Alrighty! It's time for another chapter of Songstress. You guys and girls are still enjoying it, so I'll keep on writing. Focus will be shifting to Petra for a little while since I'm having such a good time writing her. As always, the poll is still open. And I'm even considering a Blue Lion route depending on how well the Black Eagle and Golden Deer routes go. Not sure which lovely lady I'd pick for the lead, but I'm open to suggestions.

Lets begin shall we?

Letter (Black Eagles VI)

I haven't been able to sleep for the life of me. I keep thinking of Petra no matter how hard I try to relax. I've been staring into the long mirror next to Dorothea's dresser for what must be an hour now. It's strange - just a single day in the Black Eagle house has made me feel such powerful emotions. I'm secure in my beliefs in a way I didn't think possible. Hubert's judgement of Petra was unfair. He had no right to speak about her in the way he did.

I'll show credit to my former-classmates in the Golden Deer where's its due. They're all straight-talking folks. Even Lorentz (the picture of nobility through and through) told you how he felt about you face-to-face. There was little insulting someone out of earshot. Claude didn't allow it; neither did Miss Byleth.

My old house wasn't perfect, but there was far less backstabbing.

An exhausted sigh falls from my mouth. I hold my face in my hands. "Keep it calm, Rolan..." I whisper, being mindful of the noise while Dorothea snoozes.

Now isn't the time to let my feelings get the better of me. I know it too. But I can't help myself. I've come to realize just how irked I get when these noble sorts wipe their boots on those they have power over. Petra is a princess, don't get me wrong. But she's a princess at the behest of Adrestia's whims. I'm beginning to see what she meant when we talked after training the other day.

I'm pulled from my moment of reflection by a gentle yawn from Dorothea. I shift my hands away from my face so she can't see how intensely I've been pondering. The last thing she needs is to tie herself in knots over my gripes.

"Did you sleep well?" I ask - intent on masking my worries. "You're looking well rested."

"Absolutely wonderfully," my dearest lady answers. "Though I was hoping to wake up with you at my side," she chuckles. "Wait... Is something the matter, Rolan? You're wearing quite the scowl. I've never seen you so grumpy before..."

"It's nothing," I deflect, forcing a smile. "We all have those days when we think too hard. Don't take it to heart."

"I can't simply ignore it; you're looking most unhappy." Dorothea doesn't buy my excuse. She swings her legs over the side of the bed and moves to stand behind me. "You can always confide in me if you're upset. I'll always support you - come rain or shine."

She wraps her arms around my middle, drawing me into a cuddle from behind. I'm kissed against my neck. "I'll ease your aches and pains," says Dorothea tenderly. "You changed houses so we can stay together. The last thing I want is you being unhappy with me."

Some ladies have ways of easing my fears, and Dorothea is among the best of them. I'm disarmed by her loving nature.

"You're not the problem. I promise. It's Hubert."

"Hubert?" Dorothea's brows knit with concern. She holds me just a bit tighter. Her fingers dig into my sides. "Does this have something to do with our chat in class this morning?" The songstress asks worriedly. "I do hope the two of you are getting along."

I'd rather not cause an issue when I can resolve matters through hard work. "It's a tiny problem. Kinda pointless."

"Rolan." Dorothea's voice becomes stern - motherly even. It's as though I'm at home in Goneril and being scolded for slacking off with bread deliveries. "It can't be that small if you were scowling like you were. Talk to me."

Dorothea's not backing off; kind but serious in equal measure. I know an unwinnable battle when I see one.

"Fine - If you really must know I'll tell you."

I get to work explaining Hubert's request of Petra and I. I'm doubly thorough with the details, mentioning his desire to see us compete in the upcoming tournament, and the unsightly name he called Brigid's princess. I feel frustration bubbling within my heart; a sensation both deep-rooted and unrelenting.

Dorothea doesn't seem happy either. "He called Petra a beast?" Her eyes quiver with the realization. "How mean..."

"Exactly." I slip free of Dorothea's embrace and make for the dormitory door. She follows, stalling as I take a firm grip of the handle. "I can't let an insult like that pass. Call me petty if you wanna, but my time in Garreg Mach's changing the way I see plenty of things. Feels to me like the nobles of your house are the sorts who abuse their power plenty when it suits them. My old man was right telling me to act carefully around the higborn."

"It's not petty at all, and you aren't wrong." Dorothea takes her place in front of me. She kisses my cheek with her pillowy lips, nodding assuredly. "Now you've learned why I was so desperate to marry well. The only way people like you and me and Petra have a chance is if we compete with the best of them." Her expression becomes rainy for a second. That rain is quickly replaced with a glimmer of hope - a candlelight in the dark. "Help her, Rolan. Show Hubert just how valuable you and Petra can be. I'll cheer for you both on tournament day."

I relish one last cuddle with Dorothea before opening the doors wide. The cloudless sky is tinted orange. I feel invigorated - determined above all else to show my worth, and be there for my newfound friend. A busy session at the Training Grounds awaits.

It never ceases to amaze me how intensely Petra dedicates herself to the arts of combat. She was already practicing stances when I arrived at the Training Grounds. There wasn't another student in sight; she was the only one here. I was pulled into the arena in the centre as soon as she caught sight of me.

No half-arsed delaying. No fuss.

"I am happy to be seeing you, Rolan." She handed a sword my way to mark the beginning of our sparring ritual.

Pass after pass followed. Exchange after exchange. Body blow after body blow. A dance of exertion and dedication both - a dance I've quietly come to adore sharing with Petra. I can't fault her burning desire to become stronger. Every time she's knocked over she gets right on up again. She's covered in scrapes and cuts and bruises. Her uniform is drenched with sweat and dirt. Nothing stops her.

She's relentless. She's passionate about her craft. She values strength above all else.

Though she catches me off guard with the next thing to come out of her mouth.

"I would be liking to share something very dear to me." Petra's cheeks redden. Her eyes surge with fires unrelenting. She throws tosses aside her wooden practice sword. Moving one foot ahead of the other, she raises her fists and extends her fingers outward like claws. "Will you allow my showing of Brigid's fist fighting? Think of it as a gift; my present for you."

"Hand-to-hand combat?" I'm hard-pressed to give an answer she'll like. "I'm good with a sword, but scrapping bare-first's not my forte."

"Then please allow me to be teacher for this lesson. I want to repay the kindness you are giving me."

There's a pang of nervousness in my stomach. Using a sword is one thing. Being up close and personal in battle is something I'm used to. Throwing punches and kicks is different - very different. A hot flash sweeps over me at the idea of being close to Petra, but I can't explain why.

"I don't know if I can do it. No way am I as good as you..."

"Please be giving me this honor. I would be greatly pleased."

I take a deep breath to cool off. I'm swayed by Petra's eagerness, even if this is way outside of my comfort zone. There might come a time when a blade is out of my reach in the heat of battle. Improving my skills without the use of steel could be the difference between life and death someday, especially if I'm to serve in Enbarr. Goodness knows what I might encounter there.

"Okay Petra." I drop my weapon to the sand and take up a fighting-ready position. "Come at me with everything you've got. Don't go easy on me."

"As you are asking, Rolan. I will give all I have." And go easy Petra doesn't. With a warrior's scream she charges fearlessly.

My first instinct is to root my feet into the floor. I keep steady and jab at Petra. She dodges with ease. Her fancy footwork is so impressive it's terrifying. If she were any quicker I'd swear she were an illusion. My every attempt is made to look like child's play against her efforts. Irritated by my lack of progress, I take another swing but meet nothing but air. And a second. And a third. My fourth attack is caught with almost no effort.

Petra applies pressure against my wrist; the pain forces open my closed hand. The next thing I know my feet are swept from under me. I'm toppled and thrown over-shoulder. I collide back-first with the sandy floor. My bones shake; my head spins in a nauseating circle.

"I believe this victory is mine to be enjoying..." Petra looms overhead. The sickness I feel is slowly clearing, but not quickly enough.

I'm gripped by both of my wrists, tightly like a vice. Petra climbs atop of me; alive with flame and fury like nothing I've seen before. Her breaths have fallen into hefty animalistic panting. Beads of sweat crawl down her face and patter against my scuffed overcoat. The smile upon her lips is one of pride - the pride of her people - the wills and desires of all Brigid united. She's truly unstoppable.

I'm at Petra's mercy, and not because she threw me. There's... something more.

Nearer and nearer the princess slinks. Her breaths tickle my cheek. Her body presses against mine. She snakes her legs around my pelvis, completely cutting off any hopes of escape. We're joined. We're one. I'm a prisoner to her gaze.

Our noses touch. Petra opens her mouth to speak. "Will you be my partner for the tournament? I am wanting to fight alongside you. I am wanting to be... with you." The air leaves my lungs at her request. Any closer and her lips will touch with mine.

I can't find it in me to give the approval she's after. I'm overtaken by the heat Petra provides. My heartbeat is a drum louder than raging thunder. My senses are ensnared and I'm unable to break free. Now I know now why I was reluctant to engage her in close combat. Her raw passion is mind-blowing, and she's damn beautiful too. A woman like her is the true definition of how the nobility should act. A beacon to the people she represents. A leader willing to stand tall and fearlessly against all challenges. Not some arrogant retainer without a care for others.

She's everything I wish I could be; everything I'm not.

Finally, my will returns. "I-I was hoping you'd ask. Saves me the trouble. Yes. I'll join you. We're a team. Let's fight for Adrestia."

"Wonderful!" Petra releases my wrists. Our final barrier of personal space is broken; her lips are almost touching mine. "But I am not fighting for Adrestia... My fighting will be for my home, for my people in Brigid. It is my deepest of hoping to send Miss Edelgard a message."

"A message?" I touch Petra by the shoulders. At last she notices of just how damn close we are. She flinches, easing off.

"Can I believe in you? Will protect my secret, Rolan?" She looks scared all of the sudden, very scared. I've never seen her so fearful before.

I'd better assure her. "'Course I will. We're partners from her on out."

"Okay." Petra exhales thankfully. "I am thinking Edelgard plans bad things for your Fodlan people. I am going to be winning this tournament, and with my victory I will declare myself a Black Eagle no more. I will join Professor Byleth's class when the battle is won. Once a Golden Deer I will learn more about Edelgard's wishes of much cruelness. I am having bad feelings. I do not want Fodlan's people to become like mine. Chained."

I can't believe what I've heard.

Edelgard has bad intentions?! If that were the case then why did she offer me a place as a Black Eagle? Why is Hubert so insistent I show my skills?

"You can't be serious... Surely not? It doesn't make sense. Dorothea speaks well of her all the time."

"Her niceness is- How do you say it? Fake. It is fake. I can show you my feelings of badness are true."

Petra untangles her legs from around me and gets up in a hurry. I brush the sand from my clothes and find my feet with a helping hand.

"Come to my room," says Petra swiftly. There is something we should be speaking of."

She barges outside, rushing headlong into the night. "Come. Follow quickly."

I take off in pursuit as best I'm able, ducking and weaving around the last dregs of students dashing for their dorms before curfew. I'm finally able to catch up just as Petra skids to a stop outside of her room. She shoves open the doors before I'm able to steady myself.

"What's this about?!" I ask between heaves of breath, exhausted. "You're-" I wheeze. "You're making me uneasy."

Petra pulls me inside with a berserk's might. I stumble and fall onto an animal skin rug as she lets go. I hear locks clicking and bolts sliding into place amidst my daze. Shaking my head clear, I rise in a hurry and get myself together. "Petra... Come on now... Quit being so serious."

Brigid's princess marches across the room and clamps her hand over my mouth. Having forced my silence, she leans over to whisper in my ear, "I overheard Edelgard in her talkings with Hubert on of one my walks. Your joining with this house is not a thing of goodness. Hubert is wanting you as a spy against the Golden Deer. He is thinking your feelings of love for Dorothea will be helping him learn new things..."

Everything falls into place. Petra lowers her hand so I can answer. "Shit. Are you kidding me?"

She shakes her head. "I am not one with the kidding. I have no clue why Hubert is wanting this, but Edelgard is happy with it."

"When did you overhear them talking? Recently?"

"The day before the yesterday. They were doing much discussing behind the Training Grounds building."

"Goddess help me. I knew it was way too good to be true," I scoff. This is a pain in the arse beyond compare. I've followed my heart only to walk into a bloody ambush. "Great... Just great. They don't want me for my skills. I'm an asset..."

Petra raises a brow; she's confused. "But there is nothing of greatness to celebrate. This is a thing of badness."

"I know; I know. It's sarcasm. Forget it." Stress gets me pacing between the messy bed and the poor wolf decorating the dusty floor. There has to be something I can do before this situation gets out of hand. Heck, if it weren't for Petra warning me I might've opened my mouth and started saying all sorts of things about my Golden Deer classmates without realizing. I'd have given Hubert exactly what he wanted.

I could mention it Dorothea. No. I can't. Scratch that. She's sincere and caring; she'd probably confront Edelgard. That would land us in all sorts of trouble. I can't say a word to Professor Byleth, either. If she were to cast doubt on the situation Petra would end up trapped in the Black Eagles with no way out.

Think, Rolan. Think. There has to be a way around all of this.

I'm grabbed and shaken by the Petra. "You must be keeping calmness." She eyes me with concern. "Listen to me. There is more."

Petra lets me go and drops to her knees. She crawls beneath her bed, rooting around like she's hunting for something. Eventually she re-emerges; her already sticky clothing now covered in dirt to boot. Rising to meet me, I notice a creased piece of white parchment paper between her fingers. She unfolds it (more a worn scrap at a closer look) and drops it into my hands. "Read this, if you would do me kindness," is her sole request.

"Okay," I agree. "Let's take a-" I freeze. The words on the page almost knock me flat.

'Petra. You've been true to my cause so far. And so, I ask you to make a decision. Soon I will turn my back to the wretched Church of Seiros. Hubert will help me, as will many others. Can I count on you as a loyal servant of Adrestia to rally the warriors of Brigid to my cause? Give me your answer when the time is right. Soon all of my preparations will come to fruition. Edelgard Von Hresvelg - Future Empress of Adrestia'.

I-I can hardly believe what I've read! There's not a chance in hell this is real! "I-I don't understand... Why would she abandon the church?"

"Are you willing to keep trusting me, Rolan?" Petra shakes me again. "Rolan?"

I look through her like she's not even here. A sharp slap to the arm jolts me into painful focus. I give my skin a quick rub to ease the stinging.

"Sorry, Petra. Yes. I trust you, completely. You're one of the most honest and straightforward people here."

"If you are trusting of me then we should go using my plan." I'm tugged into Petra's arms; drawn into an unexpected squeeze. Unexpected but far from displeasing, given how edgy I feel right now. "We will win the tournament and I will be joining the Golden Deer. As a Student of the Professor I might be able to uncover more of the scary things I am fearing about Edelgard..."

It's not a bad idea - not at all. Miss Byleth is a talented woman through and through. Lady Rhea thinks so, too. She wouldn't have allowed our class try and search for clues about Zanado and the mysterious Flame Emperor character otherwise. Sure I wasn't sent on either of those missions, but all the Golden Deer were privy to the gossip. My guess is Petra sees how talented my ex-teacher is and hopes to get help with uncovering whatever Edelgard is planning.

A smart choice. But I'm no less nervous. For one important reason. I'm starting to feel for my new classmate. "You're my friend," I hold her with all of the care and compassion I can spare. "If you get hurt I won't live it down. Swear you'll be careful."

I'm not given the answer I'm expecting. Petra clasps my face with her clammy palms. "I will use much of the caution. I swear on my homeland."

She rises to her tiptoes and plants her lips against my forehead. I'm left stunned, speechless.

Her cheeks flare as she breaks the kiss. "You are a kind person. I am filled with happiness to know you."

"As am I, Princess. As am I." Our course set and the truth out in the open, I break free of Petra. Though not before thanking her honesty with a peck upon the cheek. "Goodnight, my lady. We'll train again soon, and thanks. You've been good to me. I won't forget it."

I leave Petra's dorm shortly afterward with a heavy heart, both blessed and cursed with newfound knowledge.

We've gotta win the upcoming competition no matter the cost. Whatever Edelgard and Hubert are planning can't be good.

To be continued...

And there we have it. Another chapter! Did you like it? Would you like to see more in future? Feel free to leave some feedback and share your thoughts. As always, keep on supporting Fire Emblem and I'll see you again soon! Tnanks again! Until next time.