Imperial year : 1176, Red Wolf Moon, A few miles outside Enbarr.
The crackling of a fire and the sound of falling rain is the first thing that comes back to his mind as consciousness slowly fades in, along with the feeling of warmth that seeps deep into his bones. Feeling that he is not in his bed Hubert try's to remember what happened and how he ended up here. He remembers using one of the many secret passageways into the catacombs he had found in his search to find a way to save lady Edelgard. Only to be found out when he got close to where they were keeping her, got stabbed in his moment of surprise. Got chased throughout the tunnels and cornered in a water drainage area. Then got blasted by dark magic and fell into the swirling depths below. briefly waking up and being unable to move then hearing a voice with no emotion saying that they will help him, then everything going black.
Hearing the sound of movement Hubert slowly opens his eyes and sees the roof of a cave with light dancing across it looking back at him as he lays covered up by a blanket. Turning his head Hubert sees a fire a few feet away from him and a figure on the other side of it with there back facing him. Looking around Hubert notes that they are the only two in the small cave with the mystery person facing the mouth of the cave watching the heavy rain as it falls from the heavens. A travel bag sits against the wall with a steel sword in good condition right next to it. Looking back at his apparent savior Hubert takes in there appearance.
With there back facing him he cant tell much, only that they have a mop of dark blue hair that goes to the base of there neck and a long black cote over there shoulders. Without making any sound Hubert begins to gather magic into his hands just incase this person works for his father he will need to take them out before they can notice him and grab there sword.
"I see you are awake now." Like glass shattering on a floor the magic fades from his hands as a male voice comes from the stranger as he turns around. Facing Hubert is a young man who can't be much older then him with sky blue eyes wearing a dark red tunic under an iron chest plate, black trousers and black boots that go up to his knees. "That's good, you had me worried. I thought you were going to die for a minute there." He said with a completely blank face giving Hubert an odd feeling that his words were true but his face was saying something else.
Giving up on the element of surprise Hubert starts to sit up noticing that the pain in his side is way less then it should be. Pulling the blanket away he sees he is no longer wearing his dark green polo shirt but instead has on a black tunic. Pulling the tunic up he inspects his wound. White bandages are wrapped tightly around his torso. Letting go of the shirt Hubert turns his eyes back to the man as he stands there just looking at him.
"I fixed up your stab wound the best that I could." The man said not taking his eyes off Hubert. "Your shirt had a giant hole in it so I just gave you an extra one I have." Taking his gaze off Hubert the man in black walked over to his stuff causing the young aid to tense up as he neared his sword. Reaching into his bag he pulled out Hubert's old shirt and held it out to him.
Taking it in his hands Hubert looks it over and indeed there is a giant hole in the chest area where he got blasted. Scoffing Hubert throws the ruined clothing into the fire and lets it burn.
Looking at the flames the man says in a deadpan. "Not your favorite shirt I'm guessing."
Snorting Hubert turns back to the man. "No I hated the dreadful thing. However I would like to give my thanks to you for patching me up. What is your name?"
"Byleth Eisner. And you?" Said the man now known as Byleth turning to Hubert.
"Hubert von Vestra." Said Hubert.
"Well Hubert, I think I should ask, what where you doing half submerged in the river side with a stab wound and dark magic burns?"
Hubert's face darkens as he remembers what led to him ending up in the river and how he failed to save lady Edelgard and it might be too late now. Eyes widening in realization he snaps his head to the mouth of the cave trying to tell what time it is, But he can only see the black cloudy sky as rain continues to fall. Looking back to Byleth Hubert says in a rushed voice. "How long have I been asleep! How many days!"
Putting his hands up. "Calm down, You have only been asleep for three hours. I found you before the storm hit around seven so its about ten." Byleth said in his permanent monotone that Hubert is starting to get use to for some reason.
"Three hours. That's good. That's good, then there should still be time." Hubert mutters to him self as he walks around the fire and runs out of the cave.
Seeing Hubert leave Byleth quickly grabs his pack and sword and fallows the young aid leaving the fire to burn itself out. Catching up to Hubert as he leans his right side against a tree a few hundred feet from the cave Byleth said. "Whoa, what's the hurry? If you are not careful you are going to reopen your wound."
Panting Hubert says. "I do not care. My life is inconsequential next to that of lady Edelgard's!"
Byleth tilts his head to the side. "...Lady...Edelgard..?" He said curiosity in his voice as he brings a hand to the side of his head and an odd flash of something going through his eyes unnoticed by Hubert.
"Yes. She is being held prisoner beneath the palace by some lowly insects, and it is my job as her aid to save her before it is too late. I have already failed once, that is how I ended up like this when you found me and I will use this second chance to save her." Hubert said not entirely sure why he is telling Byleth all this. Maybe he is hoping for the small chance that he will help despite having no reason to.
'I'm still too sentimental. I'll never be of any use to her highness if I'm still this soft.' He thinks shaking his head. "Do not try and stop me Byleth. I will kill you if you get in my way." He hisses out.
Byleth stairs at Hubert as he glares at him and blinks twice. Lifting up his right hand Byleth puts it on Hubert's left shoulder and with no effort pushes the aid to the ground. Sputtering as he falls on his back Hubert stairs at Byleth with a burning hatred as the other man stands over him. "What are you doing?!" Hubert said trying to understand the strange man.
"Making a point"
"And that is?"
"That you are in no condition to save anyone. Now I have no intention of stopping you. And you can go and get yourself killed for all I care. But if you were to die who will help this lady Edelgard?" Byleth said crossing his arms over his chest.
Hubert growls. "No one. I'm the only help she is going to get. So kindly do-"
"Do you want my help?" Byleth interrupts silencing the young aid. For a few moments the two go quiet. The only sound being the rain that falls on them and the ground. Narrowing his eyes Hubert scoffs. "You want to help me? Do you think I am so naive that I would believe you would help out of the kindness of you're heart?"
Byleth shakes his head. "No, I meant do you want to hire me to help you?"
Hubert furrows his brows at the man. "Pardon, hire you?"
Byleth nods his head. "I am a mercenary, so if you pay me I'll help you with saving this lady Edelgard."
Hubert sneers at the mercenary. "And what makes you think I can pay you?"
Byleth stairs right into Hubert's eyes. "I thought you nobles always had enough to afford a few sell swords."
Hubert sputters again. "How did you know I'm a noble?"
Byleth lifts a hand and points to Hubert's chest. "Your clothes are too high quality to belong to a commoner and the way you speak. Both are dead giveaways."
"Is that why you helped me?" Hubert said narrowing his eyes.
Byleth surprises him by shaking his head no. "My Dad and Blair are always telling me if I can help someone in front of me I should do what I can."
Hubert huffs out a breath. Helping out of the goodness in ones heart he would never believe, but helping out for money on the other hand that is more reliable. However there is the possibility that Byleth will change sides if a higher offer is made so Hubert will just keep an eye out and kill him if such a thing were to happen. "How much for your help?" He says sitting up.
"That depends on how hard the job is. But my starting cost is one hundred fifty gold." Byleth said uncrossing his arms.
"Not exactly cheap are you. I can give you three times that amount but I don't have any gold on me right now" Hubert said looking up at the blank faced mercenary.
Byleth puts his right hand out. "My Dad said to know what you are worth and that's fine just don't forget. Or I will find you."
Smirking Hubert grabs Byleth's hand as lighting flashes in the sky above, its warmth standing out in the freezing rain. "Well Byleth, it looks like you got yourself a deal."
Yay new chapter! And this time we got to meet Byleth and get the mission to save Edelgard started!
Next time we get to see what's happening with everyone's favorite small emperor and just how our unlikely duo is going to save her.
That's it for now. See you next time!