya said as she glanced over. "Come on, let's grab her purse and go shopping."
"I'm not sure that's a good idea," Evi squeaked in protest. "I mean, what if she notices us?"
"She's asleep and you need more than two sets of clothes. Heck, she has three! And that's just her travelling on the road!"
"She'll be angry if she finds out though, can't we find something else to do while we're here? Something that doesn't involve stealing from Mortis?"
"She won't find out," Maya promised, laughing as she walked over to the pile of clothes next to the bathtub. "Come on. We'll be able to buy lunch, dinner, and all sorts of cute things!"
"I- I just said I wanted a new pair of shoes!" Evi protested. "Couldn't we just take a few coins and explain it to her?"
"You have any idea how embarrassing it is for her to not pay for us? Friends are supposed to do that for friends!"
"We aren't friends though," Evi protested.
"Then why were you in a carriage with them?" Maya asked. "Why were you next to them at the campfire when we found you?"
"Well I-" Evi replied. "I- erm."
"Are the two of you done yelling?" Mortis asked. "I'm quite done with you shouting at me."
"Eeeek!" Evi shrieked. "She heard us! She heard us!"
"Yes, I heard you," Mortis sneered. "Now settle down before I get a headache."
"Did you tell the front desk that you weren't paying for our room?" Maya shouted.
"Yes," Mortis shot back, her eyes turning to glare at the blonde girl. "That is correct. I did just that. And no, I'm not paying for your room."
"Why not? Aren't we friends?" Maya asked. "We did so much for you! A room doesn't cost that much!"
Mortis sighed as she rose from the bath, water spilling from her head. "Evi, why don't you tell Maya about your precious brother? You were so devoted to him before. Surely you have a lot of stories to tell."
"You have a brother?" Maya asked, turning to Evi. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Had," Mortis replied with a sadistic smile. "I killed him."
"You WHAT?" Maya shouted, turning back to Mortis, shock on her face.
Evi spun around, her face fearful as Maya seized her arm.
"Evi! What's gotten into you?"
Evi didn't answer, tearing her arm free as she fled from the room.
"Mortis! What the hell was that about?" Maya asked.
"Ask her." Mortis snorted as she sunk back into the bath, her eyes closed as she watched Maya chase the fleeing form of Evi.
"We'll be out of the ravine soon." Shamir offered as the carriage slowed to allow the woman to speak.
"Is the area ahead empty?" Hubert asked. "We went all this way to avoid detection."
"It is," Shamir replied. "We'll make good time to Fort Merceus."
"Good," Hubert replied. "So long as we reach Fort Merceus before the sun sets, we'll avoid having to sleep in the carriage again."
"Is there a reason you want to avoid that?" Edelgard asked, looking at Hubert strangely.
"Bernadetta used my lap as a pillow," Hubert explained with a sigh. "It made sleep rather difficult at night."
"I see that you're much more gentle around Bernadetta," Byleth observed. "You've changed like that."
"Don't remind me," Hubert said with a shake of the head. "She began screaming in terror in the morning when she woke up."
Byleth winced. "Did she wake you?"
Hubert gave Byleth a look of exasperation. "Yes, she did."
"Why don't you take a nap now Hubert? The road appears to be clear." Edelgard offered.
"Lady Edelgard, I will never fall asleep in your presence." Hubert promised.
"Very well then," Edelgard said. "I order you to sleep."
Hubert opened his mouth to protest.
"You heard her," Byleth said firmly. "Close your eyes and sleep."
Hubert swallowed before he squeezed his eyes.
"This is humiliating." Hubert admitted after a long minute.
Byleth and Edelgard remained silent.
When Shamir came back, Hubert had long since fallen asleep.
"Hello son," Count Gloucester said evenly as Lorenz stepped into his office. "I see that you have brought your friends here. Please, sit down and have some tea."
Lorenz glanced at the forms of his three companions, before his father gestured to a set of chairs before him.
"Please, allow me to serve tea for you and your friends, I trust you have travelled a great deal."
"I understand father, but I'm afraid this is not a personal visit."
"First refreshments, then we can talk about your needs here." Count Gloucester
Lorenz nodded before he glanced at Yurius, still fidgeting at the door.
"Relax, I know that Mortis is worried for you, but father is big on tradition."
Yurius nodded as he took a seat in the chair closest to the door, settling his hands in his lap.
"Tea and refreshments. Excellent." Count Gloucester said, nodding to a maid as a small table was moved forward toward his four guests.
"Father, I do apologize, but we are in a hurry. Yurius here is very busy, and his partner has been quite impatient."
"The good things in life require time, my son." Count Gloucester replied as he moved to join the group, smiling as a set of warm pastries were set before the group.
Lorenz nodded finally, "Yes father, of course, but for them, time is of the essence."
"Is there a reason you are so busy?" Count Gloucester asked. "Surely, with the war over, you can afford to take a breath, perhaps come home for some time."
Ignatz swallowed while Leonie shifted her gaze to Lorenz.
"Father, there is another- how should I say this?"
"There is another enemy out there that we need to confront," Ignatz blurted out.
There was a flicker of light in the eyes of Count Gloucester, but the man nodded. "Is my help required? Is that why you have returned home?"
Lorenz swallowed as he glanced at Yurius, "Not quite, father. While on our trip here, I was forced to borrow a great deal of money from Yurius and his partner Mortis, both of whom I need to pay back quickly."
"Why is that?" Count Gloucester asked, his eyes finding those of Yurius.
"We're parting ways very soon," Yurius replied, his eyes shifting to the other three before he turned back to the count. "My partner is very impatient about the delay."
"Ah," Count Gloucester replied. "Is this in relation to the gold that was taken from the vaults?"
Lorenz nodded. "Indeed father, it is."
Count Gloucester sighed as he sank back into his chair, his eyes watching those of his son.
"My lord?" The voice at the door asked. "Is it a good time?"
"Please set the table." Count Gloucester replied without taking his eyes off Lorenz.
"Of course," the maid replied, warmly smiling at the sight of Lorenz. "Welcome back, master Lorenz."
"Carla, it's good to see you again," Lorenz replied. "I trust your tea is still delicious as ever?"
The maid chuckled in response as she moved to pour tea.
"Thank you Carla, that will be all," Count Gloucester said as the maid placed the tea jug on the table. "We can pour tea on our own terms."
"If you should ever need anything-"
"No Carla, this should be sufficient," Count Gloucester replied. "We shall not want for more."
The maid nodded as she stepped away with a slight bow.
"Back to the matter at hand then." Yurius said as he glanced around the table, his fingers drumming against the armrests of his seat.
"Do take a sip of your tea please." Count Gloucester replied with a small glare.
Yurius paused at the words, his eyes narrowing as he took a slow sip.
"Father, is this a practical joke?" Lorenz asked, his face scrunched in horror. "How long have you been drinking this abomination you call tea?"
Count Gloucester turned to glare at his son in turn. "And you think this hasn't been happening all across Fodlan over this war?"
Yurius grimaced at the so called tea before he put his cup back down on the table. "Count Gloucester, we really must be going. Is there a location with gold anywhere?"
Count Gloucester turned to his son quietly as he closed his eyes. "There is a particular issue regarding the gold."
"Is something wrong?" Lorenz asked. "Is there a bandit gang somewhere?"
Count Gloucester turned and grimaced at the words. "No. This is not an issue about bandits."
"Father, why did the villagers take the gold?" Lorenz asked. "I'm glad the situation did not end in bloodshed, but why did they see such a need to loot the town?"
"It's a difficult story," Count Gloucester replied. "But the villagers who have worked on our farms have had a great deal of difficulty of late, particularly with the imperial decree that demobilized most of the conscripts."
"I believe the emperor herself signed that," Lorenz said. "Why is this such a problem?"
"Because we do not have the food supplies to feed them," Count Gloucester replied. "While our workforce has returned, the imperial tithe has not eased, and more workers mean more mouths to feed."
Lorenz opened his mouth to protest, mere seconds before his father raised a hand to stop him,
"Lorenz, please, let me finish," Count Gloucester replied. "A few days ago, there were rumours that a number of black market merchants were attempting to sell foodstuffs to peasants at exorbitant rates."
"Are the stories true?" Ignatz asked.
"I cannot confirm the truth of the stories, but it is certainly possible that some unscrupulous merchants or quartermasters in the empire may have supplies they are willing to barter for a fortune in gold."
"That's evil." Yurius replied, his voice hard.
"It's disgusting and unacceptable behaviour, especially at a time like this." Count Gloucester replied.
"So what do we do about them?" Lorenz asked, turning his eyes to his companions. "Can we find them and bring them down?"
Count Gloucester frowned. "Son, I'm not sure what you mean by that."
"Father, my companions here can hold their own in a fight, if we can find them when they're trading for goods, we can seize their possessions for the farmers and bring them before the emperor in chains."
Count Gloucester nodded in response, his lips pursing as he set his tea down onto the table.
"Very well then," Count Gloucester said at last. "There is to be an exchange on the edge of our territory tonight."
"Of course," Lorenz said with a smile. "I will go."
"No, you are too recognizable as my son." Count Gloucester said in turn. "Your presence will alert them that you are onto them."
"He's right," Leonie pointed out. "This is your land after all. Everyone here knows who you are."
"Where is this meeting being held?" Yurius asked, his face serious. "And should I bring my partner in as well? She could provide additional support."
"Mortis would just screw everything up," Leonie scoffed. "Don't like the idea of her throwing fireballs around all that much."
Count Gloucester nodded. "I have no doubt your friend would be capable, but I can simply bring some of my house guard to act as support. And if it is true that your friend is a mage capable of wielding fire, then it will be too risky to have her close to dry food supplies."
"Will you come with us?" Ignatz asked, his tea settled upon the table.
"I will arrive once the food is safely in the hands of my people. I want to know just who is behind this crime at such a dark hour for our people."
Yurius nodded as Leonie rose to her feet, the table pausing as she grinned.
"Should we get into position now?" Ignatz asked, glancing at Leonie.
"No, that would not be a wise idea," Count Gloucester replied. "There's a great risk that they will suspect an ambush and move to either flee with their goods or attempt to destroy the goods."
"So when do we go?" Yurius asked. "Mortis might abandon me outright if I take too long."
Lorenz raised an eyebrow. "Even forsaking all the gold she's owed in the process?"
Yurius shrugged. "It was a threat that she uttered. Two days with no sign of me and she'll leave town."
"Come nightfall, when the heat has largely dissipated, there will be a convoy going to the location with the gold you seek." Count Gloucester interjected.
"Once we grab the ringleaders, I'll split you some of the gold that you're owned, and you can get back to Mortis." Lorenz promised.
"Oh no." Ignatz groaned.
"What's wrong?" Lorenz asked.
"Maya and Evi have probably spent all of Mortis' gold by now."
Lorenz sighed as he buried his face in his hands, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Right. I probably should get you some extra for what the girls have spent while our backs were turned."
The summer heat gnawed at Flayn as she threw yet another worm into the water.
"I'll catch a delicious fish." Flayn repeated to herself, her eyes glancing at the the empty fish pail sitting next to her as she waited for a bite underwater.
"Oh mother, how could you do this for so long?"
Even as Flayn complained, she felt a tug and began to reel the fish in, her arms clinging to the rod for dear life as the fish fought against her.
"Get- in here!" Flayn shouted as the fish pulled her line taut, her face straining with effort as she was suddenly pulled forward.
Her voice failed her as the fish promptly dragged her into the water.
Indech flinched when his niece disappeared under the waves, his jaw falling for a moment before he followed her below the water.
The water was cold and refreshing, a stark contrast to the heat of the midsummer day.
The smaller form of his niece was fleeting, sinking ever deeper in the clear waters.
A moment of panic sprung through the form of Indech. Had he scared his niece? Was she embarrassed at not being able to catch fish?
A roar filled his ears as he watched the form of his brother enter the water, his face a mix of rage and panic.
For a moment, their eyes met, and Indech watched his brother's eyes widen in shock as his jaw dropped.
Then a burst of air bubbles covered Cichol's face, and the man was forced to surface.
Indech in turn pushed himself deeper, chasing the stream of bubbles that lead to Cethleann.
She had almost reached the bottom of the water area, filled with far more broken fishing hooks, reels, and rubbish than Indech had ever seen.
Her eyes were still open when she saw his face, the whites of her eyes widening ever more as Indech wrapped his arms around her.
He surfaced quickly, his strong legs forcing the water to bend to his will.
At the surface, he took a long gasp of air as Cethleann coughed in his arms.
"Stop!" A voice shouted. "That's my brother!"
Indech glanced over his shoulder, nearly having his eye stabbed out by a spear in the process.
A half dozen men and women crowded the dock behind him, each pointing a weapon at him.
"For the last time, stop!" Cichol pleaded as he was hauled from the water.
"Where's Flayn?" A voice roared from behind the crowd, the question becoming ever louder as several of the soldiers at the harbour turned, their faces filled with horror as they realized that they were in the way.
Then a hulking blonde monster rammed into the crowd, sending no less than three bodies sprawling into the water.
"Please. Stop." Cichol pleaded. "That's my brother. He's friendly."
In response to the words, the blonde monster grinned, reaching an arm low.
"Take Cethleann first, would you?" Indech said as he positioned his niece before him.
"Let's get you dried up ok?" An orange haired woman asked Cethleann as she was hauled from the water. "Mercie! Let's not let Flayn catch a cold!"
"Are you alright?" Cichol asked as Indech pulled himself from the water.
"I apologize for startling all of you," Indech replied as he shook the water from his hair. "Will Cethleann be alright?"
Cichol winced. "I'm sure she'll be overjoyed to see you, but please, my name is Seteth."
Indech blinked at his brother. "Cichol, are you sure you're alright? Where is our sister?"
Cichol exchanged a nervous glance with a green haired man off to the side. "Linhardt, is there somewhere we can talk? Preferably in private."
"Of course. Our medical wing is empty with the exception of Hilda." Linhardt replied, taking a long moment to stare at Indech before he shook his head.
"Oh, I almost forgot," Indech said. "I came here with a wounded soldier. He's going to require medical attention."
"Where is this man?" Cichol asked.
"I left him by the western entrance. He's probably going to need a great deal of healing."
"Mercedes?" Cichol asked, turning to the tall woman.
"I'll see to it." The woman named Mercedes said firmly as a heavy blanket was wrapped around Indech.
Indech nodded to the blonde giant as the three men who had been bowled into the water climbed out, one laughing, two shaking their heads in disbelief as they glanced at him.
"Come along now." Cichol said with a slight shake of the head, his usually sophisticated demeanor compromised by the fact that he resembled a drowned rat.
"So what have we learned today?" Ingrid asked the men at the dining table as they devoured a late lunch.
"The Duscarians are friendly," Sylvain said. "They're looking to work out an agreement with Edelgard to respect their territory."
"I trust the burial went off well?" Douglas asked from the corner of the tent.
"It's just another part of Fhirdiad's long history now." Ingrid confirmed.
"Do any of you have plans for the afternoon?" Felix asked.
"Nope." Sylvain said in turn.
"None at all." Ingrid said, Ashe nodding absentmindedly beside her.
"Nope." Caspar said with a mouth of bread.
"Caspar, do finish your food before talking." Ingrid chided.
"Sorry," Caspar said as he downed his food. "Anyhow, no I've got nothing in the afternoon."
"When are we going to deal with our prisoner?" Felix asked.
"Oh right. I forgot about that." Caspar said.
"I think we all did," Ingrid admitted. "Do we have an ideal time or place?"
"Or questions too." Douglas piqued up.
"We'll need all three before we start." Sylvain said.
"Then let's get started then." Ingrid said, her appetite lost.
AN: Chapter 21 done. Still, it's not a particularly interesting chapter. Think of it as intermission to buy hot dogs or popcorn. The next chapter should be a great deal more interesting, as it's the end of the second arc.
Next Time:
Reality Ensures
Awkward family reunions
The many uses of Athame
Introducing the Ashen Wolves
Ferdinand is fine
