Louise de la Valliere, Eighth Dragon of Halkegenia

by Gallian Squad 7

Or that's how history knows her. Demon-Slayer, Peace Maker, Champion of Nations, Archon. History knows her as a champion and leader of the world in the darkest of times, alongside her lovers. What most don't know is that the savior was once an abject failure. It was on her last chance, upon the edge of despair, that her life changed. And with it, history. LouisexYuri!Harem

9. First Blood

Alright! Thanks to the wonders of playing Three Houses, I have discovered a way for us to cover the journeys of our little group during their training! After all, even with Neb's immense knowledge and the wisdom both Colbert and Osmond can provide, the kids need practical experience.

And that means putting pointy bits into squishy bits!

Fun for the whole family!

First Blood

In the end, Louise would not awaken until evening.

In the meantime, Neb excused Siesta to look after the catatonic girl, very clearly holding back Tabitha and Henrietta from going after the maid. While that was happening, he addressed the princess. "Your Majesty, I'm going to need a full list of your skills and talents before I can include you in our plans."

Henrietta's gaze remained on the tower Siesta had run to with Louise in her arms. "Well… I'm a triangle water mage, though I've been told I've the potential to be a square in a few years. I have extensive schooling in politics, etiquette, religion, economics, and I was starting to learn military subjects when the betrothal talks began."

"So, I can assume you have no training in weapons beyond your wand?" Neb queried, a small nod her answer. "Very well, I'll see what we can figure out for you. This lot finished running already, and considering you just arrived…"

His heads rose up and held a conference, Kirche walking up to the princess with a curious frown. "So… you want us to be casual with you, despite everything we've been taught telling us otherwise?"

Henrietta put on her award-winning smile. "Of course, we're comrades in this endeavor. It would ill behoove us to think of rank now."

"Still weird…" Kirche muttered to herself before trying her best. "Alright Yo… Henrietta. Apologies in advance if decorum pops up."

Henrietta's smile didn't waver. "No need, I'm not so arrogant as to believe so many years of etiquette are easily overcome. Do you mind introducing yourself on a more formal basis, now that we'll be meeting every day?"

Kirche smirked, appreciating the irony. "Well, you already know my name, but you can just call me Kirche. My hobbies currently are taking care of my darling Flame and trying to survive this sadistic lizard we call a teacher. Beyond that… well, Louise dragged me and Tabby into vocal coaching."

Henrietta's smile faltered just a tad. "Oh…? I never knew that Louise sung, but it must be part of Sir Neb's plans. I look forward to working with you, Kirche."

Tabitha went next, if only because Henrietta looked to her. "…Tabitha, reading and Sylphid. Working… on spears. And listening."

She ignored the frown she got from such a short introduction and went over to ask Colbert for advice on how to channel wind to amplify sound. With her gone, Guiche took his turn and bowed deeply at the waist. "I am Guiche de Gramont, Your Highness! I am working to prove myself a master of the blade and tactical matters alongside my magic! Sir Neb has insisted I learn how to play a lute as well."

Henrietta nodded and looked to the last of the party, Montmorency bowing respectfully. "Montmorency de Montmorency, Your Highness. Much to my… distaste, I continue my studies of poultices and magic whilst begrudgingly learning the use of a sword. The lizard is forcing me to learn the flute."

Henrietta allowed a rueful grin to tug at her lips. "It appears my new instructor is fond of music. He'll doubtlessly be glad to know I've been trained in the harp as part of my education. Though… will I need to learn a weapon of my own?"

It was merely a thought, but everyone who heard looked aghast. The image of the princess using a weapon of any sort felt… wrong. Even an ornate sword like monarchs past just didn't fit the girl before them.

Neb came down from his conference and gave Henrietta a closer look. "That's good to hear indeed, but I will have you learning a weapon or two like the others. Your magical prowess is not in question if my understanding of this world's system is correct. Unfortunately, magic is not always practical for defense, so if you don't mind…"

His other heads produced a series of knotted strings and pins. "Please hold still so I can get the necessary measurements."

Henrietta stared at him, openly gaping at the absurd request. She looked over to see the others with their backs to her and whistling innocent tunes. Before she could contemplate such casual betrayal, Neb started his work.

"Second tallest girl after Kirche." He noted, strings flying about alongside the pins holding them in place. "Arms are fairly long, same with the legs, good hips and shoulders, fantastic posture."

Henrietta stood there in total mortification as Neb rattled off her measurements for all to hear. There was a spark of relief when she noticed cotton stuffing the audience's ears, but she had to wonder what prompted them to have it ready!

Eventually, Neb put the string and pins away. "Alright, so to no one's surprise, you'll be learning polearms. However, you also have a good build for archery and hand-to-hand. I highly recommend all of them as I'll have a sparring partner for you no matter what."

Henrietta didn't have time to regain her voice before Neb looked away. "Well, we can hold off on that. I need to get weights in your size ordered, so if you'll excuse me."

He started to walk away before pausing and addressing Colbert. "Professor, if you could guide our new addition to her room, it would be appreciated. The rest of you, see to your personal projects or assist Henrietta with her luggage. She brought quite the carriage."

No one said anything until the hydra was gone. Once he was, Colbert put on his most reassuring smile and pulled the cotton from his ears. "Your Highness, what did Sir Neb ask of us?"

Henrietta took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "…He requested that you show me to my room, Sir Colbert. He also told my fellows to either go about their… personal projects or assist me in moving."

Colbert nodded and looked to the others. "You heard her, do what you will. Those of you that want to help with the luggage, grab the cases and return here, I'll guide you there after I show Her Majesty."

Tabitha nodded and set off for the carriage, Kirche giving Henrietta a friendly wave before following. Guiche ran after the pair and, though she wore a scowl, Montmorency followed. The princess looked after them before sighing. "Oh my. I wonder what I've gotten myself into."

"A long road for sure." Colbert answered with a kind smile. "But… you know more about hard roads than most, don't you?"

Henrietta's frown turned into a sad grin. "Yes… I suppose I do. Before we go, may I inquire as to where Headmaster Osmond went?"

Colbert chuckled. "The moment Lady Valliere was taken away he left. I have a feeling he spotted the measuring strings on Sir Neb and made himself scarce to avoid the temptation. The man's a letch, but even he has standards."

Henrietta giggled, cheered by the professor's affable demeanor. "Tis good of him to leave then. Alright, we've tarried long enough. The sooner I'm moved in the sooner I can get to work."

"Don't be too hasty to fall under Sir Neb's tutelage." Colbert warned gently as he started to guide the princess. "As motivating and wise as he is, the hydra works his charges to the bone. In addition, he always expects nothing but your best, and he's not afraid to use pain if he doesn't see your best."

Henrietta gulped but pushed the unease down. "I… expected as much given the short time frame. Even more so with myself, as I'm a month behind the others."

Colbert hummed as they reached the tower, not speaking beyond brief directions and pointing out the various common rooms. Only when they reached a familiar hallway and spotted Siesta did Colbert address Henrietta directly. "Your room is going to be next to Lady Valliere's. We already passed Lady Tabitha's room at the entrance of this hall and Lady Zerbst is across from Lady Valliere."

Henrietta nodded; eyes glued to Siesta. "Understood. Ms. Siesta, how fares our mutual friend?"

The maid curtsied out of habit. "Milady… rests comfortably. I do not believe she will awake for some time yet, so I believed it prudent to return and assist in some capacity."

"Good timing then." Colbert praised, gesturing to a door further down the hall. "Can you help Her Majesty settle into her new room? The previous occupant was… thorough when they left."

Siesta rose from her curtsy and nodded. "I will do all I can, Professor Colbert. Um, I assume she has her fair share of luggage?"

"I do." Henrietta answered. "But your friends have volunteered to assist in bringing it here. Professor Colbert, would you be so kind as to guide them here? I'm sure Ms. Siesta can help me organize everything already inside."

Colbert nodded and gave a respectful bow before striding away. When he was out of earshot, Henrietta slumped a bit. "Ms. Siesta, can I confide in you for a moment?"

The maid blinked but gave hesitant agreement. When she did, Henrietta slumped further. "To be honest, I hate that everyone's still being so respectful despite us all being comrades now. Should everything go as Neb and his… foreign gods predict, station will mean nothing."

She shook her head ruefully. "Forgive my frustration, but I felt it needed to be said. I know I cannot count on it, but would you please refer to me as just Henrietta? I've a life-time of formalities already, and I'd prefer to be friends with those I will one day fight beside."

Siesta looked mortified at the very idea, but something in Henrietta's gaze made her stop short of outright denying it. Could it… really hurt? It was a direct request from the princess herself and she'd come through on the pension…

"Very well… H-Henrietta."

The princess perked up at Siesta's mangled mumble of her name. "Wonderful! Thank you so much, Ms… no, Siesta. Please lead the way, I'm eager to see where I'll be staying the next few months."

Siesta nodded and went to the door Colbert designated, a quick test of the handle showing it unlocked. Opening the door, Siesta stepped in and looked around. "A little… dusty, but nothing we can't work with."

Henrietta followed behind and giggled. The room was bare of all save a desk and bedframe, everything covered in a light layer of dust. Not much of a surprise for a room vacated a month ago. Thankfully she'd come prepared. "As you say, we can work with this. Let's get the dust out of here."

Siesta blinked before Henrietta pulled out her wand and began to chant. Eddies of wind blew gently through the room, dust gathering in the flow. Siesta couldn't help a cute sneeze as the dust was stirred. Henrietta giggled at the sneeze, the scent of dew in the air as she used the slightest bit of water to make the dust clump into neat piles.

Within moments, she'd cleared the entire room of dust and gathered it all into a few piles. "There we are, ready to move in. I apologize for taking your work from you, but I'm sure there'll be plenty more. I can't just lift my cases with a spell after all."

Siesta took a moment to process it all before shaking her head. "I… will assist in setting up the room then. I didn't know you would use magic for such… mundane reasons."

"Most of the nobility consider themselves above such things." Henrietta answered with a sigh. "Truth be told, if they weren't so above it all, we'd live in a society of plenty. But that is not the world we live in."

She cleared her mind of such poor thoughts. "That is not pertinent. I have something of an idea of where my things should go, but I'd greatly appreciate your insights. You keep Louise's room after all."

Siesta giggled nervously and went into the hall, passing the princess with ill-concealed nervousness. "I'll… do all I can. Um, shall we check on the others? I'm sure they'll be here soon."

Henrietta shook her head. "I'll stay here, you can go ahead. If nothing else, I'd like to start figuring out what I want on my desk."

Siesta felt a twinge of annoyance in the smile Henrietta was giving her, as if a part of the princess wanted Siesta to leave. It wasn't hostile, or perhaps even conscious, but Siesta still felt it. Thankfully, the sound of voices and the rattle of cases echoed down the hall and the annoyance was gone.

"Hello you two!" Kirche greeted the moment she saw them. In hand was a large case, with a procession of bronze golems behind her carrying many more. "I am amazed you brought so many things, Henrietta."

The princess laughed awkwardly. "It was… hard to bring that much, truth be told. My mother and guards tried to pack a great deal more, and I caught my captain trying to stow away amongst it all. Parring it down to a single carriage and convincing my captain to remain in the capital was… difficult."

She moved aside to let them in. "But that's a story for later, come in! I know it's a lot of items, but I'm sure we can get it all organized!"

Siesta, who was counting the cases and mentally running through the room… started to cry on the inside. There was no way in this reality to fit all those cases and the items they held in the room.

Looks like we'll be making a storage room… great.

Another thing to keep track of.

-A Few Hours Later-

Siesta proved correct once again, cementing her status as master of the mundane.

Dramatics aside, Siesta was glad to put the last of the extra cases into an agreed upon storage room. The princess had cases upon cases of various materials both mundane and magical, Montmorency practically giddy at the sight of it. If her excited muttering meant anything, they had all the materials they could want.

Potions aside, Henrietta had presented Tabitha and Kirche with the rewards they'd been promised after catching Fouquet. Tabitha was clearly thankful for the wind stones, if the smile she wore so long after getting them meant anything. Kirche though was so overjoyed she'd hugged Henrietta.

The princess was initially surprised by the embrace but returned it with a smile when Kirche tried to back up and apologize. Kirche wouldn't stop grinning after that, but whether at the fire ruby or the returned hug was up for debate.

Once all of that was over, there was still the matter of getting Henrietta's room in order. While the princess handled her personal effects, Siesta directed Guiche and his golems in the heavier tasks such as putting the mattress down and placing furniture. The other noble girls helped with decorating the place, but Siesta and Tabitha left when that started.

Neither were much for such… specialized tasks.

As such, when Henrietta was finally settled and left to see about getting caught up with the training schedule, she found Siesta and Tabitha engaged in a spar. The former had a quarterstaff in hand while the latter had two wooden daggers.

The princess watched in keen interest as the duelists attacked and defended, Siesta favoring hit and run attacks while Tabitha held her ground and focused on defense. When their roles were reversed, Tabitha went for efficient jabs hoping to break Siesta's guard while the maid focused solely on dodging.

A single opening showed why, as a strong smack from Tabitha sent Siesta rolling when she was forced to block with her daggers. Henrietta wanted to intervene, but Kirche strode up behind her and held her back. "Just watch."

Henrietta looked to rebuke her, but it died in her throat as Siesta flipped back to her feet. The maid smirked at her opponent and took a stance with one dagger in front and the other low and back. She charged Tabitha, brazenly aiming for the smaller girl's ribs, only to duck when the counterstrike came.

Tabitha silently cursed her error as Siesta's forward knife knocked aside the staff. Then she had to retreat as the second drove into her ribs, driving the air from her lungs. Siesta didn't let her retreat far, pressing her advantage and tackling Tabitha to the ground.

By the time she knew what was going on, Tabitha found a blunt tip at her throat. "…I yield."

Siesta nodded and got off her opponent, an offered hand accepted and the two started going over what they'd done. So engrossed were they that the audience of Henrietta and Kirche went unnoticed.

"Is… it always like this?" Henrietta queried after a moment to regain her thoughts. "It seems so… violent, for the first month of training."

Kirche shrugged. "Neb's trying to get us combat ready as soon as he can, and for him that means spars. We must take them seriously and act like we're fighting for our lives or Neb will dole out a punishment. Usually laps or some-such. Louise ran a lot that first week."

Henrietta shuddered at the idea, but she could at least understand it. There was just the matter of if she could do such a thing. "Um… I assume he wants some level of physical conditioning before anyone partakes in the spars?"

"Right you are." Neb confirmed as he stomped up to them, his other heads off to the side and offering advice to the fighters. "I need to see how hard I have to run you in order to get you ready for the strain of these spars. Not to mention get you used to this."

He held out a long staff with a wooden blade at the end. It was curved and looked built for slashing. As far as Henrietta knew, this was no spear or other polearm she knew of. "What is this?"

"A weapon the Kensei of my home were fond of." Neb answered. "Most of them preferred swords for combat, honor-bound as they were, but those with good sense used these to fight off the sea monsters that came by every so often. The one you'd be using is a great deal smaller than theirs, but the point stands."

Henrietta hummed and took the wooden weapon. "I… see. Um, what else will I be learning?"

"Well, that weapon isn't a sure thing." Neb mused, his other heads returning from giving their advice. "I also have swords on the ledger for you alongside a surprise. Really, I haven't mentioned it yet, but when we have everyone together next I wouldn't mind sharing."

He gestured for Kirche and Henrietta to follow him. "For now, if we're all packed up and settled, let's get back to work. Henrietta, you'll be observing for today. Once you have an idea of the schedule, we'll have you join the exercises tomorrow."

As Neb strode away, Kirche started to stretch and smiled at the princess. "Well, enjoy the rest of the day while you can. Right now, we get to go beat the stuffing out of practice dummies until lunch. After that's lessons of all sorts."

Odd as it was, Henrietta felt… excited. "Then let's be on our way."

Kirche laughed and led the princess to the next series of lessons, silently wondering if that eager spark would still be there that time tomorrow.

-Louise, Night-

She awoke to see a room swathed in darkness and moonbeams, a few blinks rousing her fully. "What… happened?"

Louise sat up and rubbed her eyes, trying to piece together how she'd been returned to her room. She'd woken up per usual, gone through the morning's exercises, and…

"Founder's Blood!" She swore as the rest of her memory rushed back. "I made a complete nuisance of myself in front of the Princess!"

Louise threw her covers off and ran from the room, somehow realizing she was still dressed in her clothes from that morning. In her haste, she barely noticed the fire light glowing through the windows as she descended. So oblivious in fact that she nearly ate a torch.

"Louise!" Guiche yelped as the doors to the tower slammed open and Louise charged into him. "You're awake!"

Louise ignored him and the torch he was carrying, not caring that her haste nearly burned her. Instead her gaze whipped about. "Where's Her Majesty?!"

Guiche collected himself and pointed to the courtyard, where a bonfire crackled merrily in the night. "She's relaxing with the others while I take first watch. It's my turn tonight. Are you alright?"

Louise ignored him and took off running, almost skidding to a stop when she was close enough to see Henrietta sitting before the fire. "Your Majesty!"

Henrietta jumped at the sudden shout, but her look of surprise turned to relief when she spotted Louise. "Oh, Louise, I'm so glad to see you amongst the living again! I'm sorry my arrival was such a shock."

Louise kneeled; voice heavy with apology. "It's I who should be apologizing to you, Your Majesty! I made a nuisance of myself rather than assist you with settling in as I should have!"

Henrietta breathed a silent sigh. "Louise, there's no need for such an apology. I arrived unannounced with full knowledge that it would shock you, the fault is mine. Please, relax and enjoy the night."

Louise stood slowly, clearly wishing to say more. Perhaps beg for forgiveness? It was the only way to assuage the feeling of guilt that came from worrying her oldest friend. At least to her.

"Hey, Louise!"

Thankfully the familiar call of Kirche and the smell of food distracted her from such ideas. The redhead and Tabitha soon joined the gathering at the fire, trays of food in hand. Behind them came Montmorency with several bottles of wine, her usual look of consternation replaced with a neutral gaze.

"Good to see you up." Kirche laughed as she put the trays down. "Neb's real mad at you for missing the lectures."

Tabitha smiled at Louise, silently enjoying the flash of horror that crossed her face. "…Took notes for you. Go over later."

The relief that broke over her expression made Henrietta silently nervous. "With that taken care of, would you all mind filling me in on what's been happening since I was last here? I'd like to get as caught up as I can now that I've seen what you do each day."

"Not exactly the best way to spend dinner." Montmorency noted as she laid out the bottles. "But if you insist, I don't think anyone would mind with Osmond's personal stock getting opened."

Louise got a good look at the bottles and grinned. "Holy mackerel! Look at that, I knew he had good stuff hidden away!"

"Glad to know my choice of wine is common gossip." Osmond harrumphed as he melted out of the shadows, scaring the girls. "But having Her Highness join us is a special enough occasion for me to overlook that."

Colbert swiftly joined the Headmaster, usual kindly smile in place. "Indeed, and I look forward to seeing the students blossom further still this month. It's quite fun helping Sir Neb with his lessons."

Osmond gave him a flat look. "That's only because you're not the one being taught, Colby."

Colbert's awkward laugh lightened the air and the girls laughed with them. Before another conversation could start, Siesta ran up to the gathering with a blanket in hand, beaming at Louise. "Milady, you've awoken! Thank heaven, I was afraid Neb would grow truly cross if you didn't join us soon."

Louise shuddered at the idea but was able to compose herself. "Well that won't happen, so get that blanket spread so we can eat! I don't know about you, but I didn't get lunch."

Her stomach chose then to growl, a mortified blush rising on her cheeks while everyone let out good natured laughs. As Louise tried to regain her composure, a heavy object settled on her shoulder and she glanced over to see a golden eye staring at you. "Good evening. I assume you won't be fainting dead away in our princess's presence now?"

Louise tried to look dignified. "Of course not, I was merely shocked this morning. I will do all I can to help Her Majesty settle into the training."

"You can start by calling me Henrietta." The girl in question stated gently. "We are comrades here, Louise, do not mind my station. I know it's hard for you, but please try. For me?"

The way she said that raised more than one brow, but Louise gave hesitant agreement. "I… promise to try, at the very least. Also, Neb, can you get your head off me? It's starting to hurt."

Neb chuffed and pulled his head away, his great bulk circling the fire opposite where everyone else sat. "Now then, it's time for dinner. Guiche should be done with his patrol soon, so Kirche, you get first serving tonight."

The girl in question cheered and they fell into chatter. It mostly centered around getting Henrietta further up to speed on what they'd been learning alongside a few abbreviated lessons from Osmond and Colbert. Neb spent the time observing his charges, wondering at how swiftly Henrietta fell into being part of the group.

Eventually, everyone had a turn on patrol and ate their fill. Once all were gathered together, Neb's tail banged the ground. "Alright, with that done it's time for our last lessons of the day. Headmaster, would you like to assist tonight alongside Colbert?"

Osmond hummed and stroked his beard before nodding, Henrietta watching in fascination as the others settled into different spots. Louise and Tabitha sat together, Kirche across from them and next to Neb. Siesta sat beside Montmorency and Guiche, the trio producing small instruments from a sack Siesta retrieved during the revelry.

"Henrietta, I don't believe I formally asked yet." Neb called to her after everyone settled down. "But music of some-sort was part of your education, yes?"

Henrietta tilted her head in thought before grinning. "Yes, it was. I was trained in the harp from an early age alongside the flute. Personally though, I quite liked the fiddle and snuck in practice whenever I could."

She winked at the hydra, noting his every maw stretch into pleased grins.

"Then we have our full accompaniment." Neb rumbled with joy. "And just for that, I'll share a tale with everyone tonight. But first, if someone could get Henrietta a harp, we'll get to practicing."

Henrietta blinked and suddenly everyone was strumming and singing warm-ups, the sounds not exactly harmonizing. She could tell Neb was less than pleased with the noise, as his heads swiftly went about to critique everyone. Before long, she found a rough harp in hand and was strumming along with them.

"I can already see the question in your eyes." Neb huffed as the warm-ups continued. "Our resources are not going to be infinite once we set out on our mission. Even if we can get by on bounties and grateful townsfolk, cities require… something else. A traveling band of bards will get access and coin far easier than mercenaries."

Henrietta understood the logic well enough. "True, but as I am aware of the mission surely my aid would be enough. Even if it's discreet."

Neb shook his head and silently ended the warm-ups. "Much as I appreciate the offer, we will be traveling all over the continent if not beyond in search of these relics. Royal support is better spent elsewhere while we remain independent. Assuming of course there's still a Tristain by such a point."

His harsh words didn't go over well with his master, who started verbally tearing him a new one. Henrietta though knew he spoke true and could only curse her own powerlessness. If only the stalemate in Albion would break, one way or another, something could be done.

Neb sighed and bopped Louise's head to get her to stop. After she was quiet, Neb returned their attention to the matter at hand. "Now then, let's run through our sets. I still have a tale to tell and I think you'd all prefer that before turning in for the night."

His idea was swiftly agreed on and they set off, music flowing through the night. Neb made more than one sarcastic remark about the tempo, but he let it slide for tonight. He did have a tale to tell after all, and it was one he enjoyed sharing.

The tale was of the orc chief Gotai and his quest for vengeance against a mad archbishop name Alaric. Colbert created images in the bonfire based on Neb's descriptions, showcasing the great invasion Gotai led against the Red Church and its lands, while Osmond created maps in the earth. He then told of Gotai's visit to the Silver Cities and his meeting with Archmage Zehir, shortly after he'd slain the mad Alaric. Then he told of the great battle in Talonguard that led to the Demon Sovreign's defeat.

When asked by Henrietta how he knew so many details, Neb revealed that he'd heard them from Gotai himself. The hydra had been part of the forces that attacked Talonguard and he'd met with the leaders of the battle shortly after Kha-Beleth was defeated.

"Now that was an orc, almost as great as Kunyak." Neb sighed when his tale came to an end. "Driven, serious, practical. But most of all he cared for the plight of his people and only attacked those that dared enslave them. I was there in his later years as Khan and he was a wise ruler that I learned much from."

His audience considered the tale for a time before Colbert stood. "And I'm sure we can learn something from his example as well. For now, though, I believe it is time we all return to our rooms and rest. Tomorrow is bound to be a long day."

"It will be, but there's one last thing to announce." Neb interjected, standing as well. "I've been mulling on this, but I've decided to add hand-to-hand combat to the training regimen."

Louise looked aghast. "You want us to punch people? Are you daft!? We're not common brawlers looking for a fight! We're supposed to be… heroic or something!"

Neb sighed at the murmurs of agreement. "I say it only so you have another back-up, especially those of you that are diminutive and weak-looking. No one expects a little lady to know how to throw a punch."

Everyone not named Louise sniggered at her indignant scowl, even Henrietta. "Well you can't have the princess roll about in the dirt like a boar, that's far beneath her!"

Every eye went to Henrietta, who put on a reassuring smile. She knew Louise wouldn't like her answer. "I see know issue with learning how to defend myself, no matter what form that defense takes. Besides, I find the idea quite humorous outside the practical aspects."

Neb crowed victory as Louise slumped in defeat. "Then a part of the training it will be! Who's ready to beat the snot out of each other?"

The lack of an enthusiastic response made Neb growl internally.

Looks like he'd need to make them excited.

-Two Weeks Later-

And he sure did. Excited to beat the snot out of him as he ramped up the intensity.

Neb ran Henrietta harder than any of the others, both out of a desire to see her catch up as quickly as possible and the belief she could take it. It wasn't like she had much choice in the matter. The others were starting to get used to the weight of blunt, metal weapons.

She needed to be either on-par or just behind them and fast.

Thankfully Louise was… zealous in her application of the unique healing spell she had. Normally Neb forbid its use beyond making sure no one was injured during the exercises. However, with Henrietta being at the expected physical abilities of one who mostly either walked or rode, it was needed.

To Henrietta's credit, she fell into the routine of exercising and lessons with aplomb. While she was far behind from a physical standpoint, she was far more knowledgeable in several matters than her peers. Neb even gave over some of the lessons to her when it came to topics of diplomacy.

With all that going for her, Henrietta was soon running in step with Montmorency, the weakest runner of the group. She'd made up for over a month of training in two weeks and she could not fault the harsh methods imposed to get her there.

Didn't stop her from joining the 'Make Neb Pay' coalition, but she was never one to deny results when they came. Especially when today was the day they'd get to practice with actual, sharp weapons. And supposedly beat the snot out of each other.

"Gather round, young and old!" Neb hollered after the morning's exercises, wearing what looked like a silly straw hat on each of his heads. "Today, we see if the hatchlings can swing a blade without chopping their hands off!"

His students were less than amused by the idea, wrapped weapons set before them. Louise had Derflinger front and center, as he was her sword, and the damn thing was already adding commentary. "Wow, the big lug looks excited! Aren't you looking forward to slicing some dastards up?"

Louise flicked the pommel. "We're not going to be slicing up any dastards you twat. We're just starting real weapon training."

"Took long enough." Kirche agreed, a claymore's wrapped blade bouncing on her shoulder. "Blunt stuff only does so much for us now, better to move on."

Tabitha agreed, silently inspecting the poleaxe she'd be using. A short spear was her preferred armament, it let her use her staff, but today was strictly non-magic. If they didn't show adequate improvement, it was back to the blunt weapons.

Guiche was too busy testing the balance of his saber to say anything. His golems would do a great deal of the fighting for him while he acted as their commander, so he was given a sword that did better holding off enemies.

Montmorency tossed, of all things, a hand axe into the air. "I can't believe I ended up so proficient with such a barbarous weapon. At least an estoc is elegant enough for a lady, but this?"

She surreptitiously threw the hand-axe, somehow landing a perfect bullseye on an archery target. While everyone else marveled over the show of accuracy, Montmorency grabbed her estoc and started testing it.

Not to be out-done, Siesta tried her hand with a knife, the keen blade whirring through the air before embedding into another bullseye. "Hm, honed blades fly differently than the blunt ones. I was aiming for the top of that target."

She grabbed a dagger and twirled it in her hand. "This is very light too. I'm almost afraid there's not enough metal."

Henrietta held firm to her weapon, the curved blade at the end of the staff wrapped like everything else. "Well, it means they're properly balanced. And we're strong enough to think them light."

Neb cleared his throats and gestured to them. "Indeed, and as I said, today is the day you actually get to use them. First, unwrap your blades."

They did so.

Neb looked them over carefully as the students beheld their weapons in their full glory, only Louise unfazed by Derf's blade. Once they were done gawking and going through some practice motions, Neb grabbed their attention. "Alright, now the way we're going to practice today is simple."

He pointed to a large stack of logs and sacks tied into vague dummies. "The lot of you are going to turn that pile into a complete mess. Test your forms, strikes, and defenses until I say otherwise. Whenever a dummy's destroyed, I'll replace it."

He set up several, and after a few tentative minutes testing the waters, his students took to destroying the dummies with gusto. Kirche's strength was a sight to behold, bisecting the dummy whenever she got the range right. So too was Tabitha's precision, going straight for the joints and neck.

Secretly though, he wondered at Siesta. She focused mostly on figuring out the new trajectory of her knives, but aimed for vital points with unerring accuracy. She'd even gotten into a competition with Montmorency by the looks of it, each throwing their weapon of choice before dashing in and spilling straw all over the ground.

It was a good sight yet worrying. Even more so as he observed Louise, who attacked the dummy with savage abandon one moment before stopping on a dime and parrying invisible blows. Just like he'd taught her, but… it felt wrong.

It came to him as Henrietta laughed, a blow of hers taking the head of a dummy off. "Wow, I'm amazed that something like this can chop through a log with so little effort!"

They were enjoying this. It really shouldn't have been a surprise, none of them has so much as stuck a pig before. Even Siesta hadn't done it, she'd told him as much weeks ago when he asked why the other servants butchered the animals, but she didn't.

It looked like he'd need to impress a very important lesson on them. Something that was going to be painful for all involved, but they couldn't hide from it. His students needed blood on their hands, to feel the warm liquid of life flow. Magic such as theirs made killing too easy, too clean. Even now Louise barely batted an eye if her attempts at a silence spell blew his leg off.

That needed to change. "Osmond, did that information come in?"

The headmaster looked up to the hydra, silently observing per usual. "…Yes. I assume it's time then?"

"It will be." Neb grunted, almost snarling as Montmorency split a dummy's head open with a crow of victory. "Something I always observed was that those that didn't see battle soon after getting access to real weapons rarely valued life. I don't know why, but I always chalked it up to a power trip."

Osmond stroked his beard. "I don't think that's the case, but perhaps the people of your lands were simply reared differently. Here it takes a great deal of training to be able to kill as war demands. I think the students are simply marveling at the strength they've gained."

Neb's annoyance cooled at the observation. "…That is perhaps true, I hadn't considered it. Regardless, they will soon require practical experience. Fighting against each other, even as intense the spars are, cannot replicate honestly fighting for your life."

Osmond couldn't dispute that. "…Very well, I'll see to getting the information in order. Keep them safe."

"They will return intact." Neb sighed as Osmond left. "Unscarred though? That I cannot guarantee."

He received no answer and Neb shook his heads of such thoughts. "Alright, everyone, find a sparring partner! We'll practice hand-to-hand until lunch!"

The hydra was not expecting the students to toss their weapons aside and charge him screaming bloody murder! He gave an undignified squawk at the attack and attempted to retreat, only to be overcome as his students leapt upon him. They proceeded to use him as a meaty punching bag while airing their grievances against him.

"I get it!" Neb snapped as he rolled and threw them off. He refused to let Tabitha hold one of his heads in a chokehold any longer. "Your grievances are heard, now get off me!"

The students were laughing as they rolled to a stop, amused by the noise Neb had made and his confused flailing. They knew no manner of simple punches or kicks would ever actually hurt the hydra, but Founder was it good to vent on him.

Neb for his part glowered at them. "What have I said about hair-brained schemes?"

"That only fools don't consider them." Siesta answered, her mirth more subdued than the others. "You always tell us to think outside the box."

The familiar clack of Derf drew Neb's attention. "She's got ya there! If there's one thing you've been harping on in the lectures, it's that!"

Neb silently cursed being backed into a corner by his own words. "Even still, there are plans that might work and those that cannot work. Had I been briefly reduced to a simple beast; you'd all be dead."

"Or I could've been there." Said a flaming Neb head, Arkath taking control to laugh at the hydra for a moment. "Made a nice roast."

Neb, used to this type of interruption by now, shook his head. "Would defeat the purpose methinks, but I believe they got the point."

It was rather odd to see Neb's approach to the interruptions change. At first he was properly differential, as expected, but as the interruptions turned into more mundane checks or comments, he started snarking back. Unless it was Malassa or Elrath, he didn't dare sass them.

Arkath laughed and faded away, Neb's attention focused on his students as they stopped laughing. "Anyway, with that travesty out of the way, find your partners. Louise, for the love of all that's holy, spar with Henrietta for once. You can't avoid it forever."

Louise looked to protest, but Henrietta put a hand on her shoulder. "Louise, he's right. I want to get better and so do you, aiding in that is what friends are for. Besides, you can only throw hands with Guiche so many times."

The young nominal leader of the group made a noise of frustration before capitulating. "…Fine, if it will please you."

"Put her in the dirt!" Kirche cheered as she squared up with Montmorency. No one really wanted to spar with her hand-to-hand since she had superior reach, but that's what rotations were for. "I've got five silver on you losing Louise!"

Louise glared at her. "And when did you start making bets on this!"

"When we first heard about it." Siesta informed, playing referee to Tabitha and Guiche's bout. "If it helps, Tabitha and I bet against her."

Louise turned to scowl at her. "Your bets on me don't count, you work for me. Thanks for the vote of confidence I guess, but sheesh."

Siesta gave her a helpless shrug and Guiche decided to throw fuel on the fire. "I've thrown in two gold that you'll never land a hit on the princess, same with Montmorency! If you do somehow get over yourself, I'll pay for dinner in town!"

Louise perked up at that, but it was not meant to be. She hadn't been paying attention and Neb padded over to give the start signal. By the time she knew what was going on, Henrietta ran up and landed a solid sucker-punch into her gut.

"…Dirty… hit…" Louise wheezed as the air was forced from her lungs. "Ugh…"

She promptly slumped to the dirt as Henrietta flew into a panic. While they were thus distracted, Tabitha laid out Guiche in one shot while Montmorency put Kirche on her ass.

"And they're to set out on a mission before long." Neb muttered to himself, Derf held in one maw. "I fear for them now."

Derf did his best to roll eyes that weren't there. "They're still green, don't know what's out there. Maybe in their minds, but they need to see it."

Neb sighed as Derf kept going. "I can tell that, behind all the bluster, you want them to keep their innocence, to only play at matters of life and death."

"But they can't be children and fight what is to come." Neb finished with a bitter whisper, "I know. You're not the first to tell me this, and I doubt you'll be the last. It's just… always hard. No matter if they go back to their old ways, once that innocence is gone, they are changed."

Derf sighed at that. "True… but it is something they have to face. They won't take this as seriously as they need to until it happens."

Neb said no more, their conversation passing unnoticed by the students. For the rest of the day, he instructed them as usual. It wasn't much, but Louise knew her familiar better than anyone there. She could tell he was brooding on something, but what was it?

"…Thinking?"

Louise jolted from her thoughts and looked over. She was with Tabitha in the bath, essentially their private meeting spot at this point, and it looked like they were alone. "…Where's Siesta?"

Tabitha tilted her head. "…Helping the others with dinner. We… got first bath."

"Right-right." Louise said, shaking her head and inadvertently smacking Tabitha with her wet hair. "Oh… sorry."

Tabitha shrugged. "…No big deal. What's… on your mind."

"Neb," Louise groaned, sinking further into the water. "He's been weird ever since the spars this morning. Barely reacted when one of his heads turned into Ylath and screeched at us for fun."

Tabitha held in a chuckle at the reminder. Poor Siesta had leapt clear of her seat when that happened. "…Anything you can think of?"

"That's just it, I can't." Louise grumbled, blowing bubbles in the water as she sunk further.

Tabitha hummed in thought for a time before venturing a guess. "Perhaps… he is worried about our progress? We've… made strides… but…"

Louise surfaced and leaned against the bath's edge. "We were acting like children after we got to use the shiny bits, yeah. Then there was our little revenge plan. Maybe… we're not taking this seriously enough for his liking."

Tabitha scooted next to her, eyes fixed on the ceiling. "…Taking it serious though. Princess is here."

"Yeah, but until a short while ago, the sharpest thing any of us have held is a steak knife." Louise grumbled, also staring at the ceiling. "From what I can tell, the people he's trained before this were either brought up learning this or already had a campaign under their belt. What do we have?"

Tabitha glanced over to see Louise's marked hand. "…Potential, he's said as much. We'll… get there, eventually."

"I just fear it won't be fast enough, for him or us." Louise sighed before looking to Tabitha. "Ya know, you're actually quite optimistic. When I first met you, I thought logic was all you ran on."

Tabitha's lips curled into a small smile. "…People can change. I… have friends for one."

Louise giggled and held up a closed fist. "That I can get behind. If ever we run into trouble, I'll be counting on you."

Tabitha tilted her head, confused. "…What?"

"I'm calling you my partner." Louise answered like it was the simplest thing in the world. "You and I work together well. Guiche and Montmorency are battle-partners since they focus more on support. Kirche and Henrietta are well suited since they're… surprisingly effective on offense, much as it terrifies me."

Tabitha stifled a snort. Seeing the princess and Kirche get along famously from day one had made Louise incredibly jealous and covetous of Henrietta's attention. Tabitha had a feeling Henrietta quite enjoyed the brief time where Louise monopolized her.

It didn't stop those two from being absolute terrors in team spars though. The princess was… shockingly ruthless at times.

Louise chose to let the snort slide and reached down to grab Tabitha's hand. "Siesta's more suited for independent work outside of me giving orders, so there's just you and me. As it happens, with you around, we cover each other's backs. Not to mention we're small targets."

Tabitha's brief glare showed just how little she appreciated that jab. Louise just laughed and pulled her hand up with Tabitha's, curling her friend's fingers into a fist. "So… partners?"

Tabitha seemed to consider for a moment before releasing a full smile. "…Partners."

Louise cheered and they bumped fists, sealing their informal partnership. One thing still tugged at Tabitha's mind though. "…Why me?"

She gazed directly into Louise's eyes, her friend getting the message. Louise started to play with her hair. "…Truth be told, Tabby, you're my closest friend. Odd as it may sound what with Henrietta and Siesta here, but…"

Tabitha didn't press, preferring Louise to speak when she was ready. Her friends extended the same courtesy to her, it was only right.

Louise appreciated it. "It's… been many years since I was friends with the princess. She's a different person now, and even if we've rekindled our friendship, I don't feel… close to her. Not anymore. Siesta, much as I care for her, has barely known me for a little over a month. We've become good friends, but we're still master and handmaid, and I can't bring myself to share my inner thoughts with her."

"…What makes me different?" Tabitha had to ask. Far as she knew, there was no real difference that made her superior to them.

Louise smiled helplessly. How best to explain this? "Well… we didn't talk much, if at all, but you didn't jeer at me either. We read together, shared notes from class, just… relaxed, I guess. It's not much of a reason, but it still… meant a lot to me."

Tabitha shook her head. She didn't think much of such encounters, Louise was just a quiet person to study next to. She was so focused on the work none of the usual bluster was present and she'd left Tabitha in peace. To think it meant so much to her…

Louise put a hand on Tabitha's shoulder, carefully gauging if it was ok. "So… partners still?"

"…Why would I change my mind that fast?" Tabitha queried incredulously. "What… do you take me for?"

Louise relaxed immediately. "I'm just being a worry-wart, come here you!"

Tabitha was not expecting to be embraced or have Louise's modest breasts press against hers. It was a very strange sensation and Tabitha had very confused feelings about it. Oddly enough, her lone coherent thought was:

Hm, I grew. Fancy that.

She slowly returned the embrace, if only lightly, and she heard a squeal. "Oh this is adorable!"

Louise almost leapt away from Tabitha and whipped around to find Kirche standing in the doorway with Siesta peering over her shoulder. "Oi, what the hell?! Knock before you enter!"

"We did." Siesta protested; silently glad the steam of the room was thick enough to hide her lady's nakedness. "You didn't answer, so we thought you'd left… and…"

Kirche laughed and clapped her hands. "We walked in on a heartfelt promise of partnership, this is just grand! I'm so proud of you Tabby! You went and made a new best friend."

She pouted and crossed her arms. "Though I hope you know that I'm your number one bff no matter what."

Tabitha could only shake her head as Louise launched into a patented tirade about propriety, silently getting out and gathering her things.

She had a feeling it would be another fun dinner.

-Morning-

It was a somber morning they woke to after a night of revelry.

Neb's mood hadn't improved by that morning, and it appeared both Osmond and Colbert had joined him overnight. Their sheer dour air was enough to make the cheer of the previous night disappear the moment the students stepped outside.

"We have very important information for you all today." Neb announced once everyone was assembled. "As you've all reached the point of using real weapons alongside great progress in your magic, it's time for an exam."

Osmond stepped in before any questions could be asked. "We have identified a minor band of brigands roving the countryside nearby. With the Academy mostly emptied and the situation in Albion ongoing, they've been daring enough to come close."

"What is their strength?" Henrietta asked, cutting straight to the meat. "You call them minor, so I assume they're barely worth noticing."

Colbert stepped in next. "They've a half-dozen men in total led by a disgraced dot-class earth mage. From what little I could gather, the leader is barely capable of much, but they've supplemented the brigands with a dozen orcs."

That sent murmurs running, but Neb swiftly squashed them. "This is a good chance for all of you to experience a real fight. I'll be coming with you in order to prevent a catastrophe, but the moment we're out of the gates, this is your mission."

He trained his eyes on Louise, his master's jaw working furiously. "You're in charge, Louise. I've done my best to give you a foundation thus far, but it's time to see what you've learned."

Louise took a deep breath. "…I'll do all I can."

"I ask no more." Neb agreed before rearing to his full height. "Everyone, you have two hours! Prepare yourselves for combat!"

The students dispersed at his dismissal, Louise soon becoming the center of attention. Neb felt pride bloom in his heart as she started directing them with confidence, at least some of his teachings showing in her manner.

As they left, Osmond stroked his beard. "This will be a hard day for them. Such brigands will try to capture or kill them, especially if they recognize the princess."

"They will kill for the first time today." Colbert agreed, brow heavy with bitter memories. "Even if it's just an orc, the experience will change them. Sir Neb, are you sure this is the best course of action?"

Neb's stance did not waver. "It is. They are at the point in their training an average soldier is sent on their first patrol. They must learn how serious this is. Besides…"

He pointed to the professors and himself. "They have us, for whatever that's worth. Even if it's just advice, we'll be here to help. Right now, that's all we can do."

Neither of the men looked very happy with that answer, but they decided not to argue it. The students needed a unified front from them, if only to soothe nerves.

With that done, Neb strode for the gates. He was going to be available for anyone who had concerns, questions, or otherwise until the time of departure. It was the same thing the officers of the Empire did with newly minted soldiers. But, much to his surprise, no one approached him until it was nearly time to leave.

"Neb," Louise called as she walked up to him, the hydra immediately giving her his full attention. "Can I ask your opinion on something?"

Neb looked her over, silently appreciating that she'd remembered to wear a mail shirt. It was her only armor aside from long boots, but he was glad to see her in something. "Of course, what is it?"

Louise worked her jaw for a moment before starting. "Guiche's… golems are still too flashy. Even though he's shortened the casting time, that flash of light they show up in makes them too conspicuous. I was wondering if he should summon them while we're still here, but I don't think he has the willpower to keep them up and fight."

Neb hummed. "…Actually, can't you use that flash of light?"

Louise shook her head. "If we get the jump on them, sure, but I don't think that will happen. Orcs, for all their stupidity, have a keen sense of smell. They'll sniff us out long before we find them."

Neb had to remind himself that this land's orcs were very different from his. "I see… then it would be best for him to summon the golems when we draw close to the last known location."

"That's what I was thinking." Louise agreed, relief in her voice. "Alright, good. Um, we're all about ready to leave. Just need to walk the horses over and we'll be off."

Neb huffed and reached out to place a claw on Louise's forehead. She flinched, expecting him to flick her, but he didn't. "Louise… be calm, I'll be there. So will your friends, there's nothing to worry about. Simply focus on keeping yourself and your friends safe."

He smirked and flicked her this time. "Not to mention your self-proclaimed partner."

Louise scowled at him and rubbed the welt his flick left. "Kirche and Montmorency teased me enough last night, I don't need you adding on to it. Siesta tried to give us matching shirts when we were getting our armor on for heaven's sake!"

Neb chortled at the vision that conjured. "I heard it was quite heartfelt, I'm quite disappointed I missed it. Poor Tabitha, sitting there with a blush while you attempted to defend her honor."

"I wasn't defending her honor, there was no honor to be defended!" Louise almost cried, nerves replaced with sheer embarrassment. "I was getting my skirt teased off and someone had to rebuke them!"

Neb rolled his eyes. "Phrasing, Louise. Go and join your friends, I'll be here."

Louise's cheeks puffed in irritation before she stomped her foot and stormed away. Neb watched her go with a fond smile before seeing the group walking towards him. They met Louise in the middle, conversed for a moment, and walked up to him.

"Let's get this over with." Montmorency muttered, clearly uncomfortable in her armor. All the girls were wearing basically the same thing as Louise with cloaks thrown over, Guiche the only one in sabatons and a breastplate.

Neb noted equal discomfort in Siesta and Kirche's movements and got the ball rolling. "Agreed. The brigands' last known location is three hours ride from here, to the south. They were spotted there yesterday, can't have gotten far on foot."

He nodded to Louise, who ordered everyone to mount and gave the command: "Move out!"

Neb loped after them as Tabitha took to the sky, acting as their scout. Everyone else thundered out of the academy and swiftly turned south. Little conversation filled the time as they rode, everyone focused on the mission.

Barely an hour in though, Tabitha signaled she'd seen something. The galloping horses were slowed and gathered as Tabitha flew off to get a closer look. Barely a moment later, Sylphid swooped out of the sky with a grim Tabitha on her back. "…Brigands, coming this way."

"Why are they moving towards the academy?" Kirche wondered aloud, hand going to the claymore strapped to her saddle. "Did Fouquet's attack make them bold enough to try their hand?"

Guiche grunted, not liking that idea. "If that's the case, they're mad. A thief of Fouquet's caliber is one thing, but a bunch of common brigands and orcs? Even our under-staffed garrison could fend them off."

"We're not on a common road either." Siesta muttered, their current path the one she took to visit her home. "So they clearly have some sense to avoid actual patrols."

Louise didn't engage in further speculation. "Regardless, they're moving towards us and that changes plans. Tabby, how many?"

Tabitha shrugged, not looking too concerned. "…Expected numbers. Seven men, leader has nicer clothes. Bunch of orcs trundling in front of them."

Henrietta looked around with a critical eye. "…There's nowhere to hide, we're on open ground. We have the ability to just charge and scatter them, right?"

"I'd rather we not injure the horses." Louise muttered before looking to Siesta. "What's your take?"

Siesta shook her head, no better idea coming to mind. "I think a charge is the best opening move we can make. Scattering them in a panic is bound to make them easier to defeat, right?"

Louise bit her thumb. "…Kirche, Montmorency, Guiche. You up for a charge?"

Kirche smirked and hefted her claymore. "Am I ever. Point me where we're going, I'll take the point."

"I shall scatter them like chaff!" Guiche declared, summoning his golems in the same motion. "My creations will cut-off their escape and deal with the orcs!"

Montmorency chewed on her lip before agreeing. "I'll return to the rear right after, don't expect me to stick around."

That was all Louise could ask for. "Then that's what we'll do. Siesta, Henrietta, cover the flanks and intercept anyone trying to flee. Tabitha, same with you and Neb. I'll… I'll take care of the leader."

"You sure?" Kirche interjected, a frown on her lips. "Even if it's just a dot mage and you've come a long way magic-wise, they won't wait for you to chant."

Louise smiled at her, trying to hide her nerves as best she could. "It's alright, I got Derf. Besides, I just know you'll all take care of the other brigands right quick and I don't want to be last."

She said no more, her friends taking formation. Neb offered no advice of his own, content to keep a watchful eye out as they set off again. Ten minutes later, they laid eyes on the brigands.

And the orcs grunting and snarling in front of them.

Louise unsheathed Derflinger, the rasp of steel joining soon after. None of them had any experience or training in mounted combat, so they'd agreed to dismount after the charge. From there… they could only hope their training until now was enough.

No inspiring speech was given. No one said a word as Siesta and Henrietta split down one flank while Tabitha and Neb took the other. The tip of the spear was formed, Kirche front and center with her claymore in hand and wand ready to be drawn.

Behind them marched Guiche's golems, ready to charge right after and slaughter the orcs. And behind them rode Louise, her eyes trained on the brigands' leader. It was her duty as the leader of this mission to defeat the opposing leader, that was her job. She'd be safest against him with Derf at her side…

Yet she still felt ill.

A wordless gesture sent Kirche, Guiche, and Montmorency galloping. The brigands and orcs started to holler at the sight, believing they'd caught some travelers. It swiftly changed to panic as the glint of weapons flashed in the sunlight.

Orcs, brigands, and horses screamed as the charge slammed into the loose formation. The orcs scattered immediately, desperate to get out of the way, while the brigands threw themselves to the ground. With bedlam assured, Guiche's golems dashed in with preternatural speed and laid into the orcs.

Louise couldn't help but flinch at the screams and wet tearing of flesh that followed. She'd followed behind the golems, so she'd be able to track the brigand's leader, but the smell of foul blood made her gag. She couldn't focus on that though; the brigands had gained their feet and were making a break for it.

Two ran in the direction of Henrietta and Siesta. The one closest to the maid ducked aside as she charged him, only to find a boot in his back as she kicked him to the ground. He didn't get up fast enough and Siesta leapt from her mount to plant a dagger in his back. He barely let out a scream before she unsheathed her short sword and drove it point first into his neck.

As the maid tried to recover from the adrenaline rush, Henrietta ran down her fleeing target. The brigand rolled away from her charge and gained his feet, a dagger appearing in his hand. Henrietta stopped her horse, dismounted, and pulled out her glaive. "Come then."

The brigand gave a wordless scream and charged her, but Henrietta deflected each sloppy blow as they came. She had the situation entirely in her hands but was so focused on the opponent in front of her she never saw an orc escape the slaughter of its fellows and make a beeline for her.

Not until it sunk its crude knife into her side.

Henrietta hissed as pain flooded her mind, turning out of the stab to knock the orc to the ground. The brigand took advantage to score a slash on her arm and punch her hand, but Henrietta held strong to her weapon and pushed him away.

"Foul creature." She muttered before stabbing the orc clean through, adrenaline making her ignore the blood that coated her leg when she pulled the blade free. The brigand tried again, sensing the wound sapping her strength, but Henrietta would have none of it.

She knocked his blow aside, twirled around him, and staggered. The brigand was able to land a solid elbow blow to her back, but she was able to hook the shaft of her weapon under his chin at a bad angle. With a grunt and a hard twist, she heard a sickening crack and the man went limp.

She panted and dropped both weapon and corpse, cursing silently as she covered her new wound. It was bleeding heavily, but not so bad she couldn't staunch it with a quick spell. That had been… terrifying. So sure of herself, but then the orc…

While she was processing that, Tabitha was fighting her own enemy. The brigand was just desperate to get around her, constantly trying to run past. Tabitha wouldn't let him, but the man kept dodging her thrusts and she was getting tired. The spars never lasted longer than a few minutes, she wasn't used to a fight being this long.

To her annoyance, the brigand could tell. He started attacking her with a sword, forcing her on the defensive. Sylphid wanted to get in on the fight, but Tabitha forbid it so long as she was able to defend herself. She had to prove she was more than just her familiar and magic, it was the only way to break out of the mold she'd been cast in all those years ago.

Throwing caution to the wind, she wound back for a swipe. The brigand ducked and tackled her, driving his sword into her arm and trying to scramble away. Tabitha cried out in pain but had enough of her wits to draw the dagger at her side and drive it into his belly. The brigand screamed in pain, howling like a mad dog as Tabitha dragged the blade through.

The man stopped squirming and collapsed on her, leaving Tabitha panting under his fresh corpse and steaming organs that she'd cut out of him in a poorly thought out move. The smell of blood and offal was overpowering, and she felt herself retch a bit. Sylphid thankfully pushed the carcass off her, but Tabitha could see she was soaked in blood.

Her hands started to shake.

"Up on your feet." Neb grunted as he galloped to her side, jaws stained red from his victim. "A few orcs are still up and about; they'll kill you if you don't move."

Tabitha nodded shakily and stood, arm hanging limply with the blade still in it. She could be sick later, first she had to meet up with Henrietta or Montmorency and get her arm fixed.

The latter wasn't available. Montmorency's charge had inadvertently sent her into a trio of orcs. While her horse trampled one of them, the other two needed to be dealt with and none of the golems were nearby. The orcs snarled at her when she dismounted.

"Why me?" She muttered as the first beast charged her, hate overriding its fear. "I shouldn't be in the melee to start with."

Regardless, she back stepped and avoided the orc's clumsy strike. Her estoc whipped forward and carved a gash in it's back, making the beat cry out in pain. An equally quick swipe severed its head and Montmorency grimaced as black blood splattered over her boots.

The distraction earned her a dagger in the leg, the second orc using its compatriot's death to get in close and stab the girl. Montmorency screamed and flailed her sword to drive the orc off, tears filling her eyes from the pain. Adrenaline chose then to take over and her wand appeared in her hand. "Aqua Scutum!"

A flask she kept on her person popped open and water flooded out. It formed into a vague spear and shot at the orc, the beast trying to dodge, but Montmorency change the trajectory and it slammed straight into the orc's throat.

It dropped and grabbed at its crushed throat, trying to cry out. It flailed and tried to wail, but only little chokes came out. Its eyes bulged and foam spilled from its fat lips before its eyes rolled back and it fell still.

Montmorency didn't have time to feel vindication. An arm wrapped around her neck and she was yanked back, sword and wand wrenched from her hands. "Hold still girl!"

Montmorency struggled until she felt cold steel press against her throat, a glance back showing one of the brigands as her captor. "You're going to stay nice and still until I get out of here."

"Not so fast, knave!" Guiche roared, dashing for them with saber at the ready. "Let her go and I may just spare your life!"

The brigand was unmoved and pressed the blade further into Montmorency's neck. "You got nothing I'd want to let this girl go, pal! Just back off and lower the sword, none of the golems either, and she don't get hurt!"

Guiche narrowed his eyes, gaze calculating. The brigand took a step back, dragging Montmorency with him. Guiche took one step forward.

Montmorency seethed as the dance took place, wondering why Guiche wouldn't call his golems to ambush the bastard. He just kept following as they got further and further away from the others, he needed to do something!

Oh to hell with it! If he won't do something, I will!

After a few drags, she noticed the brigand's grip on her loosen when he took his stance again after stepping back. It was all she needed to get her chin under the blade, push it aside, and sink her teeth into his arm.

The brigand yelped, Montmorency's bite deep enough to draw blood, and that was the opening Guiche needed. The boy almost blurred forward and struck the brigand's hand, slicing his fingers off and forcing the dagger to drop.

The man roared in pain but his flailing freed Montmorency and allowed Guiche to run him through with a strong thrust. As the brigand slumped over and Guiche pulled his blade free, Montmorency grabbed the dagger and leapt upon the dying man.

"Die-die-die!" She screeched, each word punctuated by a stab or slash of the blade. Blood splattered the ground and stained her skin red, shouts giving way to wordless cries. She'd barely had time to start before Guiche pulled her off and embraced her

"Mon-Mon, it's ok!" He tried to soothe, praying it would work. "You're ok, I'm right here, everyone's ok. Please, calm down, it's over."

Montmorency did, slowly. However, as her adrenaline fell alongside her anger, fear and disgust took their place. She turned into Guiche's embrace and started to weep.

AS he tried to comfort her as best he could, across the field two more battles were taking place. Kirche's opponents were essentially the remnants of the orcs, all the brigands save the leader eliminated. They were surprisingly nimble monsters, making use of Kirche's wide swings to score light slashes on her mail.

Kirche growled as she blocked a strike, letting one hand drop to punch the orc off her. It thudded to the ground and gave her enough time to swing at another orc, her attack catching it off guard. This time her blade cleaved straight through it, staining the metal black. She snarled as she felt something hit her back, wand sliding into her hand. "Fuer riegel!"

She flicked the wand back and engulfed her attacker in flame. The orc fell off screaming and she turned with a great heave, bringing the claymore down in a heavy stroke that split its burning skull in two. As more gore painted her arms, she felt another orc slam into her. "Son of a bitch!"

This time she threw out all elegance and grabbed the orc by its scrawny neck, using the strength that let her swing the claymore to crush its throat with a hard squeeze. She tossed the suffocating orc aside and looked around, barely noticing the stinging wound in her side. Damned thing was able to get a few inches of blade past her mail.

By the time she finished up, all that remained was the brigands' leader, the dot-mage. Louise was trying her damndest, but the bastard was surprisingly slippery and kept conjuring stones to throw off her attacks.

"Hold still damn you!" Louise roared in frustration as another rock hit her shoulder. She was aching and likely bruised from the hits, but the main issue was he wouldn't stay still! Derf wasn't all that useful against the rocks either.

The mage gave her a taunting smirk and chanted something else, this time making a small rock rise and trip Louise. She caught herself and blocked a strike from his sword, the bastard better armed than his former lackeys. The blow slid aside, and Louise was able to get close for the first time, sending Derf's guard straight into the brigand's gut.

She heard the air rush from his lungs and smirked, knowing she had him.

Until he laughed and a burning line of pain ran across her face.

Louise yelped and retreated, hand going up to feel the hot and sticky flow of blood running down her face. He'd used the force of her blow to backpedal and position himself for a slice, putting a wound that ran from over her right eye to her left cheek. The blood forced her to close her right eye, but she could still see him.

Before the man could gloat, Tabitha ran in and started swinging, anger clear in her eyes. A moment later, Siesta joined in with a flurry of knives and equally furious growls.

Louise would have none of it. "Out of the way dammit!"

Her friends retreated and she charged, fury fueling her strikes. The brigand tried to play the same game that earned her the wound, but Louise wouldn't let him. Rage was her ally now, and each strike he blocked only made her stronger.

At last, she batted aside his sword, aimed Derf with chilling precision, and stabbed through the disgraced mage's throat. They tried to say something, perhaps curse her, but Louise only watched as they went limp on Derf's blade. She pulled him free, barely flinching as the arterial spray stained her clothes.

Louise stared at the body for a moment, body and mind completely numb and incapable of thought as she watched crimson stain the ground.

"…Louise?"

Tabitha's voice made her come up for air. "Yeah…?"

"We need to go." Siesta answered instead. "The… clean-up will be handled by the guards. Headmaster Osmond sent them after us as a precaution. We serve no purpose here."

Louise nodded silently and cleaned Derf on her bloodied boots, the sword silent. He knew that she was trying to process this and wasn't in her right mind, not a good time for either advice or cracks.

Tabitha, despite being covered in gore, pulled out a cloth and pressed it to Louise's face. "…Heal later. Let's go."

Louise didn't protest as she was led back to the group, everyone gathering up somberly. Only Kirche wasn't terribly affected, she'd killed orcs back home before, but seeing her friends coated in blood was… disturbing. Especially the cloth slowly turning red on Louise's face.

"We're done here." Neb announced when everyone was together, none of them willing to look at his stained jaws. "Mount up and get on your way. I will follow after giving the guards my report."

The students did so with wooden steps and somber expressions, every breath accompanied by a grimace. The stench of blood and gore was so strong it blanketed them, ever-present in their noses even when they set off for the academy. Wounds were healed on the way, but they found the limit of Louise's healing spell.

She had to cast it soon after the wound was incurred for it to heal without scarring. They learned that when she went to heal her first true wound after seeing to the others. It still closed, but it left a thin scar dark enough to be noticed. Only make-up would be able to hide it.

She got many a concerned look when it became clear the scar would remain, but Louise said nothing. She kept her gaze forward and kept going, not speaking to anyone the rest of the day. No one was in any shape to help her either.

Montmorency was still a terrified wreck; Siesta was struggling to keep herself together after what she did sunk. Tabitha was still coated in gore and Sylphid's coos did nothing to break her free of her mind. Henrietta was in similar straights to Siesta, her mind far away, and Kirche just didn't know what to do.

It was one thing to hear the stories from her father, but to be amongst all the gore and to smell it…?

They barely registered returning to the academy, neither Osmond nor Colbert willing to stop them and get a report. It was likely best to leave them alone to process what had happened. Even if it was a small skirmish, barely something to write about on the ledger, the day would live with them for all their lives.

The first battle always did.

-Night-

After cleaning themselves, everyone spent the rest of the day alone in their rooms. Louise, for her part, stared up at the ceiling from her bed and let her mind wander. She never even knew the brigand's name. He was just… a face, one that had been trying to kill her.

Did he have a story? Had he been turned to a life of crime by cruel parents? Siblings? Rivals? Were they perhaps the same in some way, only separated by his ability to command magic correctly?

Louise looked to the corner of her room, Raelag's Staff staring back at her. She hadn't brought it out of the belief she didn't need it, but it was clear she'd placed too much stock in Derf's ability. Yes, it was amazing, but it couldn't stop rocks from hitting her. Nor, really, would the staff. And yet…

She sighed, tiring of the questions that had cycled through her mind in the hours since they returned. There was no way she was getting any sleep tonight, not when every glance at her hands showed red. She'd tried so hard to clean them too…

Scrubbing until they were raw… and only scrubbing harder…

"Enough." She muttered, sitting up in her bed. "Maybe… some tea…"

She set her feet on the cool floor and padded to her vanity, only to freeze and stare at the scar crossing her face. It was so small, yet…

How shameful.

Louise's fist flew out and shattered the mirror, her mother's voice echoing through her mind. She never wanted to look in a mirror again now, not if all it would do was remind her that her first scar marred her face and came from a lowly brigand.

Disgusted and unconcerned with her bleeding fist, Louise stormed from her room. A small voice reminded her to be quiet, but she seethed all the way down to the ground floor. Her frustration only grew as she wrapped her cut hand, failing to tighten it correctly several times before settling for the sloppy covering.

She cursed and grumbled after that, finding the teapot empty and not willing to go to the kitchens for milk. All she wanted to do now was go vent at something, but all she had was an open… field…

Louise turned on a dime and hurried out the doors and into the courtyard. She needed to do something, anything.

"Going somewhere?"

Louise almost leapt out of her skin and shot off a fire-bolt, barely missing Neb. The hydra was lying in the shadows of the tower, apparently waiting for her. "Brimir's Breadbasket, what are you doing there?!"

Neb shrugged, scales rippling in the dim starlight. "Just seeing if anyone can't sleep. You all had a… trying day, to say the least. I simply wished to be here."

"A trying day?" Louise asked, incredulity and anger seeping into her voice. "A trying day?! That's what you call my monumental screw-up?!"

Neb recoiled from the sheer vitriol Louise spat at him. "You call that a monumental screw-up? No one was seriously hurt."

"But they were hurt!" Louise countered, anger bubbling over. "I split them up like a moron, told them to dismount to fight and I went after the most dangerous of the lot without Tabitha! It's a miracle none of us were killed! Montmorency got taken hostage for Founder's sake, I can't look her in the eye now!"

Neb's heads slithered down to look her in the eye and cut off any attempts to run. "That is through your fault, yes, but it was your first actual commands. No commander has ever gone their lives without making mistakes or putting others in harms way. You know now, don't you?"

"But I still got them hurt, I got hurt!" Louise rebutted, anger and loathing in her eyes. "We were injured against surprised and fleeing brigands, orcs too! The princess was hurt by an orc under my watch! I should be strung up for such a disgrace!"

Neb met her anger with cool, measured calm. "You don't mean that, and we both know Henrietta would cuff you for even considering it. Louise, please, just listen to me."

"No, you listen to me!" Louise exploded, gaining his undivided attention. "I followed your lessons to the letter, put myself under your tutelage, but the moment I need use of that knowledge it failed me! No, I failed it!"

She hung her head and more words spewed forth. "I've spent the better part of the time since the ceremony thinking I could at last do something right in my life! I let myself believe that I was worth something, and you did nothing but feed it!"

Her hands curled into fists, red darkening her poorly wrapped bandage. "Yet here I stand, scarred by a common outlaw! The minute you stopped directing us, it all went to hell! My friends, my pride… the very idea I could be anything…"

She fell to her knees and pounded the ground. "It all went to shit!"

Neb looked at her with open concern, sniffles and choked sobs rising from his distraught master. "Louise… please, listen to me."

Louise curled in on herself. "No… *hic*… you know what… just forget it. I've… I've said what I wanted to say."

"Louise Françoise Le Blanc de la Valliere, you listen to me now." Neb answered firmly, a claw curling under her chin and pulling her eyes to his. "I did not lie when I said you would be great, for it lies within you. You must understand that no one has ever been great without cost, without mistakes."

One of his heads nuzzled under her arm and gingerly pulled her to her feet. "But it is your path, one that you have decided to walk. There will be trials, there will be troubles, and there will be pain. Yet… I can see it."

Louise looked deep into the molten gold of his eyes and… dare she think it…

She saw what was perhaps love.

"There will come a day where your true worth will shine forth." Neb continued, voice firm as bedrock. "You will see through the path you have chosen with those you care for at your side. And on that day, when you shine brighter than every star in the sky…"

He smiled and pressed his snout to her scar. "I pray that I'll be there to soak up some of that radiance."

Louise sobbed, a final, weak rebuke all she could offer. "But… I hurt my friends… I killed someone… who may have never deserved it…"

"Why do you care?"

Neb dropped his voice to an amused whisper. "Why? Child… I care because you are my student. That's all the reason I need."

He pulled himself up and dragged his bulk to her, pressing her head against the broad expanse of his chest. "And if ever you need a reminder, think of this."

Louise gulped back tears, trying to hold back the flood, but then she heard it. The steady, deep beat of Neb's heart. The part of him that, if what he said was true, made him practically immortal.

Neb smiled as her legs gave out and she started to wail into his chest, releasing all her pent-up fear, anger, frustration, and relief. He remained still, letting her cry her eyes out for as long as she needed, until he felt her breathing slow and her wails turned to deep breath.

"Sleep well, Louise." Neb muttered. "You've earned it."

He chuckled and looked over to the tower entrance, several pairs of eyes shining in the dark. "Well, what are you all waiting for? There's enough room on me for everyone."

The rest of his students left the door and walked up to him, all of them haggard and tired, but clearly unable to sleep. Neb said nothing, merely helping organize them around his bulk so that everyone had a spot. Much to his silent amusement, Tabitha attempted bring one large blanket to share with Louise, but Siesta brought one for her mistress instead.

It was good to see them share a wry chuckle at that.

Siesta and Tabitha ended up taking the sides next to Louise, the pair swiftly falling asleep. Besides Tabitha settled Guiche, who shared a blanket with Montmorency whilst never letting go of her hand. Another thing Neb was glad to see. The boy had been quite courageous to rush to his fiancé's rescue, and wise for not rushing the brigand holding her until the time came.

"Neb."

The hydra blinked and slinked down to meet Kirche's gaze. "Yes?"

"Can you…" Kirche started, a considering gleam in her eye. "Move me… behind Louise?"

Neb hummed and looked at the current order. "…I think I can, though I don't wish to move her head from where it is. Are you sure?"

Kirche nodded and let Neb do some shuffling before picking her up and putting her between Louise and him. She made sure Louise was still against his chest, using Neb's leg as a prop to hold herself up while she cradled Louise, Tabitha, and Siesta. That… wasn't quite to plan, but she didn't mind helping keep them stiff-neck free.

Henrietta settled in next to Siesta, just glad to see Louise sleeping peacefully. She looked up and smiled at Neb when she was sure the others had fallen asleep. "…Thank you."

"I would do the same for all of you." Neb answered, curling around them to block any wind. "You are all my students, not just Louise. I'm here to offer advice outside of lessons should any of you require it."

Henrietta giggled and settled against him, the warmth of his scales lulling her to sleep. "Still… thank you for doing… what I had no hope to do. What any of us had no hope to do. We… can actually sleep… tonight."

She fell asleep and Neb rumbled with a deep laugh. "I don't need thanks. You've all grown today and come back in one piece."

His eyes glazed over with nostalgia and he settled in for the night. "I've had far too many that never got to do either."

Ch. End

Oi vey, that was a long chapter.

Total word count: 14,574

This took a few days to write, and I'm frankly exhausted now that I'm finished. I'll get to the reviews right quick and then I'm going to take a nap.

AnimeA55Kicker: Yeah, as I wrote it, I realized she had no real reason to stick around. Kirche had a realistic excuse, backed by Riegan and Neb going at each other. Add on Fouquet being captured and in custody, staying had no purpose. Sorry, I promise she'll have more impactful scenes in the future.

Xeivous1: The girls will get their abs, don't you worry XD. The extent of which depends on them, but it'll be fun seeing Louise drool over them.

YuriRedFox: That will be dealt with, I can promise you that. The last cliffhanger unfortunately didn't end up with the desired pay-off, but I expected as much as I wrote the chapter (See above). Hope you enjoy this extra-long chapter!

DschingKhan: You'll see in due time . And a good summary of last chapter too! Hope you like this one!

Pacer287: Future confrontations with Karin shall be a great deal more explosive, I can promise that! As you might imagine, she plays a very important role in this story. Good luck guessing what.

SameGuest: Neb's other heads are usually doing something. Whether it's debating over separate topics or attending to other matters. Louise… won't quite get over that short-circuit just yet. She'll be just fine in normal situations, but there's good reason she was only in the bath with Tabitha XD. I hope you enjoy this one too!

Tigertitan: Glad you liked it! I just know at some point I'll do something you won't like, but hopefully it's more of a 'you evil bastard' vs. 'this is stupid'. Hope you like this one!

Victra: Not a lot of learning magic in this one, but there'll be more in the future. I'm looking forward to the competition as well, but the jury's out if it will remain friendly all the way to the end or if we'll have some bumps to get through. Not least of which is getting Louise to realize her own preferences.

Alright, that's everything, so I'm off to take a nap! Hope everyone enjoys and I'll see you next time!

Ciao!