Chapter 4: A Word with Aslan
When Aslan reached the destination point, he wanted to reach, Byleth dismounted from Aslan's back. Reepicheep jumped off Mercedes' shoulder, and the group went inside of a yellow and red tent. Then, that's when Aslan ordered Mercedes and Byleth to sit down.
"Where do you hail from?" Aslan asked Byleth and Mercedes.
"We hail from the continent of Fódlan, the land of Crests and home of Garreg Mach Monastery and the Church of Seiros." Byleth responded.
"Do you have any knowledge of this place whatsoever?" Aslan asked.
"I do not have knowledge of Narnia." Byleth said. "My student Mercedes, however, does have knowledge of you and other stuff about Narnia."
"Really?" Aslan asked. "Show proof to me."
"We can't show the proof to you." Byleth responded.
"Why not?" Aslan asked.
"It's because Mercedes left the proof back at the monastery at her dormitory." Byleth responded.
"I see. But I have yet to understand why this is the case." Aslan said. He later asked Reepicheep about their presence being known to other people in Narnia.
"No, Aslan. The presence of these people from Fódlan is not known to Narnian people yet. However, you can warn them of our conflict that Narnia is having at the moment." Reepicheep said.
"Alright, Reepicheep." Aslan said.
"We already know of the conflict." Byleth said.
"Tell us, and I will see if you are right or not." Aslan said.
"Narnia is war-torn, right?" Byleth asked Aslan.
"Yes." Aslan responded. "Narnia is war-torn."
"We were given these items." When Byleth continued speaking, Mercedes told him to wait.
"What is it, Mercedes?" Byleth asked. "I am trying to talk to Aslan and Reepicheep."
"My Crest is on this book cover right here!" Mercedes exclaimed. "Could that mean that my Crest is compatible with this book?"
"What Crest do you bear?" Byleth asked Mercedes.
"A Minor Crest of Lamine, inherited from Lamine of the Ten Elites." Mercedes answered.
"I see." Byleth said. "The book you have may be compatible with your Minor Crest, just like how the shield I was given may be compatible with my Crest."
"I like your resolve about Crests, there." Aslan said. "But it takes more knowledge than just that. Not even I know about the history of Crests. Why may you ask? Because I am not from Fódlan like you two are. Narnia is my forever home and will be my forever home."
Back at Garreg Mach Monastery in the continent of Fódlan, many people were wondering about the whereabouts of Byleth and Mercedes. However, the people who were really concerned were Archbishop Rhea, Byleth's father Jeralt Reus Eisner, and Mercedes' half-brother Jeritza von Hrym. All three were wondering where the holy vendor woman worked at. Seteth answered the question.
"She works here now. An artisan hired her yesterday, Lady Rhea." Seteth said.
"What… is the meaning of this?!" Archbishop Rhea asked.
"We need to get Byleth and Mercedes back here this instant! I mean, someone called the Flame Emperor is roaming around this holy place, and we cannot allow that to happen!" Seteth said.
"Seteth. Jeralt, Jeritza, and I will hunt down Mercedes and Byleth and I will speak to them about what happened." Rhea said. A knock was suddenly heard at the door. "You may enter." Rhea said. Shockingly, it was the Holy Vendor Woman the was encountered by Byleth and Mercedes earlier before they left for Narnia.
"Who are you?" Rhea asked the Holy Vendor Woman.
"I am a traveling holy vendor woman traveling across this bright and wonderful continent of Fódlan." The Holy Vendor Woman said. "I am looking for an individual with tan hair and blue stockings. For some reason, since I first set my eyes on her and that gentleman she was with, I have expressed interest in her."
"You're looking for Mercedes von Martritz, aren't you?" Jeritza asked.
"I am, indeed." The Holy Vendor Woman said. "I believe you are her half-brother, Jeritza von Hrym. I have heard a lot about you from somewhere else I have traveled to in this continent."
"Is that so?" Jeritza asked. "Then tell me what she has done with you."
"Her and a gentleman with turquoise hair and black attire bought a magical gem from me for a mere-whopping ten thousand gold pieces. And then, I hid behind the marketplace's vendor stand. And I saw the look upon their faces. And here's where they went to."
"Where did they go?" Seteth asked.
"They went to Narnia." The Holy Vendor Woman said. Everyone later gasped at the words of the woman.
"They went to Narnia when they were supposed to be punished?!" Seteth asked. "Rhea?! How could you have not seen this?!"
"Seteth!" Rhea screamed. "You must relax at once. Now as I said, Jeralt, Jeritza, and you and I are going to hunt down Byleth and Mercedes. Chances are they could be in danger!"
"You could be right on your words." Seteth said. He later asked the Holy Vendor Woman how the group could get to Narnia.
"This may help." The Holy Vendor Woman said as she handed them a medium-sized gold coin with Aslan's face on it.
"How will this help?" Jeralt asked. "It's just a coin with a lion on it."
"Just place it down on the solid floor." The Holy Vendor Woman said. As Jeralt placed the coin down, the coin started to glow. Then, as soon as Jeralt stepped on the coin, he was gone. The same happened with Jeritza, Rhea, and Seteth. However, one of the students of the Officers Academy, particularly a Blue Lions student named Annette Fantine Dominic, decided to follow them as she too was worried about Mercedes. Her father, a Knight of Seiros named Gilbert, attempted to stop her.
"Annette, no!" Gilbert said.
"Father!" Annette said. "I must save Mercedes. She could be in danger. And I certainly do not want my own classmate in danger." As Annette stepped on the coin after turning around, Gilbert was shocked with despair growing in his eyes. He hoped his only daughter would be safe.
Back in Narnia, Byleth and Mercedes sat with Aslan. They were still talking about themselves, and their respective worlds. Aslan was willing to hear more out of them. However, a horn was soon heard in the distance, and a minotaur's roar was later heard along with it. This could have meant trouble for everyone in Narnia. Aslan was ready for anything that could come his way.