Chapter 28. The burning of Gloucester. Part 1.
"Yuri, you look like something's happened," Hubert said as the lilac haired man rushed into the central dining hall. "Was there something that happened with the prisoner?"
"Is the Professor here?" Yuri asked. "Mortis mentioned a name."
"Which was?" Hubert asked.
"Adrasteia," Yuri said, watching as a moment of shock flashed across Hubert's face. "You recognize the name."
"I do," Hubert said. "Lady Edelgard and the Professor have stepped out. I must inform them."
"Should I return to my post?" Yuri asked. "She said she was going to sleep, but I don't trust her."
"Dorothea, Ferdinand," Hubert barked, the couple glancing up at his words. "I have something for you to do."
"What do you need us for?" Ferdinand asked as Hubert gestured for the two of them.
"Our prisoner is being held in the Charon Tower," Hubert said. "And she's just mentioned Adrasteia."
Dorothea flinched, "Are you certain?"
"She did," Yuri said. "I'm not sure what the name means, but it's clearly something important."
"Adrasteia was the name of the Agarthan magister who conducted blood reconstruction procedures on the Imperial Royal Family," Hubert explained. "Thus, I must ask you, in what way did Mortis speak of him?"
"She said he was angry when I failed to assassinate Bernadetta," Yuri said.
Hubert's eyes narrowed, "So you believe Adrasteia to be responsible for ordering the attack?"
Yuri nodded, "There's only so many people who know why I was there, and a Shambhalan lord should not be one of them."
Hubert nodded, "I will find the professor. The three of you will guard her door. Ensure she does not leave her tower until we get there."
"Professor!" Hubert called as he ran through the halls of the Officer's Academy, his eyes scanning each hallway for the presence of Byleth and Edelgard.
"Hubert, you don't usually run," Edelgard said as she turned around. "Catch your breath, and then we can talk."
"My apologies, Lady Edelgard," Hubert said. "The prisoner has mentioned Adrasteia."
"What?" Edelgard asked, her attention rapt. "Where is she now?"
"Still within Charon Tower," Hubert replied. "Yuri, Ferdinand, and Dorothea are on their way."
"Then we shall join them," Byleth said as he turned to Hubert. "Lead the way."
"Of course," Hubert said as he turned, his pace brisk as he navigated the corridors of Garreg Mach.
"Was there any context to her mentioning Adrasteia?" Byleth asked Hubert as they hurried down a deserted corridor.
"Yuri interpreted her words as that Adrasteia ordered the assassination attempt on Bernadetta," Hubert explained. "And that he was furious when the plot failed."
"Interesting," Edelgard said. "Count Varley was amongst the Seven, yet it seems that even his own Agarthan allies hated him enough to order an assassination."
Hubert nodded as he turned a corner, "Yuri, Ferdinand, Dorothea."
"Doesn't look like anyone has stepped out after Yuri," Ferdinand said. "Still, we haven't opened the door yet."
"Very well," Hubert said. "Let us move forward as one."
Mortis sighed as she leaned out of the window, the warm breeze refreshing on her bare shoulders.
The door behind her burst open, the wooden door slamming against the opposite wall as Mortis spun around, her eyes taking a moment to take into account the stunned face of Hubert von Vestra.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Mortis asked as she flushed a deep crimson.
"Adrasteia," Hubert snarled. "You will tell us about him."
"And you thought to break into my room, while I was undressed, was the time to get your answers?" Mortis shot back. "If you had any decency, you would have waited for me to get dressed first."
Hubert grimaced, "I will step out. You will be dressed in two minutes or we will drag you out."
Mortis growled at Hubert as Dorothea pushed her way through the door.
"Hubie, stand outside. I'll help her get dressed."
Mortis swallowed as she studied the woman before her.
"Dorothea Arnault," Mortis observed as the door swung shut. "You're not really here to help me dress, are you?"
"I am," Dorothea promised. "Hubie's not particularly sensitive."
"I'm aware of that," Mortis replied as she sat down on the bed, "If I had my magic with me, I would likely have obliterated him."
"Regardless, I'd like to thank you for saving Seteth," Dorothea said, a smile on her lips. "Can I call you Mori?"
Mortis laughed at the comment as she shook her head, "I prefer Mortis."
"Do you need help with those clothes?" Dorothea asked.
"I'm not sure I can this maid outfit on within a two minute timeframe," Mortis replied. "I suspect that was their intention when I was handed this set."
"I like your boots," Dorothea commented as she leaned against the wall, "Did you get them in Enbarr?"
Mortis shook her head, "I couldn't tell you. It was a gift."
"Your time's almost up," Hubert called through the door.
"Oh shut it, Hubie," Dorothea shot back. "It's not like the clothes you gave her are easy to put on."
Mortis grimaced as she slipped on her boots, "Do you think I look presentable?"
"You're wearing a chemise and a pair of boots," Dorothea observed. "Still, I can get Ferdie to give his jacket to you."
Mortis nodded as Hubert pounded on the door, "Alright then, I suppose I'll have to be satisfied with that."
"But- you… you died." Ingrid whispered. "I- we watched you die."
"How rude," Aranea countered. "You would say such things to my face?"
"Aranea, that's enough," Spite said. "I said you were allowed to observe, not conduct my interrogation for me."
"I'll ask them what I want," Aranea replied.
"Conduct your own interrogation later," Spite shot back. "Let me do my work, and then I can have you toy with them."
"You were never any fun." Aranea replied. "And what if they want to ask me something then?"
"We'll cross that bridge when we get there," Spite replied."Now, allow me to get back to work."
"What is it you want to know from us?" Ingrid asked. "The ones who came here should already have told you what you wanted to know."
Spite paused, his eyes watching the woman before he spoke, "I'm not sure what you mean by that. I would rather you clarify what you said."
Ingrid swallowed, "Our- prisoner said that her group had abandoned her and stolen her horse."
"And that was why you were able to take this prisoner in the first place?" Spite guessed. "Because her companions had abandoned her?"
Ingrid nodded.
"Like we were saying earlier," Aranea said. "A cabal fight."
"Looks like it," Spite said. "Is the Immaculate One still in Fhirdiad?"
"Rhea- Rhea is still where she fell," Ingrid said. "We haven't been able to move the body."
"Very well," Spite said. "And how were you kidnapped from your camp?"
"They ambushed me," Ingrid said. "But- I don't remember after that."
"Then what is it that you remember?" Spite asked.
"They said they rescued me from the dragon," Ingrid said.
Spite nodded, "Lord Ubert, can you confirm this?"
Ashe swallowed, "I- I found a piece of Ingrid's armour in the city. It would seem that the dragon carried her off."
Spite closed his eyes as the scene played out in his head, "Aranea, any questions?"
"None," Aranea replied. "Like you said, I'll conduct my own investigation later."
"Very well then," Spite said, his eyes boring into the two before him. "You two have one question each. Use it wisely."
"Are you Kronya's brother?" Ashe blurted out.
"Such a simple question," Spite answered. "And an irrelevant one. Are you certain that's what you want to go with?"
Ashe paused before he nodded, "I want to know that."
"So be it," Spite replied. "Yes, I am Kronya's brother. What of it?"
"What do you intend to do with the information we gave you?" Ingrid asked.
Spite snorted, "My peers in the Septet wish to visit a particular dishonour on her corpse."
"Look, I'm just the messenger," Aranea shot. "I didn't want anything to do with it. Thales and Solon were the ones who proposed it."
"Solon?" Ashe asked, suddenly aware of the conversation.
"What of it?" Spite asked. "Ah, right. You've met him before."
Ashe swallowed, "You said you were Kronya's brother, right?"
"Are you deaf?" Spite asked. "Yes, I confirmed that a mere minute ago."
"Kronya- she died," Ashe spluttered, falling silent as a murderous glint flashed in Spite's eyes.
"Yes, I'm aware that your party slew my sister," Spite hissed. "And yes, I want to kill you for it, but I understand that you may be more useful alive."
"What?" Ashe asked, stunned. "Leonie struck Kronya last, but she didn't kill her!"
Spite's eyes narrowed, "Pinelli?"
"He's telling the truth," Ingrid protested. "Leonie hit her last, but she didn't kill Kronya."
"So what did?" Spite asked with a scoff. "What, did a bear appear from the woods and devour her?"
"No-" Ashe said. "Solon killed her."
Spite paused turning to Ashe, "Pardon?"
"Solon ripped her heart out," Ashe explained. "Said he was sending the Professor to the forbidden realm of Za-Zahara?"
"Zaharas," Spite whispered, his face growing pale. "The Forbidden Realm of Zaharas."
"Enough about these lies," Aranea snarled as she pulled Spite away. "Guards! Take these two away. We're done with them."
"Tell us about Adrasteia," Hubert said as he towered over the woman in the chair.
Mortis met Hubert's gaze before she inched her chair back, the legs scraping against the floor as she did so.
"Enough," Edelgard said as she stepped forward. "Hello Mortis, it's been a while."
"Edelgard von Hresvelg," Mortis replied. "I see you're doing well."
"Tell us about Adrasteia," Edelgard said.
Mortis shrugged, "Where do you want me to begin?"
Edelgard blinked, "You are an acquaintance of his, are you not?"
Mortis nodded, "And what of it?"
"Tell us about him then," Edelgard said. "I'm sure you have a great deal to say."
"Very well," Mortis replied. "Adrasteia is forty five years old and is a member of our ruling Septet."
Edelgard narrowed her eyes, "You're toying with us."
"You have me alone in a room in my underwear," Mortis shot back. "Hardly a time for me to be playing silly games."
"Mori, tell us about what Adrasteia is doing now," Dorothea said with a disarming smile.
Mortis shook her head, "I couldn't tell you, even if I wanted to. I last had contact with him at the Bridge of Myrddin almost three days ago."
"Why did you lose contact with him?" Edelgard asked. "Is he still at Myrddin?"
Mortis gave Edelgard a strange look, "The machine I was using to communicate with him was destroyed as I broke through the rebel blockade."
"And without this machine, you can't contract Adrasteia?" Hubert asked.
"I still can write a letter to him," Mortis replied. "Still, I doubt I can get it sent to him in time."
"Where would this letter go?" Hubert asked.
"I always knew where he was living," Mortis replied. "So it would have to depend on which safehouse he was in."
"How many of these safehouses were there?" Hubert asked.
"Four," Mortis replied. "Still, all of them have either been destroyed or ransacked."
"And these are?" Hubert pressed.
"The residence of Cornelia Armin in both Fhirdiad and Arianrhod," Mortis replied with a smile. "As well as safehouses in Derdiru and Enbarr."
"So he's familiar with Cornelia Armin as well," Hubert concluded.
"Both of them in fact," Mortis replied.
"Both?" Byleth asked, his eyes turned to the woman before him. "What do you mean by both?"
"It is said that Cornelia Armin went a sudden personality shift one day," Ferdinand reasoned. "Perhaps that was when the first one was replaced by the second."
Mortis shook her head, "No, that wasn't the case. There were two Cornelias, not three."
"So why did you need two of them?" Edelgard asked. "And why were they changed?"
"Why don't you bring her experiment in?" Mortis asked. "I think she would want to hear this."
Edelgard grimaced as she turned away, "Yuri, would you get Hapi for me?"
"Brother!" Maya cried as she leapt at her brother, slamming into him as her arms found their way across his waist.
"Maya?" Raphael blurted, freezing in place, his dinner forgotten. "What are you doing here?"
"General Kristen?" the soldier behind Maya asked. "We have dire news from the Great Bridge of Myrddin, do you know where the Regent of Garreg Mach is?"
"Linhardt's gone to bed already," Hilda said as she turned to the soldier. "Still, the Professor is here."
The man nodded, "Where is he? This news is very important."
"He's with us," Yuri said as he interjected into the conversation. "Hapi, the Professor wants to tell you something."
"What is it, Yuri-bird?" Hapi asked. "What does Chatterbox want with me?"
Yuri grimaced. "It has something to do with Mortis."
"Huh, Frostbite, alright then. Let's go."
"Edelgard? Professor?" Yuri asked as he stepped into the room. "There's a soldier here to see you."
Edelgard exchanged a glance with Hubert as the Minister for the Imperial Household turned around.
"I'll see to this," Hubert said. "Continue on without me."
"No, let him in," Byleth said. "We should all hear him out before we act."
"Alright then," Hubert said. "As you say."
"So be it," Byleth said as he turned to the door. "You may enter."
The man nodded as he entered the room, taking a moment to realize that a third of the Imperial High Command stood in the room with him.
"What is the message you have for us?" Hubert asked.
The man blinked as he looked at Mortis, "Did Lady Mortis not inform you of the rebellion at Myrddin?"
Hubert exchanged a glance with Edelgard, "We were informed, yes, but I would like to hear your report."
The man cleared his throat, "Count Gloucester has taken three hostages, and has blockaded the Great Bridge of Myrddin. Rebel forces consist of his household troops and a strong militia force."
"Have you engaged in any skirmishes with the rebels?" Ferdinand asked.
The man shook his head, "Lady Mortis broke through the southern blockade during her breakout, but we have had no other combat with them."
"What orders have you left your soldiers still at Myrddin?" Edelgard asked. "Gloucester County has a considerable amount of cropland that we will require for the winter months."
The man nodded, "Our forces will not engage unless we are attacked by Gloucester's forces, but I'm unsure of what they might intend in the future."
Edelgard closed her eyes, "Very well then, you are dismissed."
The man saluted before he hurried away from the room, shutting the door behind him.
"I told you so," Mortis said. "What need was there for me to lie?"
"You could have been luring our forces into an ambush," Hubert pointed out. "Indech has claimed that a task force of your soldiers attempted to kill him."
"Ah, and you believe we are superior to your warriors?" Mortis asked, an eyebrow raised. "I'm flattered, truly flattered."
"Enough," Edelgard snapped. "Tell us about Cornelia and what she has to do with Adrasteia."
Mortis turned her head to look at Edelgard, "The first Cornelia Armin had ambitions to be one of Shambhala's ruling Septet, and she sought to subvert the blood of the Four Apostles by bending it to our will."
Hapi closed her eyes, her hands clenched into fists as Yuri placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Regardless, the original Cornelia's experiments ended in abject failure," Mortis said. "Her attempts to create a weapon were successful, but nobody, even to this day, has ever figured out a way to counteract her original experimentations."
"And how is this first Cornelia connected to Adrasteia?" Hubert asked.
"In the time Cornelia wasted building a useless weapon, Spite perfected the Blood Reconstruction formula," Mortis replied. "Cornelia was ordered to dispose of her failed experiment."
Hubert glanced at Hapi, "Since Hapi is still here, I assume this process never happened?"
"Correct," Mortis replied. "She continued her experiments in secret until she was found out and subsequently executed by Adrasteia and the second Cornelia Armin in the fall of 1171."
"And who was this second Cornelia?" Hubert asked. "How familiar was she with Adrasteia?"
Mortis raised an eyebrow, "You slew her in Arianrhod."
"We did," Hubert said. "And how familiar was she with Adrasteia?"
"They're twins," Mortis replied. "I would suspect they know one another quite well."
"Twins?" Edelgard asked. "Adrasteia and the second Cornelia Armin are twins?"
Hapi opened her eyes, "And what was it that she did to me?"
"The second Cornelia Armin attempted to reverse the magics of the first," Mortis explained. "Still, as I understand it, she figured you were a lost cause."
Hapi swallowed, "Then why did she do what she did to me?"
"To alleviate boredom," Mortis replied. "You were never her first priority in Fhirdiad."
"So what was?" Edelgard asked.
"Watching over your mother, in fact," Mortis replied, looking over to Edelgard. "And convincing her to… help us with a problem."
Edelgard swallowed as Hapi turned to run, Yuri hot on her heels.
"What does my mother have to do with any of this?" Edelgard asked, her face pale.
"I have two questions for you," Mortis replied. "Firstly, why do you think you were the last child out of eleven to suffer blood reconstruction? Adrasteia wasn't going down a list by age, nor was he pulling names out of a hat."
Edelgard took a step back, "You mean-"
"Second, why was it that in the aftermath of the Tragedy of Duscar, your mother's corpse was never found?"
"No-" Edelgard whispered. "No- she couldn't have."
"Because your mother sold her husband and her second family out for a chance to save you," Mortis said, her eyes boring into Edelgard's eyes. "Because she fed the souls and bodies of your siblings to Adrasteia's rituals for the smallest chance that it would spare you the agony of blood reconstruction."
Edelgard stared at Mortis for a second longer before her legs gave out, her eyes rolling into her skull as Byleth dove for her.
"Lady Edelgard!" Hubert cried, all pretenses of interrogating Mortis forgotten as he rushed to Edelgard's aid.
"We'll finish this later," Byleth hissed as he lifted Edelgard from the position on the ground. "We're done for the night."
Dorothea nodded as he grabbed Mortis by her shoulder, forcing the woman to stand as Byleth and Hubert carried Edelgard away.
"Where is everyone?" Sylvain asked as he dismounted, wincing as he stretched his legs.
"The sun is barely up," Felix pointed out. "I don't know, maybe people are asleep?"
"Well, that's one possibility," Sylvain said as he yawned. "Well, let's find Linhardt so we can report to him, and then maybe we can get some sleep."
"Whatever you want to report to him, you may report to me," Hubert said as he stepped from a side door.
"No, thanks Hubert, it's Linhardt who has control over the troops-" Sylvain said, turning to Hubert. "Hold on- Hubert, I thought you were in Enbarr."
"We arrived two days ago," Hubert replied. "What are you doing here?"
"There's a suspicious army currently occupying Conand Tower," Sylvain said. "We came down here to secure an army to dislodge it."
"Is this true?" Hubert asked Felix. "Where did you find information about an army occupying Conand Tower?"
"We captured one alive," Felix said. "She said there was an army occupying Conand Tower."
"You captured one what alive?" Hubert asked as he waved the two men forward, the three moving to enter the halls of Garreg Mach.
"An enemy," Felix said. "The same bastards as Cornelia."
"Cornelia Armin?" Hubert asked.
"That's right," Sylvain said. "Said Cornelia was related to Kronya and some guy named Spite, said this Spite and Cornelia were twins."
Hubert narrowed his eyes as he turned around, "In that case, I have something to ask you."
"Oh?" Sylvain asked. "What is it?"
"You'll see."
When Byleth felt Edelgard stir, he tightened his hug against her, the two of them spending a long moment in the morning light.
"I've been thinking," Edelgard whispered, her voice tense. "It all makes sense now."
Byleth remained silent as he pressed his lips against Edelgard's forehead.
"My mother-" Edelgard started. "Adrasteia's words. They all make sense now."
Byleth inched closer, pushing away a stray lock of hair from Edelgard's face.
"I'm sorry," Edelgard said, pushing away Byleth's arms, forcing herself from the bed. "There's a rebellion that threatens to tear all we have worked for to pieces, and I'm wasting time over the past."
Byleth grimaced as he climbed from their shared bed, silent as he watched Edelgard dress.
"Are we ready to go?" Edelgard asked as she tossed away a coat from the depths of the closet.
Byleth closed his eyes as he moved closer to Edelgard, the face of his father flashing through his mind.
"Professor?" Edelgard asked again, her voice quiet.
Byleth brought his arms around her waist, pinning Edelgard into place as the first tears fell.
"Dear?" Edelgard whispered, her voice stunned.
"Let it out," Byleth whispered.
"Professor?" Edelgard gasped. "We need to get to work."
"El," Byleth stated, his voice gentle. "We swore an oath to share every joy and every sorrow."
"I know," Edelgard whispered, her head bowed. "I- I feel like I've lost her all over again."
Byleth nodded as they sank to the ground, "Every time I learn something about Jeralt, I see him in a new light. Every comment from a soldier, every village he visited. They all had something about him I never knew."
"I-" Edelgard whispered. "What if I'm like her?"
"I don't believe that," Byleth said. "Because I know you would sacrifice yourself before you let harm come to those you care for. You wouldn't hide behind the bodies of others."
Edelgard nodded, "If I-"
"No ifs," Byleth said. "I have faith in that."
"Boss?" Talos asked as Spite turned his gaze to the other soldier.
"Good morning Talos," Spite replied. "What is it that you need from me today?"
"Lord Solon has arrived," Talos explained. "He's demanding a meeting with you."
Spite narrowed his eyes, "Is that so?"
"He says it's very urgent," Talos replied. "And a matter that he wishes to speak to you immediately about."
"Very well then," Spite replied. "Where is he right now?"
"Lord Periander," Solon said, his tone frigid. "I see you are hard at work."
"My forces have encountered forward scouts from the Adrestian Empire," Spite explained. "We aim to leave this blasted tower by nightfall.
"The job will be done in due time," Solon replied. "Tell me, Lord Periander, what is your analysis on this debacle?"
"I've explained my theory to my lieutenants before. Any of them will be happy to brief you on the matter." Spite said. "Was there any other reason you wanted to speak to me?"
"Indeed," Solon said. "The presence of your agents in the hands of the rebel Count Gloucester has been deemed too high of a risk to let play out."
"Very well then," Spite nodded. "What has been decided?"
"You will retrieve your two agents from the territory of Gloucester," Solon stated. "You will also determine if any of the animals have learnt of the location of Shambhala, and if so, you will eliminate them."
Spite narrowed his eyes, "Very well then. What forces have been seconded to me for this mission?"
"You will be our… Coryphaeus during this mission," Solon stated. "You will be granted two squadrons of soldiers or the services of another member of the Septet."
Spite nodded, "What of this operation?"
"I will personally oversee this operation," Solon said. "So long as all other matters are in line, there will be no problems with a different member of the Septet leading here."
Spite nodded, "I will take time to decide which squads on hand I will take into my mission."
"So be it," Solon replied.
"Lady Aranea?" the soldier asked as he approached the tent.
"It's Lady Pittacus to you," Aranea corrected. "What is it that you need?"
"Right, sorry. Lady Pittacus," the man stammered. "Lord Solon has arrived at the camp."
"Solon?" Aranea asked, her eyes narrow. "Are you certain?"
"Yes, he was speaking to Lord Periander when I spotted him."
Aranea nodded, "That's certainly a change of plans, but thank you for letting me know."
The man nodded as he hurried away.
"Solon is alive?" Ashe whispered, his eyes wide.
"I'm alive, aren't I?" Aranea asked, her voice dismissive. "Why not Solon?"
"But- what about Kronya?" Ingrid asked.
"I'm afraid not," Aranea replied. "There was not enough material present to permit that particular resurrection."
"And why was that?" Ingrid asked.
"Thales brought enough material to bring me and Solon back, but I don't think he intended for Kronya to be brought back."
"So her soul is still down there?" Spite asked.
Aranea spun around at the sound of her brother's voice, "Well, the cat's out of the bag isn't it."
"My orders have changed," Spite said as he glared at his sister. "Now I have to go find Gloucester and slit his throat."
"Did Lorenz do something?" Ashe asked, his face nervous.
"No," Spite replied. "I'm referring to his father, Count Gloucester, not your friend."
"What happened?" Ingrid asked.
"Well, for starters, he's declared a rebellion against the Adrestian Empire," Spite said. "And oh, he's taken several of your friends hostage."
Ashe swallowed, "Then what are you going to do?"
"Enough," Spite said. "You don't need to know that."
"What is it that you intend anyhow?" Aranea asked.
"Gloucester has three hostages that are of no interest to us," Spite replied. "I'm going to leave him with five."
Aranea raised an eyebrow, "These two?"
"Who else?" Spite asked. "Still, I've been granted permission to take two battalions or a member of the Septet."
"And you want me," Aranea finished. "How touching."
"What are you saying?" Ashe asked.
Spite turned to the younger man and frowned, "You're coming with us. Get up."
"Where are we going?" Ingrid asked.
"You'll see," Spite replied.
"I told you already," the man said to the woman on the ship. "I'm not exactly comfortable with this."
"Oh cheer up," the woman said. "This is a training exercise, not an actual expedition."
"Mom, please, I already promised the Professor that I'd never return to Fodlan again."
"Yes, and to be recognized as a good king, you'll need the respect of your men," Tiana von Riegan replied. "Besides, it's not like where we're going is going to be occupied."
"The last time anyone went there, there was a bandit warband there," Claude protested. "And a cursed Hero's Relic."
"Lovely," Tiana replied. "If you want to be recognized as king, you'll have to be feared before you can earn any respect."
Claude grimaced.
"Claude," Tiana reminded her son. "Will you be of any use to Fodlan as the next king if nobody respects your rule?"
"No," Claude replied. "I- I just didn't want to come to blows with the Empire so soon after Derdriu."
"Sweetie," Tiana chided. "If none of the other Beys or Pashas respect your crown, then what's stopping them from breaking any treaty you set up with your precious Professor?"
Claude closed his eyes as he nodded, "I understand Mother."
Tiana laughed, "Cheer up son, by no means should you need to spill blood this campaign, not unless you take to hunting game."
"Right," Claude said. "As you say mom."
"Is that her?" Hubert asked as Mortis was dragged forward, the Agarthan sorceress glaring at Hubert.
Sylvain swallowed as he looked down at the woman before him, blinking as he turned back to Hubert, "What?"
"Is this the woman you saw with Cornelia in Fhirdiad all those years ago?"
"Sylvain Jose Gloucester," Mortis hissed. "The last time I saw you, you were trying to look up my skirts."
"Yep, that's her," Sylvain confirmed, wary of gossipers. "Though she wasn't against wearing clothes then."
Hubert nodded, "Yuri and Shamir have already been assigned to guard her, but I wish to add you as a third shift."
"Why do you need me?" Sylvain asked.
"Two guard shifts are too long," Hubert replied. "Fresher guards will make a difference if she tries anything."
"What do you want me to do then?" Sylvain asked. "If she tries anything?"
"She is too valuable an asset to kill outright," Byleth said as he entered the room, nodding a greeting to Sylvain as he entered. "Still, do what you must to ensure she does not escape us."
"Hey teach," Sylvain said as he yawned. "Sorry, we rode here all night."
Byleth nodded, "What's this report about an army at Conand Tower?"
"One of theirs," Sylvain said, pointing to Mortis. "She said something about a bias."
"A bias?" Edelgard asked. "Is your source biased against them?"
Mortis shook her head, "Bias is a member of the Septet."
"What do you know about this Bias?" Edelgard asked Mortis.
"Why would I tell you more?" Mortis asked. "It's not like I get anything out of it."
Edelgard grimaced, "Hubert, make her talk."
Hubert grimaced as he pulled a dagger from the folds of his cloak.
"Is that- Kronya's?" Sylvain asked, taking a step back from Hubert.
"It's mine," Mortis shot back.
"Wait-" Felix said. "Our captive said only some guy named Spite and a Mortis had access to a real Athame."
"Ah," Mortis replied. "It seems like I've forgotten to introduce myself. My name is Mortis, pleased to meet you."
"Who is this Spite then?" Hubert asked.
"Another name for Adrasteia," Mortis said. "There's three things he answers to."
"Adrasteia, Spite and what else?" Hubert asked.
"No, nobody calls him Adrasteia anymore," Mortis scoffed. "Spite, Lord Periander, and Addy."
"Addy?" Hubert asked.
"A cute nickname by his sister," Mortis explained as she turned around the room. "Sort of how your father used to call you El."
"El!" Byleth shouted as he grabbed at his wife, her fingers wrapped around Mortis' throat. "We need her alive!"
"Lady Edelgard!" Hubert shouted, grabbing at Edelgard's other arm. "Please!"
"You-" Edelgard snarled at the woman below her, "You- have no idea."
"Edie!" Dorothea pleaded as she ran through the door. "Stop it! You're killing her!"
With a growl, Edelgard tightened her grip on Mortis, throwing Hubert off with a twist of her shoulders as Mortis spasmed under Edelgard.
"Get Alois!" Hubert shouted as he climbed off Byleth. "Now!"
"Teach?" Yuri asked as Mortis went limp, her arms crumpling to the ground as Edelgard strangled her. "What the hell is going on?"
"Edelgard," Byleth pleaded as he grabbed at her, his arms wrapped against her midsection as he threw himself back, Edelgard landing square on his body. "You're better than this, please."
"Edie, what happened?" Dorothea asked as she rushed over, her eyes looking at the unconscious form of Mortis on the ground.
"We'll explain later," Hubert said as Edelgard's breathing returned to a mangled gasp. "Get Lady Edelgard to somewhere quiet, and send for a medic."
"Let's go," Byleth said as he stood, Edelgard in his arms. "There's a lot that we need to talk about."
Hubert nodded as the room emptied, the stunned Sylvain giving one final glance at the unconscious woman sprawled on the ground.
Hubert glanced at Mortis before he left, taking a moment to press two fingers against the flushed skin of her neck, sighing as he felt a frenzied heartbeat under the woman's skin.
"And to think I once admired you," Hubert muttered as he retracted his fingers, a look of disgust on his face as he left the room.
"Solon," Spite said as he approached the other man. "I've made my choice."
"And who are these two?" Solon asked, gesturing to Ashe and Ingrid.
"Ransom," Spite replied. "I'm leaving Gloucester with additional bargaining ability in exchange for the two of them back."
"And how did you come into… possession of these two?" Solon asked.
"Last night, one of my patrols captured them," Spite said. "They appear to be scouts operating out of Fhirdiad."
"And why was I not informed of this?" Solon asked. "This is clearly very important information."
"You never asked," Spite replied. "From what I understand, you asked for my presence immediately upon arrival and for nothing else."
Solon grimaced at the words, "So be it. What are the squads you will take with you?"
"I'll be going with him," Aranea replied. "There's little I can do here."
"And what of your mission, Lady Pittacus?" Solon asked. "Have you found the documents required?"
"Agastya Periander kept his notes within Vault December within Shangri-la," Spite said. "Shelf four three six, middle row."
"Ahh," Solon said. "I had forgotten you were a librarian once."
"He was my direct predecessor," Spite nodded, "Upon his death, I personally made the trip to Shangri-la to place the notebooks there."
"I see," Solon said. "Very well, your mission is approved."
"Vito," Spite barked. "See to it that Lord Solon is aware of the soldiers who are here to harvest."
Vito saluted his superior in response.
"Let us depart then," Spite said. "Shouldn't be too far of a walk."
"Where are we going?" Ashe asked.
"Gloucester Country," Spite replied as Talos hurried up to the group.
"Are these all the harvested units?" Spite asked as Talos handed the man a burlap sack, the senior magister weighing the bag.
"Seventeen harvested units," Talos explained. "Nine came from- her."
"See to it that she is rewarded upon her return to Shambhala," Spite said. "Few of our men have the enthusiasm for this line of work, and those who do ought to be rewarded."
"What are you thinking?" Talos asked as Spite retrieved one of the black stones from the bag.
"With these times, it is certainly possible I may fall in the battlefield," Spite replied. "In such a circumstance, I will need to see if there is a potential replacement for the many roles I play in Shambhala."
Talos nodded as Spite crushed the black stone, "Safe travels."
"It's not a far trip," Spite said. "In fact, we passed it on our way over here."
Talos nodded as he stepped back, the rift cracking as it expanded.
"What is that?" Ashe asked as the portal widened, the shadowed stones of Zaharas becoming visible as the portal reached its full size.
"Welcome to Zaharas," Spite said. "Now, get in. The portal will only be open for a short while."
"Zaharas?" Ashe spluttered. "The place the Professor was sent?"
"Yes," Spite replied. "There's nothing in Zaharas except for the ghosts of the cursed dead."
"Ghosts?" Ashe asked, his face paling. "Is there any other way to get to Gloucester- that doesn't involve ghosts?"
Spite sighed, "Aranea, push him in."
"Indeed," Aranea growled as she shoved Ashe, the silver haired knight screaming as he fell through the portal.
Spite swore as he took a step back from the portal.
"Too late?" Aranea asked.
"Lost my concentration," Spite growled. "We'll have to open another one once this one collapses."
"Right," Aranea replied, seizing Ingrid. "No more theatrics this time. People are already starting to look at us strangely."
Spite nodded as the rift cracked, the portal faltering as the gate to Zaharas warped and collapsed.
"Lord Periander, Lady Pittacus!" a voice shouted from behind them.
"Talos," Spite greeted the men. "Olympia, Percival."
"We've come to see you off," Percival explained.
"There was no need for that," Spite replied. " Lord Solon is capable as I am in this task."
Percival and Vito exchanged a glance as Olympia nodded, "Best of wishes on your journey."
Spite nodded, "Right, we'll be going now."
Ashe whimpered as he climbed to his feet, glancing around the dimly lit room as he covered his shoulders.
"Right," Ashe laughed as the portal cracked and faded, the sunlight from Fodlan fading, leaving him alone with the green light of the realm of Zaharas. "You've got this Ashe, they'll be here in a minute."
"Who are you?" a voice asked.
"Ghost!" Ashe screamed. "I'm sorry! I don't taste good!"
"Ghost?" the voice asked. "What's that?"
"I'm sorry," Ashe said. "Lonato, Christophe, I'll be with you soon."
"What is Lonato?" the voice asked. "Christophe?"
Ashe swallowed as he turned to face the ghost, his face paling as he took a step back.
"No," Ashe pleaded. "I'm sorry! I shouldn't have mentioned you to your brother!"
"I- I have a brother?" Kronya asked, her head turned to watch Ashe.
"I'm sorry!" Ashe begged as he turned, his legs faltering as he slammed into Ingrid.
"Ashe?" Ingrid spluttered as she almost fell back into the portal. "What's going on?"
"Her-" Ashe gasped, a trembling finger pointed to the shifting form of Kronya.
"Who?" Aranea asked as she stepped through the portal, her eyes hard as she found the ghostly form of Kronya. "No-"
"What's going on?" Spite asked as he stepped through the portal, the light to Fodlan fading behind him as the rift cracked. "What are you all looking at?"
"Addy-" Aranea whispered. "You need to see this."
Spite narrowed his eyes as he turned to Kronya, his features softening into stunned silence as he found Kronya.
"Who are you?" the revenant asked.
AN: Chapter 28 complete. As promised within the last chapter, all uses of the name Zaharas have been corrected.
Read, Review, Follow.
Next Chapter:
Aftermath- Byleth
The Army on the March- Sylvain
Malice at Gloucester- Lorenz
A Hero's Way- Claude
The Path of Demons- Spite
