6th of the Garland Moon
Dimitri panted as the punching bag fell to the floor in pieces. Dedue walked forward with a damp cloth.
"Your Highness, I must ask you to calm yourself. You are pushing your body too far."
"I know Dedue, it's just…" Dimitri removed his gauntlets and began to rub his sore knuckles with the cloth. "I hate this feeling of powerlessness. A prince should not have to kill his own people."
"You believe the knights will still be fighting Lonato's men when we arrive?"
"Its not just- It's the fact that this battle must be fought at all." Dimitri let out a breath. "As prince, it is my sworn duty to help end the rebellion, but…"
"You worry about Ashe."
"He has been speaking to Professor Alois about staying behind. Or coming along to try and save Lonato." Dimitri was silent for a moment. "Whatever might keep us from spilling more innocent blood…"
Dimitri could feel Felix's eyes aiming at the back of his head as he spoke aloud. When Dimitri turned, Felix was looking down the shaft of his arrow, before letting loose at the target. It landed three rings to the left of center. Two other arrows already in the target were only one ring away. Felix scoffed aloud, and drew another arrow.
Coward. Glenn hisses.
Dimitri presses down, and a sharp pain bloomed on his knuckles. A bit of skin had broken, and blood was dripping through.
"I will fetch a healer." Dedue said.
"Yes, I suppose that would be wise. Thank-"
"You are injured?" A harsh voice cut through. Both students looked up to see Jeritza stalking forward.
"Err...It's just a bruise. I've been losing track-"
Magic sigils flared to life around Jeritza's hand. Dimitri felt something similar to the warmth of a healing spell envelop his hand. The pain receded slightly, but nothing more. Jeritza scowled, and the sigils grew brighter.
"…Thank you, Prof-"
"Quiet." Jeritza snapped as he tried again. Dimitri's small wound stubbornly remained. Mercedes approached to professor with a concerned look on her face.
"You are being too forceful, Professor Jeritza. You're casting a healing spell like it's fire magic." Mercedes said. "Faith magic can't be forced, you have to let it flow."
Jeritza didn't turn to face her. His brow creased in concentration, and Dimitri's wound closed.
"See? You're a natural, Professor!" Mercedes said.
Jeritza grabbed Dimitri's hand, inspecting his magic. Dedue took a step forward.
"I must insist that you not behave so disrespectfully to his Highness, Professor."
Jeritza continued to inspect Dimitri's hand. Dedue took another step forward. "Professor. Release his Highness."
"Professor Jeritza, there's no need to be so forceful…"
"Dedue, it isn't-"
Jeritza finally let Dimitri's hand fall, and inspected the magic churning in his hand. "It's not enough…" He muttered, walking away from the three.
"…Professor Jeritza is practicing magic?" Dimitri asked.
"Yes, actually!" Mercedes beamed. "He approached me yesterday looking for tips. He already had a solid grasp of reason magic, but said he needed to learn more about faith magic."
"Really? Did he say why he came to you, instead of a fellow professor?"
"He said that he wanted to learn faith magic because of Professor Byleth, from what I understood." Mercedes replied. "Or that he was looking for me because he had trained with Professor Byleth…I don't know. He was vague, and didn't give me much of an explanation."
"Interest spurred on by tales of her from Zanado, I imagine." Dedue said.
Mercedes nodded. "That's what I thought too."
Fact and myth had swept through Garreg Mach in the past few days with equal speed. Word spread of the newest professor's extraordinary power, able to cleave through monsters with blade and magic alike. Byleth's office hours, which had previously been quite open, were now stuffed to the brim by nearly every other student in the monastery. In the few times Dimitri had managed to spot the professor since the battle in the canyon, he had watched a throng of onlookers follow her every step. Whenever she tutored someone on the training grounds, a hush would sweep through hall as everyone tried to watch her lesson instead of their own.
Jeritza must have been inspired by Byleth's ability to handle blade and magic alike, and sought to diversify his own skills. The man's ability to wield both swords and lances was unquestionable, and so experimenting with magic seemed like a perfectly logical step. Though Dimitri had overheard from Caspar that the two professors had dueled often during the Great Tree Moon, with Byleth the victor each time. Perhaps this new interest in magic was some form of envy. Jeritza had enjoyed the status of the youngest, and most highly skilled skilled professor before Byleth had arrived. Now, the man had been taken out of the limelight, forced to stand in Byleth's shadow.
Dimitri let those thoughts fade away. It wasn't his business to pry into the professor's private matters.
"I don't think that's all there was to Professor Jeritza's request though." Mercedes said. "I'm not sure how to describe it, but there was something familiar in his voice."
"How do you mean?"
"Well, it's…" Mercedes' brow creased. "I don't know."
The silence lingered for a moment before Dimitri put his gauntlet back on. "Professor Jeritza hasn't been too rude with you, has he?"
"Oh, no. He's been rather…well…" Mercedes frowned. "He hasn't been nice, but I wouldn't call him rude. Like I said, it's hard to describe. If I had to put a word to it, he's…a bit like you, Dedue."
Dedue blinked. "Like me?"
"A bit, yes. You both don't talk much, but I can sense you mean well. Professor Jeritza is just a bit more…" Mercedes let herself trail off. "…Angry, I think. I'm not sure why, but there is something buried in him."
Dimitri looked up at the sky. An orange wash had settled in the clouds. "It's getting late. We should probably go prepare for dinner."
Dedue nodded. Mercedes perked up. Dimitri turned towards the archery range. "Felix, do you want-" he called out, but his once friend had disappeared. Dimitri bit his lip and began cleaning up his own training area.
Mercedes put her bow away on its rack. "They're making fish and bean soup tonight. It's my favorite!"
Dimitri felt a thought wrinkle his brow. "Mercedes, are you going to the cathedral after dinner?"
"Yes?"
"I recall that Ashe also likes that soup…"
Mercedes face fell. "Oh, I see. Of course."
"I'd take it myself, but I promised Professor Alois that I'd talk to him about our mission-"
"Oh, it's no trouble Dimitri. I'd be happy to do it."
"Thank you, Mercedes." Dimitri sighed. "If only this were all a bad dream…"
"It's a terrible thing." Mercedes agreed. "Has Lady Rhea told you why Lonato is attacking the church?"
"There is still no word from Gaspard territory."
"I'll pray for a peaceful end." Mercedes said.
Dimitri ran his fingers through his bangs. "I fear we will need a miracle for that."
Mercedes hummed. "Maybe she could bring another miracle…"
"Who?"
"What? Oh!" Mercedes looked up. "I was just thinking…have you talked to Professor Byleth about the rebellion? Maybe she would know something. She's had plenty of experience dealing with people as a mercenary. Maybe she can offer some new perspective?"
Dimitri's eyebrow rose. "I suppose she could…but what gave you that idea?"
Mercedes held her hands together. "Well, it's rather silly, but when you mentioned that we would need a miracle, I remembered some of the knights calling her a gift from the goddess and a miracle worker when they were gossiping."
"The professor is undoubtedly powerful. But such strength doesn't mean she would be able to stop this rebellion." Dedue said.
"I know." Mercedes nodded. "It's just that there is so much gossip going around. And no one expected her to be strong enough to kill ten demonic beasts on her own. Maybe she can save us again."
It was a nice thought. "I suppose there is no harm in asking. I'll bring it up to her if I get the chance. I've been asking the other professors for advice, so there shouldn't be any harm in asking for her opinion."
"Professor Byleth has made quite the impression on the monastery." Dedue began to move towards the doors. Dimitri and Mercedes followed.
"It's only fair. Killing so many demonic beasts by herself without one of the Heroes' Relics is unheard of. Even Catherine isn't so strong." Dimitri's feet felt light. "If anything, Professor Byleth will be given even more praise in the coming months. Such acts of bravery are sure to draw the eyes of many more nobles from all over Fódlan. Though once many of them see her face, I also imagine she'll have to worry about fending of marriage propositions from them all as well…"
Mercedes giggled. "You sound like your planning to be among their number, Prince Dimitri."
Dimitri's face grew hot. "N-no! Not at all! It's just-well, that is how many nobles think, and…" Dimitri looked away. "Well, you are a young woman with a Crest. I am tragically certain that I don't have to explain this to you."
Mercedes sighed, and nodded. Dimitri tried to refocus. "And anyone would want such a woman strong enough to fight off so many demons in their employ."
"That reminds me. Have either of you heard anything about the…Death Knight?" Mercedes asked.
Dedue shook his head. Dimitri clenched his fist. "It's worrying. We talk of how strong Professor Byleth was to be able to kill so many beasts on her own, but we know nothing of the knight who gathered all those monsters to attack in the first place."
"He is dangerous." Dedue mused. "I hope that he is caught before any more harm is caused."
"Yes…" Mercedes sighed. "I suppose that would be best."
"What, exactly, did you think you were doing? Defying my authority? Corralling a horde of demonic beasts? Revealing yourself to the knights this early?" Edelgard hissed out in a dark corner of Garreg Mach's stables. Jeritza stared back blandly, as if she were discussing the weather. When Edelgard had returned with the Black Eagles from their excursion to Varley lands, she had not expected the monastery to be abuzz with anything more than summer bees. Instead, she had returned to tall tales of Byleth single handedly saving the Blue Lions from a horde of demonic beasts in Zanado. Worse still was the fact that rumors abounded of the Death Knight, who had apparently let the horde loose on the unsuspecting students, before saving one at the last minute in a show of force.
"Professor Byleth offered a challenge. I accepted."
"What on earth are you talking about!" Edelgard leaned forward, drilling her eyes into Jeritza's. "I've seen you two spar. You aren't holding back. She still beats you. How is that not enough challenge? And just for future reference, how did you manage to control so many wild beasts?"
"She claimed to be stronger then anyone. Stronger then anything. I found an opportunity to test her claim, and took it."
"How did you control the beasts?" Edelgard stressed.
A smile crept onto Jeritza's face. "I arranged for a duel deep in Zanado. I observed that the beasts were hibernating in the cracks and shadows of the valley. It only took a little bit of blood to stir them. Then the fumes from the weakling's battle sent them scrambling to devour the worms."
Jeritza stared distantly as his smile curved wistfully. "To see her power unleashed was a delight. I stand no chance as I am now."
"And what is about revealing yourself to the knights? I told you that you must remain elusive."
Jeritza expression evened out. Edelgard waited, but he did not reply. "Jeritza. Answer me."
"…I saw potential. It would do no good to let it go to waste."
Edelgard stared at Jeritza. He stared back. Edelgard fought down a frustrated growl. "You will behave yourself in the coming months. You will have your fun soon enough. You will not disappear when it suits your fancy. You are not here to chase after the professor's skirt. Am I understood?"
Jeritza's eyes narrowed.
"Am I understood?" Edelgard said.
Jeritza gave a slow nod. "Yes."
Edelgard straightened, and walked out of the stables. She could have told herself that Byleth was just as perplexing distraction before, but now it was clear that even if the woman had promised to not reveal her plans to the world, she would not be content to leave them untouched. Jeritza's loyalty was being courted in the only way the man respected. That could prove disastrous. Edelgard would have to confront Byleth on the matter.
Hubert fell in beside Edelgard, steering their path towards the dormitories. "Professor Byleth is currently under the monastery, in the refugee town called Abyss."
"We will confront her there." Edelgard said. "Anything useful from the rumor mill?"
"I managed to find who the Death Knight revealed himself to save. Mercedes von Martritz."
"I've seen her around the monastery. Jeritza didn't find need to mention his reason for protecting her in our chat."
"I did a little digging. As it happens, Martritz is his long lost sister. They were separated years ago, before the fall of House Bartels."
Edelgard paused. "…I see. Does Jeritza remember?"
"If you don't know..."
Edelgard looked back at the stables. Jeritza was combing out his horse's mane. Edelgard resumed walking. "…We will sort that out later. Anything else?"
"The knights have finished interrogating the bandits. All they know is that the bandit leader spoke with someone in heavy armor with red and black coloring. Enough to draw a distinction between the figure and the Death Knight, but nothing useful."
"I see…I suppose some of them were peeking through the trees to get a look at their employer?"
"That was my impression." Unfortunate. Still, vague details were better then a clear picture.
Hubert turned down a dark alleyway. A large drain was bolted into the stonework at the alley's end. Hubert grabbed the metal and shook. With a rusty creek, the bars came loose. Hubert nodded and Edelgard folded her red cape, tucking it away. Looking down the drain, small grooves were carved into the wall, making a rudimentary ladder. Edelgard descended, before arriving on a damp stone floor. Hubert landed shortly afterword, summoning a fire in his hand. "This way." Hubert navigated through a small stretch of tunnels. At first the only thing Edelgard could hear were their own footsteps, but soon hushed noises began to echo off the walls.
Hubert made one final turn, and the tunnel they had been traveling through opened into a large room. People in worn clothing milled about a ramshackle market, keeping to themselves under the dim illumination of lanterns. All sorts of things from food grains and parchment to dull weaponry were placed for sale on the tables. Unwashed children ran in and out of the shadows of the makeshift streets. As Edelgard approached, people would move out of her way without a second glance, quietly going about their business. Hubert walked briskly, making his way up a set of stairs, beckoning to a figure perched on a wall. They raised two fingers and pointed to their right. Hubert followed their hand. A cry rang out. Edelgard looked over to see a merchant yelling after a thief. No one else in the sparse crowd made a sound.
"All this is underneath Garreg Mach? The church just lets a place like this exist? Rotting away beneath their very feet?"
"One more example of the church's indifference. Though this Abyss is not unlike certain back alleys in Enbarr."
Edelgard felt her fists clench. "The difference is I will give my people something better."
It was then Edelgard spotted Byleth atop a vacant stairwell, talking to someone half hidden in the dark, who's back faced Edelgard. As she approached, more and more of the professor and her companion came into view. Byleth's hair almost glowed in the dim light, the bright color jumping out from the dark shadows. Her companion was a boy with light purple hair, and was talking quietly, leaning on the banister. Edelgard strained her ears to listen.
"Dangerous proposition, stranger." The boy was dressed strangely. He had a uniform as if he was a house leader, but it was colored to compliment his lavender hair.
"I'm a mercenary. Don't trust my words. Trust money." Byleth pushed a coin into his hand, which sparkled in the dim light. Edelgard felt half a dozen eyes in the dark flash too and then from the money. "I'm just looking after family. You understand."
The lavender-haired boy bit the coin. "Hmm. Alright. Snake knows viper. Yeah, I'll chat. She's been seen sneaking in and out of some of the more obscure holes. Always slips out of sight, but she's been around."
"Thank you. I will contact you later, and will be about the monastery if you need me."
The lavender boy raised his eyebrow, but slid out of his spot on the railing. As he stood, the boy's eyes stumbled into Edelgard's. His face turned to surprise, before smoothing over into cool indifference. "Good day, Professor."
The boy quickly faded away into the shadows, leaving Byleth alone. Edelgard stepped forward. "Family?"
"Yes."
"I see. Forgive my intrusion." Edelgard composed herself before pushing forward. "Professor, if I may, I recall you offering to answer my questions."
Byleth's hands channeled what Edelgard presumed was a silencing spell as her expression remained frustratingly blank. "I did."
"You've been dueling with Professor Jeritza, correct?"
"On the 31st of Harpstring Moon, as you imply."
"Why did you do it?"
"Because he asked."
Edelgard stared dumbly. Byleth blinked. "That's it? He asked?"
"Yes."
"You revealed yourself to be more powerful then any one Knight of Serios to Garreg Mach-no, to the world just because Jeritza asked? First of all, I must ask you plainly, are you trying to undermine my command?" Edelgard's eyes narrowed. "And if your gift for remembering is as exact as you say it is, surely you must have known about the beasts. Why would you risk so many students and knights over a simple rivalry? From what I hear, many knights were hurt, and a student was almost killed!"
"I have no interest in keeping Jeritza on a leash. I did know about the beasts. They have a habit of gathering in Zanado." Byleth's voice was it's same calm, familiar emotionless nothing it had been at the start of the conversation. "I indulged Jeritza because he becomes very impulsive when he doesn't get some form of relief. It wasn't a sure thing that he'd set them loose on the students and knights, but even if he did, I had all confidence in my ability to shield those involved from any true danger."
Edelgard slowly processed Byleth's words. "And revealing yourself to Fódlan?"
"I am used to ignoring petitioners, no matter how self important they are. I have nothing to fear from Rhea. As for Thales…" Byleth tilted her head to the side. "I told Jeritza that I am powerful without equal. Even disregarding my knowledge of everyone's motives, resources and fighting styles that is not a boast. No matter what he tells you."
Edelgard stared. The sheer brazenness of the statement caught her off guard. More disturbingly, she could feel that the statement was true. It was that strange feeling of familiarity creeping up her spine, an instinct telling her she already knew Byleth that had been creeping up in Edelgard's spine. It was concerning. She had felt similarly before, but never with this level of certainty. The closest point of comparison was when she sometimes talked to-
"Professor! Edelgard! Hubert! What are you doing down here?"
Dimitri approached, his deep blue house leader cape aflutter in the dark, drawing the eyes of vagabonds and lost souls. His retainer walked behind him with an eye over his shoulder.
"Dimitri? I-what are you doing in this place?"
"I heard about Abyss and wanted to see it for myself. Plus Dedue had business."
Edelgard let her surprise fade. "I came for much the same reason. I heard of Abyss, and wished to explore."
Dimitri nodded. "And you professor?"
"It's one of the few places I'm not constantly pestered."
Dimitri huffed. "I understand. It must be nice-" A frown crossed his face. "Oh, I'm doing it too, aren't I? Intruding into a private conversation. My apologies, professor."
Byleth looked at Edelgard, raising an eyebrow. Edelgard bit her lip. Byleth's answers so far were distressingly simple. Edelgard wondered if she might be able to make headway by letting Dimitri lead. She realized she hadn't seen Byleth interact with other people very much, other then engaging in polite deflection with Claude. "No, it's fine. We weren't talking about anything important."
"I see. Still, I apologize for intruding."
"It's no trouble. You mentioned your retainer had business here?"
Dimitri blinked, before looking over his shoulder. Dedue replied smoothly. "There is a shrine to the Gods of Duscur here. I came to offer my prayers."
Dimitri sighed. "In truth. I came to give mine as well. I thought it couldn't hurt, given the current crisis."
Edelgard gave a nod in sympathy. "I understand. This rebellion must weigh heaviest on you most of all."
Dimitri looked down, eyes lost in the grime at his feet. "Yes." A spark lit in his eyes, and he looked back up. "Professor, I wanted to ask. Do you have any advice on how to solve this situation? Any insight on how to stop Lonato's rebellion without spilling innocent blood?"
Edelgard turned to look at Byleth, eyebrow raised, making sure not to show any tension in her shoulders. Byleth's actions so far had no failed to surprise, and she had already saved the Blue Lions once. Surely she would have some subtle scheme to keep Lonato and his soldiers alive and placated. The only problem would be how much this might affect the raid on the holy tomb that Edelgard doubted would remain a surprise for long. It would require a new plan-
"I'm sorry Dimitri, I don't know anything that Professor Alois or Lady Rhea might have already told you."
Edelgard barely managed to hide her surprise. Looking at Hubert, her retainer was similarly shocked.
Dimitri nodded mutely. "I understand. I've been looking for an answer somewhere, and when not even Lady Rhea has any insight…"
"You have my apologies, for whatever they are worth."
Dimitri shook his head one last time. "No Professor, I shouldn't expect anything of you. It was just wishful thinking on my part." He turned to leave. "My apologies for interrupting you. Professor. Edelgard. Hubert." With that, Dimitri and Dedue slipped away into Abyss.
Edelgard turned back to face Byleth, studying her. Byleth stared back, face blank, but hidden in her eyes was something.
"Was there anything else?" An age was sneaking into her voice too.
Byleth clearly knew what exactly Lonato was rebelling against. What exactly he had been manipulated into doing. Yet here she was, not lifting a finger to change it.
"Do you plan to ride out and stop the battle yourself somehow? Or by some other proxy?"
"No."
"Are you going to tell me why?"
Against the uneven glow of candlelight, Edelgard thought she saw Byleth flinch. "It's something you may already understand."
Edelgard's eyebrows furrowed. "Then there is nothing to speak of now." She locked eyes with Hubert, and departed for the surface.
Byleth seemed ready to sacrifice Lonato and Dimitri's peace of mind for some purpose. What, exactly, Edelgard didn't know, and doubted Byleth would simply tell her. No matter. If Byleth would let the wind carry her aloft, Edelgard would comply. For now. Edelgard would forge her own future, and no one, not Rhea, Thales, or Byleth would stop her.
31st of Garland Moon
The Blue Lions marched. Lonato attacked. The dead screamed louder.
2nd of Blue Sea Moon
"C'mon Teach, I got an important meeting coming up, and that dastardly old bird isn't coughing anything up. Can't you give me anything?" Claude was leaning against a bookshelf in Hanneman's laboratory. Byleth was mixing a potion, hardly paying him any mind.
"The bandits' testimony's-"
"Yeah, someone with expensive tastes in armor, money to spare and teleportation magic. Doesn't really narrow it down. You set me off on this little quest, give me something."
Byleth carefully poured her mixture into a flask, before sealing it. "We'll talk later. Until then, I have important business."
"But-"
"Later Claude."
No game of words. She really was busy. Claude huffed, and left the laboratory. It wasn't like he was asking for much. The empire still hadn't started moving any pieces as far as the spies could find, and though Claude could definitely say the added workload would have put his grandfather in an early grave, that didn't mean he had to appreciate how much time even a fraction of it took from him. Plus the fact that his efforts to scope out the other table members through their children had been less then successful left Claude feeling more then a little frustrated.
Claude turned to the training grounds, intent on blowing off some steam. Picking up a bow from the rack, he spotted Dimitri practicing his lance forms. The prince was moving quite listlessly, as if he were barely awake. Claude twirled an arrow in his hand, before walking towards the prince.
"Hey Dimitri. Bad day?"
Dimitri gave a start. "Huh- oh, Claude. You surprised me." Settling his lance at his side, Dimitri put on a stoic look. "Yes. I'm still thinking about Lonato's rebellion. Even with the rumors of assassination, I can't just…"
Claude nodded. "I understand. I'd feel the same in your position."
"It's just…" Dimitri bit his lip. "Lonato and his men weren't even interested in talking. I sought the advice of everyone, from the archbishop, all the professors, and Lord Rodrigue…"
Claude felt a feeling of perplexity wash over him. This seemed like the thing future sight was good at avoiding. "Even Captain Jeralt and Professor Byleth?"
"Yes, even them." Dimitri was apparently so lost in his thoughts he didn't even find Claude's little question odd. And Byleth had apparently done nothing to stop the whole mess, even though she very easily could have in Claude's estimation. That didn't sit right with him. And from the way Dimitri was reacting, Claude began to suspect something: Byleth hadn't told Dimitri anything.
She'd told Claude so much yet so very little, and of course the professor had shared with Edelgard. Rhea had also apparently learned something, as even Claude could tell she was just going through the motions most of the time he saw her perform any given religious rite.
But DImitri seemed totally oblivious to Byleth's status as a prophet. No cursing her for not giving proper foreknowledge, no hounding her for explanations of future events. From what Claude could tell, he wasn't even hiding away from the professor for fear of what might be said.
Claude would normally expect some sort of ruse, some mask of indifference like he and Edelgard wore. But Claude had come to what he hoped was a decent read on the prince. Dimitri wore his emotions on his sleeve. Anything the prince tried to hide would be painfully obvious to anyone who had the inclination to look, and right now, Dimitri wasn't capable of anything but honesty. And for whatever reason, it seemed Byleth had decided not to share her future knowledge with Dimitri.
Claude felt a dangerous idea strike him. It was risky, but he could probably do it without dropping any important details that might set Dimitri off, as Byleth warned those moons ago. Plus, he'd be able to get a favor out of Dimitri, no small thing. Furthermore, if Byleth learned that she could just get away with sacrificing people she could probably save with no consequences, that could give her the wrong impression about Claude and his friends. Because really, who would he be without Hilda to not do what he said or Lorenz to backtalk every decision he made? And if he was wrong and Byleth had shared something with the prince, he and Dimitri could have a little secret to share. Groundwork for a future alliance in a worst-case scenario.
Besides, after making no tangible headway with the preparation for the roundtable, Claude was feeling more then a little petty.
"Say Dimitri, I'm going to tell you something crazy…"
Really, What was the worst that could happen? Claude knew what he was doing.
First, thanks to Dox on A03 for beta reading!
Also, we've hit ten chapters! 51 favorites, 100 follows, and over 9.3k views! Thanks to you all for your interest and support, and I'll hope to see you all and more for then next 10!
Byleth POV next chapter for those waiting, I promise. This should be the last chapter really affected by the turns the DLC put in the script. Also fixed some wrong dates in Chapter 9.
Until next time!
