Above in the light of the early day Jeralt walked into the grounds of Garrag Mach behind a set of Knights of Seiros, a group he believed he would never interact with again, and beside him, his daughter, a person he hoped to never have to have come to this hallowed place. With the sun beating down on them, he looked up at the large main church building, at the large balcony that jutted out over the grounds, and missed Byleth glancing at him.
"Rhea's here…" he intoned. His voice was like a warning to the girl who stood beside him. His eyes were up upon the Archbishop who stared down from above, as regale as the day he met her. For Jeralt, it was a somber moment. He'd been running from this place for so long that he'd somehow circled back and end up right where it all started. It pained him in a way that he couldn't really describe. Both feeling at home and also feeling like he shouldn't be here. There was danger in these walls, there was always danger, ever since he was young and had come to this place as a child, and later as a teen. Suspicion and backstabbing around every corner, never really knowing who to fully trust, or what little skeletons were hidden in the closets. On the other hand, the monastery was a place of refuge where the weary could find peace and rest when on the run, or where one could finally put down a home after traveling so long without questions or judgement. Or so it was supposed to appear. But as with all bodies great and small, politics played a part in the daily world of the monastery, as did mystery, the biggest one standing over them at the moment and watching.
He knew she could see him, and he was sure in those impenetrable eyes she was thinking of so many things. He was going to have to be on his toes to keep his daughter safe from her, and from any others that wanted to use her. It wasn't long after that a clergy member came and retrieved them, inviting the duo to the Audience chamber. For Jeralt nothing had changed at all, the same colorful stone floor, the same archways with their flower decorations, the same chair that rested behind the Archbishop at all times, the same (well not really the same as he was sure some had passed on while he was off traveling) priests and clerics standing watch in the chamber, and the same stain glass window that shone brightly over it all.
The only difference was that Rhea wasn't waiting for them when they came in. That gave him a moment to consider things and talk to his daughter.
"It's been years since I've last set eyes on this place." Jeralt rested a hand on his hip. "To be forced to see her now…"
Sitri, I wonder if there are still flowers upon your grave. He mused to himself, wondering if there would be time to take their daughter to see her mother. It was the one thing that he felt they could do while here, let her know that their little girl had grown up strong and beautiful, just like her mother had wished for.
He heard his daughter's voice, and he looked over as she spoke again, "Who's 'Her', and you've been here before? Why did you not tell me?"
The tone wasn't accusatory; rather, it was more curious. He would rather it be the former than the latter. The thought of her being interested in this place scared him. Who knew what sort of crap could come up and cause her trouble, especially given that the three heirs to their continent were now studying there? It was a breeding ground for assassination, or who knew what else, and he did not want them getting involved in that mess.
Jeralt nodded, "I've never spoken of this to you before, but… many years ago, I was a knight here. I reported to the Archbishop… Lady Rhea. That would be the 'Her' I mentioned."
"The Archbishop?" He saw his daughter trying to understand all this. It made him wonder if he should have told her years before, but the less she knew, the better off she was. Jeralt stayed calm as he spoke.
"As you know, most folks in Fódlan are devout followers of the teachings of Seiros. The leader of that ridiculously large religious organization is the archbishop, Lady Rhea."
"So is that why we never exactly followed anything directly?" Byleth inquired, and he nodded.
"I wanted you to understand not just the words of the Church of Seiros, but also other views as well. Then, when you were older, you could follow what you wanted." He left out the fact that he didn't want her desiring to come near the place.
As they were talking, two figures emerged from an antechamber nearby. One was Rhea. He knew her on sight, the other, a man in blue garb, with a circlet upon his head, and sporting short green hair with a closely cut neat beard he'd never seen before. The man gave off a strict feeling, mature and fatherly, and, if there was one thing Jeralt had learned to read, it was how a person presented them-self. This man was someone that had a noble side to him, but also more humble than the woman beside him. His darker hair made him wonder if they were family or not.
The man spoke first as they came before the duo. "Thank you for your patience, Jeralt. My name is Seteth. I am an advisor to the archbishop."
"Right. Hello." He gave a nod to the man before him. Keep it business. Let nothing slip.
Rhea smiled at him in that gentle, nonchallenging way that she always did. The calming tone of her soothing voice he'd heard her practice over the years of service. At one time, that voice would make him feel at ease and safe, now it filled him with anxiety and some dread. He knew how powerful the woman before them was. She'd saved his life with her powers, changed him, for the better, and for the worse. He owed her and yet he felt his debt to have been paid. He wanted nothing more to do with her, but still he was in her home, and she had all the cards in their game of poker, waiting for him to call her bluff.
"It has been a long time, Jeralt." Rhea spoke to him and he held himself straight to keep from gesturing in any way that could give off any of his emotions to her. He had to keep her guessing, so she didn't have an advantage. "I wonder…" she went on, "was it the will of the goddess that we have another chance meeting like this?"
Or more likely, your will to set something up to get us here. Jeralt considered, watching her and the man like a father hawk flying around his nest to watch his baby. He wasn't about to let her get her claws into his Byleth. Her mother wanted her away from this place, and by the gods, he had kept his word to her until this point.
He bowed, playing the game and dancing the dance, as he did years ago. "Forgive my silence all these years. Much has happened since we last spoke."
"So I see," Rhea smiled at him and her eyes turned to his daughter. "The miracle of fatherhood has blessed you. That is your child, is she not?"
Don't flinch, don't give her an in, He reasoned as she asked her question and he cursed in his mind that her perception was as good as ever. Jeralt kept his tone neutral as he spoke. "Yes… Born many years after I left this place. I wish I could introduce you to the mother of my child… but I'm afraid we lost her to illness."
It wasn't a total lie, but he couldn't tell her the truth, either. No way in hell was he about to do that and lose the one thing that was rightfully his and Sitri's. They had made Byleth, and he would protect her from anyone, even Rhea herself, if he had to.
"I see," Rhea told him and gazed upon his daughter with a caring look. "My condolences. As for you…" Byleth's head gave a little tilt at the attention drawn to her by the Archbishop, "I heard of your valiant efforts from Alois. What is your name?"
Jeralt held his breath as his daughter spoke, knowing that this would please the woman before them. She bowed graciously, as she did when they were before nobility, and spoke with a clear, firm voice. "My name is Byleth, Lady Rhea."
He wished she had kept quiet, but he knew it would appear odd if he told her to stay silent. Byleth was already looking at him strangely, and Jeralt was sure questions would come after this meeting when they were alone. He's always taught her to watch what she said to others, too much information given out and you could lose your life when you'd least suspect it. Jeralt didn't want her living on the edge, always afraid of falling over, but he didn't want her to be reckless with her life, either.
"A fine name indeed," Rhea went on. "From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for saving those students of the Officers' Academy."
Jeralt snorted softly. He didn't want or need to hear her thanks, he just wanted to leave. Rhea reacted to that and turned to face him. Their eyes met, just like the time when she imbued him with her powers when he was dying, and just like when he expressed his feelings and desires to marry Sitri to her. Both times he couldn't read what was in her eyes, and now he made damn sure she couldn't read what was in his.
"Jeralt. You already know what it is I wish to say, do you not?"
He knew, he'd always known, there was no avoiding it anymore. He had to set things up, needed to protect her somehow. Cautiously, he chose his words. "You want me to rejoin the Knights of Seiros, don't you? I won't say no, but…"
"Your apprehension stings," she alleged softly, and he caught a glance from Seteth. He wasn't sure if the look was one that implied he didn't know about their past, it wasn't beyond her to keep secrets even from her closet advisors, or one of concern at her choice of words and whatever she was planning to do next. The feeling he got off the man was one that he liked. He would not screw around with him like she liked to. Rhea went on, "I had expected that Alois would have already asked this of you."
"Forgive my curtness, Lady Rhea, but what I and Alois discuss is matters between the two of us, as I'm sure you and your advisor would understand," Jeralt told her carefully. She gave a nod, as if contemplating his words.
"I must step away for now, but I expect they will desire a word with you soon. Until tomorrow… Farewell."
"Before you leave, a question, Lady Rhea." He stopped her, and she nodded. "There was a young girl who assisted us, I'm sure Alois mentioned it to you. While she's not one of my men, I would like to make sure she's been taken care of and compensated for her efforts in the fight. She helped protect the village and it wouldn't be right to leave her out in the lurch."
"Indeed, it would not," Seteth agreed with him. "While we could not pay her directly, a decision was made to place her in a house in the school where she can study. The young lady agreed and has since moved into her dwellings for the time being. I hope you find that to your satisfaction?"
Jeralt nodded, though he didn't particularly like that trade. He'd need to see where the girl was when he had a moment to himself. The two departed, Seteth lingering for a moment, as if studying Jeralt as well, then following Rhea. It seemed like the man was trying to figure out something for himself. Well, none of my business for now. Crap, I haven't even warned her yet about what they want of her, too.
Jeralt heaved a sigh, and Byleth nudged him. "Hmmm?"
"What's bothering you? She seems, well, not what I expected from the way you normally describe church leaders."
"I just can't believe it." He shook his head. "Forced back into the Knights of Seiros. This was not in any of my plans for us." The former knight glanced at his daughter as he caught a near chuckle and it cheered him some. He knew she worried he couldn't tell the feelings she wanted to express. But he'd seen the little things. Falling asleep on his lap, drawing him a picture, checking on him after battle and walking the horse when he was tired or sore. He loved her more than anything, and even if she didn't know how to smile or cry or even throw an angry teen tantrum a few years back, he didn't care. She was his daughter, and he'd learned to find her emotions in the little actions she did.
"I'm sorry I dragged you into this." He put a hand on her shoulder and she put a hand on his. "Looks like I'll be stuck here for a while…" another nod, "And I'm afraid your services are requested as well."
Byleth's eyes went wide. "I must… work here?"
Jeralt nodded, "That's the idea, yes."
"But as what job? A mercenary?" she stared and he could see a bit of a downturn on her lips. "Or as a servant?"
"Nothing like that." He assured her, and she looked relieved. Besides, if they thought they could get her to work as a servant, we'd be out of here by a leap off the balcony if need be. There was no way he'd let Rhea use her as a servant, and he honestly doubted that the woman would. "They want you to teach, by the sound of it."
"Me? Teach?" She looked a bit confused.
"You heard those brats earlier talking about the Officers' Academy, right?" Another nod from her. "Well, the academy just happens to be short a professor." He added under his breath, "a bit too convenient for my liking." Jeralt pursed his lip, "And apparently that damned Alois went and recommended you to Lady Rhea."
Byleth was about to ask more questions when they were interrupted by two new people that walked in as they were going to make their way out. Jeralt paused. He'd seen the woman in the black dress before on posters for the opera in the Empire years ago, Manuela Casagrande, if he recalled correctly. But the man in the brown robes with the monocle, he didn't have a clue.
Manuela smiled at them and spoke first. "Ah, there you are. We hope you're not leaving so soon."
"We were just on our way out. But it seems you have something to say?"
She nodded, "So. You must be the new professor."
Jeralt sighed. He could see where this was going and wanted none of it. Manuela was beautiful, but his heart was for only one woman, and she had departed this earthly plane twenty-one years before. So when she flirted with, "My, how stern and handsome you are!" He tried desperately to not roll his eyes.
"Er, no," he laughed nervously, "I'm not the one you're looking for." He turned to his daughter and patted her shoulder gently. She was going to need to manage this on her own so that Rhea didn't get to suspect of whose child Byleth actually was.
"You can handle things from here. Good Luck." He leaned near her ear to add. "And watch out for Lady Rhea. I don't know what she's thinking about making you a professor like this. She may be up to something." He was sure she was, but couldn't push that on Byleth just yet. He needed to find out for himself. "Stay on your guard."
As he walked away to the door, he heard Manuela comment, "Oh. It's you, then? So young…"
He sighed and went out the door of the chamber, only to be greeted by a guard who offered to take him to his new office. Jeralt sighed and waved his hand, "Lead on then."
