Lieutenant Fallstaff disappeared sometime last night.
His replacement, a Sergeant-at-arms from my father's cavalry platoon, mentioned that he had been rather suddenly reassigned to the siege detail outside Zanado – with orders coming directly from the Archbishop in countermand to my father's initial assignment. I relayed this information to Hubert and Edelgard, who both seemed equal parts troubled and relieved. I suspect neither were looking forward to spending a week at a campsite guarded by him when they themselves were in a vulnerable state. No one apart from myself had arrived here armed.
Prince Dimitri appears at the mock battlefield at brunch as I cook the Eagles another round of miserably bland camp cakes. Accompanying him are Sylvain and Felix – the latter of whom still bears the slightest evidence of the shiner inflicted by the former at the mock battle. Edelgard and Hubert look none too pleased at their arrival, but Edelgard's been pissy since yesterday, and Hubert's generally always pissy – so I'm not going to cater to either of them at the moment.
After welcoming him with a beckon, Dimitri sits next to me on a log by the campfire. Once I've finished distributing the midday ration to the rest of the Eagles, I give him a nod to proceed. Unfurling a large piece of parchment, he says:
"Professor, I've brought with me the Lions' plan for the defenses of Remire. The village's refortification is our mission for this moon. Since you're quite familiar with the territory, could I glean your opinion on it?"
Sylvain appears on the log to my left and offers a lazy salute.
"Yeah Professor, let's hear your thoughts. Dimitri's been bugging us all week about it, but I kept telling him to go see you."
Felix simply stands over my shoulder. After a spit, he says:
"The boar's never defended a damn thing in his life. That's why he's asking you."
I catch a glance at Dimitri following the pretty brutal insult levied at him by his future vassal. His bangs mask whatever view I can glean from them – although I suspect he's not even really bothering much with Felix. His chin is set straight, aimed squarely at Edelgard.
Bringing my eyes onto the plan, I immediately realize how true my father's assessment of it really was. The most prominent piece of the proposal was a pentagonal palisade around Remire proper. Impressively, the palisade also featured scaffolding around the entire interior perimeter, offering firing platforms along the length of the structure. Following that, Dimitri envisioned constructing birdhouses for owl messengers, blockhouses at the village gate, and an interior moat with descending canal locks in order to facilitate the travel of quicksilver from the blacksmithy to any point in the village under attack.
This was a defense that would've compared pretty well at scale against the grand fortifications of Merceus, Myrddin, and Arianrhod. The problem, of course, is the same one my father mentioned – Remire had about a hundred villagers total in population. Dimitri had envisioned a fortification plan that'd need no less than a brigade to properly man it.
Looking up at Dimitri, I consider my words.
"You showed this to my father?" I ask.
"I did, Professor, but unfortunately his old apprentice interrupted any assessment. Just before Sir Jeralt's departure, he recommended that I gather feedback from you."
I nod. I'll have to thank him later for punting the responsibility on to me, I guess.
That said, it's abundantly clear that Dimitri invested a great deal of time, effort, and energy into developing such a thorough plan. If I could merely explain how the resources available simply couldn't fulfill his objective – perhaps I could convince him to scale down the whole affair.
"Dimitri, do you know how many citizens live in Remire?"
Dimitri's turned to me and widened. I noticed that moment the great circles embedded in the canyon behind his high cheekbones and his eyelids.
"Professor... Do you mean to say that there were civilian casualties that evening?"
I shake my head.
"No, what I mean to say is that there are too many posts. There are about a hundred residents of Remire. That's it."
Dimitri's eyes fall back to the plan in confusion.
"Yeah, that's what I figured, Professor! No way there's enough warm bodies in Remire to defend that entire thing." The Lions' Red Lancer states.
I give Sylvain a nod. Have I mentioned how much I respect Sylvain's view of things?
"It's all a waste of time if you ask me." Felix offers. He sounds rather like Lysithea there.
Craning my neck to meet him, I expect him to continue his assessment. He takes his cue:
"...We're better off training a village guard. When the enemy comes, they can strike first."
I return my gaze to the plan. Realizing that another storm-cloud has rolled in over Dimitri's blonde hair, I realize that I've got to make my suggestion now before the adolescent becomes unreachable in a squall of angst.
"The blockhouses at the gate are a great idea, Dimitri. We can scale down the plan from there."
I bring my index finger right to the front gate of the map of Remire. A movement of Dimitri's bangs seems to carry his gaze down there.
"You could run palisades alongside them, and then curl them off at the woods. Stick some scaffolds at each corner for javelin throwers or archers. That sort of thing."
That digit of mine curves around the perimeter of Remire, which is flanked on the eastern, western, and southern sides by green shading.
"This is all old-growth forest, Dimitri. I don't think you'll need to throw up defenses there because it's very difficult to attack through. It's totally impassable for horses. A typical attack from brigands would follow much the same route as our fight on the twentieth."
Pointing at the forest and then bringing the side of my palm across towards the top quarter of the map, I point out that the principal access point to Remire fields is bisected by the Arundel-Bergliez highway. I clear my throat.
"...They'd have to emerge from either of the two passes in the Oghma mountains here, so any attack would get funneled directly towards the gate. That's all open field, so archers can make anyone threatening the village pay dearly in blood. We crossed through that area on our way to conquer the watchtower last month."
Dimitri finally looks up at me, with glassy blue eyes that seem to be replaying the events of that night. I wonder if he has any regrets about what's transpired since?
He's still silent.
"I think Felix has the right idea too, training the village guard will be essential. Fortifications are pointless without troops to man them." I say at last.
Dimitri appears like he's about to reply, but suddenly a white-gloved index figures strikes the map, pointing squarely at a rise in the ground labeled "Watchtower Hill"
"Why not set up forward defenses there?" The voice that follows the thrust of that white-gloved finger is Edelgard's, of course. I guess she worked her way around while I was pouring over the map.
My eyes fall to the position. I already know why it's a bad idea, but again I have to go about explaining this in a way that doesn't get her even more angry.
Before I can even reply, Felix decides that his input is warranted.
"I agree with the Bitch. She's got the right idea, for once. Take them head on."
Wait, is Dimitri the Boar and Edelgard the Bitch? That's bold, Felix. Very bold.
I crane my neck to see the entire class gathered around behind me. I can also see Hubert seething at Felix's new pet-name for my student.
"...What did you just refer to Lady Edelgard as…?" asks the Marquis of Pickled Sausages, venom dripping from every word.
"How long have you all been there?" I ask in an attempt to pre-empt Felix and Hubert.
"Since you began the talking of the planning!" Petra informs me jovially.
I nod and turn back to Edelgard, who's looking at me gravely.
"...That position is easily bypassed."
My eyes return to the map as I bring a hand to my hair.
"If the objective were just to beat an enemy force, sure. That's an ideal position but–"
"-If everyone is defending the hill, the Bandits would have enough room to ride around and steal all their stuff, right?" Sylvain, from my left, draws a big sweep sound the hill with his thumb. I nod at his sage description.
"Right. If we were facing them in a pitched battle, Edelgard – your plan would be perfect. But don't lose sight of the objective in pursuit of the goal."
Looking back up at my student, I notice that her cheeks have flushed a bit at the correction. I don't see why such a simple statement on my part would provoke that, but I have to admit that there's very little I understand about Edelgard as of late. It's as if each day was chastising me in my efforts to know her more by throwing up more walls between us. A few of those were thrown up by Edelgard herself, of course – but I'm getting the feeling that fate may be intervening against us as well.
"Professor..."
Dimitri's voice rouses me out of my contemplation. I look towards him.
"I think you're absolutely correct, Professor. In my pursuit to defend the entirety of the village – I lost sight of the primary objective of this mission. I've spent most of my free time imagining ways I can defend my own country. In turn, I thought that such dreams could be applied those to this humble village of Remire. I realize now that I must approach every situation with a better understanding of the individual circumstances that prevail."
After listening to that response, I'm convinced that Dimitri would make a better Professor than I would.
"You've got the right idea, Dimitri." I confirm.
He seems to have a good head on his shoulders. All he needed was a bit of redirection – and honestly, I'm not sure I was all that necessary in the quest of him getting such a thing. My father could offer the same, couldn't he? So why'd he leave it to me, I wonder?
As this comparatively slight praise soaks in, the sullen expression that Dimitri had been wearing for the past week or so began to melt away.
"Professor… I cannot thank you enough. Your sage advice here was exactly what is required for me to deliver these people from further privation at the hands of those vile bandits."
Unsure about what I really did apart from giving him a few pointers, I extend to him a comradely hand on the shoulder, a gesture he's offered me every now and again. The look I get from him in response seems to indicate that it's appreciated. I'm about to offer a reply in words, but Edelgard clears her throat behind us.
"...Do you not have your own Professor to consult for something like this, Prince Dimitri?"
I turn back to Edelgard who's now got her hands on her hips. I give her my own attempt at a pleading expression, but I think it falls flat because I can't really manipulate my face into something emotional. I think it just ends up coming off as a mild variation on my typical blank stare.
This mild variation is enough to unsettle her all the same, though. Maybe she can read me better than I suspected. Her expression softens as we hold eye contact.
"Are you feeling unwell, my–"
"You…" Dimitri whispers from beside me.
Both of our eyes divert to the Prince, who's stood up from his log and turned to face Edelgard.
"...You speak of consultation as if you consult anyone on anything. All you do is lie and create disaster wherever you turn, Edelgard. I swear to you – if you betray Professor Byleth, I'll–"
Realizing that I'm likely about to preside over a third go at the training grounds and mock battle, I clear my throat. Loudly. This interrupts the rest of Dimitri's threat, and both House Leaders – along with the rest of the Eagles, two Lions, and single Deer – turn to me.
"We should probably start today's lesson."
A stunned silence falls over everyone except Sylvain, who seems to be returning from a quick trip to urinate.
"Hey Professor, are we good to observe today? Hanneman gave us the day off to work with you. Guess you wrapped up pretty quick, huh?"
I shrug.
"Are you sure? You might find it boring."
"What's the topic?" Felix asks.
"Emergency wound dressage." I reply.
Felix seems to stew on it for a moment before saying:
"...Could be useful."
My eyes swing back to Dimitri, who seems to have edged back from his emotional ledge.
"Professor, I would be grateful for any seminar you'd be willing to give."
I nod and turn back to my House Leader.
"As long as Edelgard doesn't have an issue, that's fine."
My student appears rather surprised at me tossing the final decision her way. I don't really understand why, because we literally just had an argument about nothing regarding this very thing yesterday. After a few moments of awkward silence, she seems to realize that I'm deferring to her.
There are a number of expressions that appear on her face in these precious few moments. I'm beginning to get a feel for each of them now. The first is the aforementioned surprise. How her eyes get rounder, her brow seems to lift as if driven by the force of an uppercut – the parting of the lips and her jaw that flies open just a little too suddenly.
The next is what I'm just going to refer to in the future as the "my teacher did something I like" face. To be completely honest, this is my favorite face of hers and one that I find myself desiring to see her make more of. It's rather like the surprise face, except the jaw doesn't fall as deeply, and her lips part in less of a circle, and take the shape of a petite, almost delicate oval. Sometimes that oval metastizes into a smile that beams across her face, but I seperate that into the "Edelgard is happy face", which I never see enough of to properly evaluate. In this face, her brow is also a bit more relaxed, and the muscles that always seem to be at work on her forehead seem to lose all their tension. It's a very relaxed look.
To answer my query from yesterday: I think she's cute when she does this. I should also note that I've never really considered anything cute before.
As a postscript to this– my chest aches.
The final expression is one where she steeles her resolve. This is one I've seen more often than the other two, if only because she's a very determined person. It's a face of hers that provokes a great deal of ambivalence. She makes this face often when she's about to do something stupid or dangerous, like braining Dimitri on the training grounds, or running up to me in Remire unarmed with a bandit in plain sight.
These expressions fire off in a matter of seconds, but I feel as if all the time in the world exists for me to take them in. So when she stammers out:
"...W-well, I suppose that's fine…"
It seems as if an eternity has passed.
"Lady Edelgard, are you certain…?" Hubert cuts in from a distance behind her, standing among the rest of the Eagles, who have mostly watched the past exchanged in dumbed silence.
A big smirk then creeps across her lips. That same devilish smirk that she wore at Celica's last week. She turns to Hubert and says:
"We have guests today – a Deer and three Lions. It will be up to us to demonstrate our superiority, lest they think of challenging us again."
As I open the tent flap to Manuela's infirmary on the battleground, I take a quick glance around to see what I'm working with. The contents of the tent have mostly been left untouched since the afternoon of the mock battle, but a fine layer of dust has collected over the facility in the week that the infirmary's been out of use. There must truly be a fair bit of wealth concentrated in Garegg Mach for them to be able to leave an infirmary tent fully stocked like this.
On the Throat, leaving this unguarded would result in it being pillaged within a day or two.
Grabbing some gauze from what must have been Manuela's temporary workstation, I hand it to Lindhardt, who seems to eye it rather suspiciously.
"Professor, I'm quite capable at using heal spells." he notes.
"I know." I replied firmly.
The sleepy sage did not protest further.
I then turn to my transferred Deer. Given that she spent a good portion of the mock battle in here with Manuela, she'd be the most likely to know the general lay of things.
"Lysithea, do you know where Manuela keeps the disinfectants?"
Lysithea lights up at the idea of her having some sort of hidden knowledge. That's a quality of hers that's beginning to grow on me, I think.
"Yeah, Professor, follow me!"
"Today we're going to be going over how to dress a wound without magical assistance..."
I begin my miniature lecture while standing over an operating table located in the center of the field infirmary tent. Standing in front of me are the Eagles, Sylvain, Felix, Dimitri, and Lysithea. All look rather expectant. Basic first aid is something that I suspect they'd all have at least passing interest in – given that it could be the difference between life and death on the battlefield.
"...There may be situations in the field where you can't rely on healing magic, so I want to make sure everyone here is able to properly treat and dress a basic wound."
Most of the class nods along save for Lindhardt. I suppose that's rather natural, as supposedly Lindhardt possesses one of those Crest things that allows him to heal grave and mortal wounds. He'll probably have more use as a TA rather than a student today.
"Lin, you're going to be my assistant for this. Stand beside me."
Seemingly appreciative at the recognition, he strolls over to stand at my left.
"Of course, Professor."
I give him a firm nod and turn back to the rest of the students.
"For the sake of this lesson – let's imagine that I took a dagger wound through the hand. This isn't a fatal wound, of course, but needs to be treated before it becomes an infection."
Most of the melee fighters among the group seem to take this without protest – with Felix and Petra, our two resident blademasters, nodding in particular.
"There are three basic principles to field dressage in battle. The first is to assess the wound."
I hold up my hand. Eleven pairs of eyes follow.
"Imagine that the dagger is still lodged in my hand. Could you heal such a wound without first taking the dagger out?"
The room is silent. I swing my neck over to Lindhardt.
"What are your thoughts, Lindhardt?"
"Each person could approach it differently, but I do think I'd prefer to heal a wound without the weapon inside, Professor."
While I wasn't expecting such a long-winded answer, I probably should have expected it given Lindhardt's capacity to surprise.
Turning back to the class, I shake my head a bit to focus back on the lecture.
"Right, so you'd want to remove the foreign object. Second, you want to disinfect the wound."
I hold up a bottle of rubbing alcohol that Lysithea grabbed from the cabinet.
"This is medical disinfectant. Typically, you won't find something like this outside an infirmary. My father's mercenary company never even carried it with us on campaign."
This revelation seemed to surprise most of the group, sans Petra. I suspect Petra doesn't even know what medical disinfectant is. The Brigidians are quite rustic with their medicine. I appreciate that about them.
In acknowledgment of that, I walk back to the cabinet that Lysithea pointed out to me, open it's bottom door, and pull out a bottle of Enbarr gin. I place it on the table.
"Hey hey, you found Manuela's secret stash!" Sylvain says enthusiastically.
Edelgard shoots him a glare, and he straightens up almost immediately. The one that follows from Dimitri is almost totally unnecessary. I think they're being quite unfair to the good man, but it's not worth getting into another battle over.
"On campaign, though, there's usually plenty of clear alcohol like this. Enbarr Gin, Faerghus Vodka, Arz Lubaniyya from Almyra – all of those work perfectly. You splash this on any part of the wound exposed to oxygen to prevent infection. It will hurt a great deal, but the pain you experience at that moment will be far less than gangrene, which is an often-fatal infection."
Unwrapping the bandage roll, I apply it to my wound in a slow demonstration of proper technique.
"Third, you want to cover the wound like so to prevent further bleeding and fortify the wound against contamination. Feel free to try it yourselves."
I tear off my ready-made bandage and then toss the roll to Hubert, who gives me a rather dour look. Nonetheless, he goes through the motions. I suspect even the Marquis of Pickled Sausages can understand that this is no time for patronizing remarks.
I wait in due time for everyone to practice on the roll. Caspar, the last person to complete the task, chucks the roll back to me. It's a bit too high, so I have to jump to catch it in my right hand. This provokes a great laugh from Petra.
"You are quite sporting, Professor!"
Her quip manages to lighten what I suspect was a previously heavy mood. I even detect the contours of a disaffected smirk from Felix.
"Does that make sense to everyone so far?"
I receive ten nods. I check over to my left at Lindhardt.
"Indeed, Professor."
I turn back to the class.
"Good. Now I'd like to do a practical demonstration."
Pulling out my dagger, I slice open the bandage.
"This is typically a good way to just get rid of the thing. You'll need to replace these bandages frequently to ensure the wound heals properly."
A series of sagacious nods follow.
I then spread my freshly freed hand on the table, palm down. Then, with my left hand, I raise my dagger in the air. Ten surprised sets of eyes follow it. Without further ado, I then drive that dagger straight into the back of my hand, clear between my index and ring metacarpals, out my palm, and even through the thin metal operating table.
It hurts, but not terribly. Certainly not enough to grimace.
As expected, blood begins to pour out from the wound and onto the table.
Unexpectedly, Lindhardt begins to vomit behind me.
I look up at my students to gauge their reactions.
Hubert, Ferdinand, and Caspar all have dropped jaws like nutcracker dolls. Petra's eyebrows have shot up farther than I've ever seen. Lysithea looks like… dare I say… a deer in the carriage-lights. Bernadetta has dropped to her knees, her eyes gone glassy. Dimitri, Felix, and Sylvain, who I all suspect have seen a touch of true violence before – just stand there stunned.
Edelgard's look is one of terror. Not at the violence itself - but more at who is doing the violence to whom. I'd take more time to describe it if I really could describe such a thing through the throbbing pain. Perhaps another time. To her credit, she's the first to shake herself loose.
"M-my Teacher!"
She immediately lunges forward, yanks the dagger out of my hand and begins to use the heal spell that Lindhardt taught her on the training grounds – that familiar incantation being the tell.
The wound closes quickly, and the only evidence left behind is the small pool of blood it's left behind on the table and blade.
Unfortunately, I'll need to correct her mistake.
"W-why would you do such a stupid thing?!" she asks, her purple orbs alight.
"Incorrect." I reply.
A frown begins to form. This is Angry-Face Edelgard making its appearance. Frankly, I might be inclined to find this expression cute – but I suspect it's going to be here for awhile and will be giving me a fair bit of shit for the next hour or so. Naturally, the fire burning behind those irises seems to take my words as an accelerant.
"Whatever do you mean by that?! Incorrect?!"
"Edelgard, step back."
"No!"
Edelgard does that woman thing of following my exact direction while protesting bitterly.
I take the dagger and drive into the back of my hand again. From behind me, another wretch is heard from Lindhardt. This total lack of consideration for Edelgard's feelings seems to have stunned her a bit, which will allow me to check the rest of the students for reactions. Most – even Hubert – Mr. Cool and Collected Plotter himself – are positively dumbfounded.
Except for one person, who seems to have recovered well from the initial shock and follow up zinger with Edelgard.
"Lysithea, dress the wound." I command.
The Deer nods, a whirlwind brewing behind those pink irises.
"...Right, Professor!"
I'm pleasantly surprised when she summons up the strength to pull up the dagger, crack open the twist cap on the gin, douse the wound on both sides by flicking my wrist (this hurts terribly) and then begin to apply the bandage. She does not flinch when doing this.
After she's done, I inspect the wrapping. She's done it with remarkable precision.
"I'm impressed."
Lysithea, although also perhaps still in shock over my brazenness, accepts any praise that's offered.
"Well, of course! I'm a natural!"
I nod and turn to Lindhardt, who's bent over behind me. I notice that the half-digested remains of the morning's camp-cake ration are on the floor under him.
"Lin, are you OK?"
"Professor… I must say that I find the sight of blood… intolerable."
I shrug.
"We'll get you past that. Heal me."
He complies after I cut the bandage off. A dry-heave accompanies the sight of the wound, but he's clearly puked his guts out already. With his magic, the wound closes.
I turn back to the class. Most are beginning to regain their composure.
Disrupting it yet again, I drive the dagger into my hand again. Blood flows. Lindhardt gags.
"...Who's next?"
"...M-my teacher, you must stop this instant!"
Edelgard is probably right. But Edelgard has also been repeating that the entire lesson. Hubert tried to get her to leave some time ago, but she stuck herself there with stone weights attached to her feet. The protests were the same each time.
The operating table has pooled so much blood on it that it's taken to just dripping onto the infirmary floor. The bottle of gin emptied after Caspar's turn… I don't remember when Caspar's turn even was… so we've switched to the traditional bottle of disinfectant, which is almost empty as well.
"...A-are you sure you'll be alright, Professor? I can run and get Professor Manuela..." Bernadetta offers.
She's just finished her turn at dressing the wound. I really appreciate Bernadetta's concern. I figured she would've run off back to her tent by now, but she's been a real trooper.
"Don't worry about it, Bernie." I say light-headedly.
"O-Oh, you called me Bernie!"
I look up at her with what must be exhaustion in my eyes.
…"Sorry."
Her hands, covered in my blood, shoot to her mouth.
"N-no, it's perfectly fine, Professor! Wait… aaaaaahhhh!"
She realizes it.
"...Run along and brush your teeth now." I advise, flicking my wrapped hand.
The pain spikes all up my arm. I probably shouldn't have done that. I must grimace, because Dimtiri, who's the last person not to have a go– finally speaks up.
"...Professor, I am worried that you will be at risk for exsanguination if you do this again."
I squint my eyes at him, partly because I'm beginning to lose depth perception – and partly because I don't like the idea of being fussed over by a student.
"No. You came to observe, you're doing this." I snap.
Angrily, I turn to Lindhardt. Two Lindhardts appear before me. Both look as if they've lost whatever innocence they've come here with.
"Lindhardt, heal me."
He complies after a heavy hand of mine slices open the wrapping. The floor is littered with them now.
Turning back to the operating table, I stick my hand back into a pool of it's own blood. This is more or less the breaking point for Edelgard, as she finally snaps out of her frozen stance. As I reach for the bloodstained Almyran dagger, she grabs my arm in a vice-grip.
"...That is enough, my teacher. I shall not allow you to continue."
I stare at her blankly for a time and take a deep breath. She's right, of course – but I can't be dressed down like this in front of another house leader. I consider my options. I could just quit now, but I'm not a quitter. If Dimitri wasn't interested in participating, he would've left with Felix and Sylvain a long time ago.
In a flash of lucidity, another opportunity presents itself.
There happens to be a dagger at Edelgard's belt. The same one she attempted to throw up at Remire against the bandit before I interceded on her behalf. My left hand is quite close to that dagger – in fact, if I summon up the reserve of my strength, I could probably unsheathe that dagger and drive it right into the back of my hand in a very fluid motion – well before she'd have the necessary time to remove her own hands from my own blade's handle to block.
I look up into her purple orbs. If they're the last thing I see before I bleed out or anything like that, I guess that wouldn't be so bad.
So I do just that – you know, the stealing her dagger thing and the stabbing myself thing.
When she realizes that I've done that, she does that little surprised face again. I'm thinking I find that one rather cute as well.
If I could smirk, I'd smirk.
The world goes black before she can yell "...My Teacher!" or something like that again.
