AN: I do not own Fire Emblem, all characters belong to Intelligent Systems and Nintendo
He was incensed. Never had he quite felt this angry at his sister, and yet he here was waiting for her to come and see him, and he was fuming. Rhea had been the most like their mother among the twelve of them. Reckless, stubborn, at times irresponsible, but always kind and compassionate towards others. Yet in the time they had parted ways she had changed, and in his opinion, it was not for the better. Her composure was the same, but there was a subtle shift in her behavior. Seteth wasn't sure when it had begun. Maybe when the fire had happened those twenty-one years ago when she had called him to come and help her set thing back into order with the church. Or maybe it had begun before that when she had killed Nemesis with her dagger on the battlefield. No, he was sure it was earlier than that, after that boy…
He pushed the thoughts of the past from his mind. It didn't matter when it started, just that it had started and he didn't like it one bit. The man she had called Jeralt. He was suspicious. His tone; rude, his appearance; unkempt, how was that supposed to reflect upon the Church? Having a man like that as assistant to the captain, even if they had said that it was fine by them for Jeralt to come in and help, it all felt far too convenient.
The green-haired dragon paced. He had no time for her foolish games, and they were games, that he was sure of. His worry about her had grown over the twenty-one years that he'd been in her company here at the monastery. He sat in his chair and took a calming breath, like his wife had told him. He needed to think, to breathe, and not to react to her in a way that could cause issues and bring about notice of them. Since before the fire, he had been wary of her obsession with bringing their mother to life.
Sothis, he thought of her from time to time. While Rhea still called her mother, he had tried to avoid it in order to keep her legends up for his sister's sake. Still, he wondered, would she have been okay with any of this? The fact remained, from what he could recall, was that she may have been interested in the whole thing, but the framing more than likely would have annoyed her. After all, you said once there were those far more powerful than you and only one you would call a goddess yourself.
He sat up when he heard the door open, and Rhea entered his office. Standing up, he nodded to her. "Thank you for coming."
"Of course. I just spoke with Jeralt's daughter. She is, as I thought, a kind and humble soul." Rhea told him and he took a breath.
"Be that as it may, I don't understand your reasoning here…" Seteth waved his hand. "Whatever you have planned."
Rhea blinked, and for just a moment the bratty kid sister he remembered glinted in her eyes, then it was gone like a whisper in the night air. "Pardon? I don't understand what you mean, Seteth. It is as it appears. I'm offering them a place to stay. The child has been wandering with him for a long time, it seems."
"But that is not the point. You don't just simply offer humans a place to stay. You never have." He accused her heatedly. He walked over to her as she frowned some at him. He didn't care. She needed to hear this.
"I stood by as you created this church, this worship, and that was fine. I understood it back then, and I stayed out of it for as long as I could. But when you asked me to help you, I came, no questions asked since you seemed so distraught. Yet you never fully explained to me what occurred. Now I'm hearing whispered rumors, and salacious gossip…"
Her brow narrowed. "What sort of gossip, and by whom?"
"Words that implied you and this Jeralt were… something…" he shook his head, hoping it wasn't true.
"Such rumors are invalid. Nothing happened between us, Seteth. I assure you." She told him calmly, and he snorted.
"Your words are, as always, hard for me to believe." Again, he caught the bratty look she used to have, but it vanished quickly as he went on. "But I am not here to discuss that with you."
"Then what, exactly?" She bade him to continue and he could feel under her smile the rising of her own annoyance. As if she had any right to think he wouldn't question her. He was older than her, and if he couldn't flex some of that authority over her once in a while for matters that mattered to him, then what was the point of even being here to help her and guide her? She was, in his mind, still a child.
"It's regarding this decision that you made regarding Jeralt and his child. The last time that man was here, strange things happened at Garrag Mach, and you needed me to come in and set them right." He shook his head, frustrated. "And now you offer him back his former job, even if you claim it's just to assist the Captain. What proof have you he has changed since he left?"
"None but my own experiences with him, Seteth." Rhea told him smoothly, and he took a deep breath.
Mother, give me strength. He tried again. "Rhea, your own experiences are not enough of anything at this point. We don't know what this man has been doing these last several years, not to mention his child and this insane move to have her become a Professor."
"I'm certain that she can very well handle her tasks and instruct the students to strengthen them leaders." Rhea told him, an irritated tone coming into her voice as she spoke. "Do you question my judgement on this, Seteth?"
"I question if your biases are clouding it, yes."
She scowled some. "And as archbishop, my choices are justified."
He glared. "So then, you have no intention of changing your mind, Rhea? Appointing a stranger–a child, no less!–as professor at our esteemed academy is…"
"I have made my decision, Seteth." His sister told him, and the dragon frowned. Her emotional attachment to this man that was from her past was clouding choices in the present, which was the only thing he could think of at this point. But why? What was their connection? All she had told him was that he was Captain of the Knights for many years, and then, while the fire raged, he departed, leaving nothing behind. It bothered him, this whole situation with her and this human, and he didn't know why. He'd not been friendly when they had their discussion, and it was clear there was tension between them, at least on the side of Jeralt, that much he was certain of from their interaction.
"I know worrying comes naturally to you, but there is truly no need." Rhea explained to him. Her brows narrowed. "That 'Stranger' is Jeralt's flesh and blood, after all."
"Flesh and blood, or not, I can't say that's all too comforting." He crossed his arms and closed his eyes thoughtfully. "How trustworthy is this Jeralt character?" He stared at her seriously. "I would remind you that Flayn is now here with us as well."
His daughter was the one thing he needed to protect more than anything. She had woken up just eighteen years ago after her long slumber, from using her magic so much it nearly killed her. Her mother had not been so lucky. He wanted peace here, quiet. Where she could adjust more easily to the human world, they were now living in. He wanted to go back to the days when she played with the tree, the apple-seed, the waterfall, the sunflower and the violet. Where her cares were only on what the next day would bring and thoughts of the war were far behind them. He'd brought her there about five years ago, as she had become tired of living at their home, far away from the eyes of the many humans that roamed around the continent.
The older man pleaded with his sister to understand, "I beg of you… please consider whether this is an unnecessary risk."
"Seteth. They have my trust. Let that be enough for you as well." Rhea told him.
It's not that simple. "I trusted someone once, and it cost me dearly." He reminded her, and Rhea closed her eyes.
"I understand well the pain of your past. Would not Kaidia wish you to open up more?"
Seteth held in a shout as he tried to keep his tone as calm as possible. "Do not invoke my wife's name upon me to get me to side with your choices, Rhea."
She shook her head. "That is not why I mentioned her. But I wish you would think more of what she would want for you and Flayn."
"I know very well what she would want, and I do not need reminding by you."
Rhea nodded and tried to change the subject. "More importantly, I have received a report from Shamir. I am increasingly concerned about a matter regarding our suspicious individual." He nodded to her understanding. "We cannot ignore those who harbor ill will toward the church, especially if they are frequenting Garreg Mach."
It was clear the discussion was over, so he allowed her to move on.
"Yes, that matter is of great importance as well. I shall continue my investigation." But he wanted to be sure that she heeded his warning. "Rhea… For now, I will have faith that you are placing your trust with the utmost care. I pray nothing occurs to shake that confidence."
"And I hope you shall return to being able to place faith in others, Seteth." She commented as they parted ways.
Alone, he pondered her words. Had his faith in other become shaken that badly? He would admit, to himself, at least, was that he had always been the sort to suspect others. Not that he couldn't trust, it was just not something he easily gave out. Then again, Kaidia was always the one to get him to come out of his shell when connecting with others.
"You can't just simply let someone in can you" the memory of his wife teasing them as they sat near the waterfront with her gazing over the ocean back to her homeland. He could recall her blue eyes closed and her pink hair blowing in the wind as she enjoyed the smell of the salt sea air. When she opened them, he could see wonder in those eyes, and the hope for the future, but also a longing to go home. Yet she couldn't. Not yet, not while there was still danger within her home country's border. "That's one of your few flaws, Cichol. You don't open yourself up to others, and the more you hold yourself in, the more your heart will grow cold. And I would hate to see someone like you become like that man…"
"I wish you were here Kaidia, maybe you could talk sense into that woman." He muttered, opening his eyes and got up from the seat he'd taken. Work was one thing that would keep him occupied and so he went about busying himself, glimpsing Jeralt's child rushing around with the crowned prince. This worried him. Three heirs, three future rules who held the stakes of their lives in the palms of their hands. He prayed the path forward would be one of diplomacy, but given the activities from the Empire, the Holy Kingdom, and the Alliance, he wasn't sure that such would happen. War was what he dreaded. They did not need more of that. Not after what had happened before, and not after the last either.
He was quick with his work. The faster he could get it done, the better, and it would give him time to observe the two of them. However, that plan was cut short when Alois caught sight of him.
"Ah, Seteth, just the man I wanted to see."
He pretended to not hear the knight commander and kept walking. But Alois was nothing, if not stubborn, and followed with fleet foot. He called again.
"I say, Seteth, a moment of your time."
"I'm busy at the moment, Alois." He stopped when he realized the man had followed him all the way down the footpath back toward the main courtyard. Turning to face him, the dragon stared and spoke calmly. "Is there something you need?"
"Actually, yes, I wanted to talk to you about the situation with the bandits." Alois said seriously and Seteth nodded.
"I thought we had taken care of that."
"I thought so too, but some of my men informed me there's been some movement, and I thought that an expedition would be in order." Alois told him and the man gave a short nod.
"If the matter is concerning to you, then yes. It would be good to discover the reason they attacked the camp. Our position was not known, and the area that we selected is normally safe." Seteth intoned as he thought. The whole situation with the three house leaders worried him. Was someone targeting them? If so, who? Rhea had been of little help with this matter as the Cardinals wanted it covered up, and he was now worried corruption had set in with the group; but if there was a chance to find out an answer...
"Yes, I think this is a wise action, Alois. Thank you for informing me."
"Excellent, and I know just the man to help me." Alois grinned at him and Seteth stared.
"The right man? Exactly who are you speaking about?"
Alois laughed, "Why Captain Jeralt, of course! He's one of the cleverest men I know. He'll sort this out."
"Then perhaps you don't know too many cleaver men." Seteth muttered and shook his head, and spoke up. "As it is, the Archbishop has plans for him right now. But if there is some time, I'll speak with him and have him assist you, if you insist."
"I would appreciate it very much, thank you Sir" Alois bowed to him and walked off, when an idea crossed Seteth's mind.
"A moment Alois, if you would walk with me. I have some questions to ask you."
Alois stopped and turned back. "Oh? About what, if I may so boldly ask Seteth? It's not every day that the Aid to the Archbishop wants to walk and talk with me. But maybe I'm getting ahead of myself." The commander chuckled. "Get it? A head, because you're walking in front of me."
Seteth sighed. Kaidia would find that amusing. "Yes, I get it Alois. Now if you please."
"Of course," Alois hurried over to him and the two walked along talking. He started out simple, about Alois wife and daughter, how they were and what they were up to. The younger man was surprised that Seteth was interested in the goings on of his family, but the dragon brushed it off. He then slowly, and carefully brought up Alois past with the knights and how he had met Jeralt.
"He's a fine man, brave too. Why, when I was younger, I was his squire."
"You were? He looks rather young to have had you." Seteth considered and Alois laughed.
"I was going to say he hasn't aged a day. I mean in the nonliteral sense. What I wouldn't give to know his secret to looking so young."
"So you think he doesn't look any different from when you last saw him?" This was becoming interesting. How could this man have had Alois as his assistant, when they looked about the same age, he wondered.
Alois rubbed his chin as they made their way inside the central building. "Well, let's see. His hair is longer than it was twenty-one years ago. And his beard is not as neat, and I think I saw some new scars, but no, he looks the same as I remember."
"And you were here twenty-one years ago when the fire broke out?" Seteth asked and Alois nodded.
"Oh, that's right. You came in after he left, so you never met him."
Seteth crossed his arms. "No, I did not. Though I would like to know the man better, seeing as he's going to be watching over us. So, what can you tell me about him?"
"Well, there has never been as loyal a man that I have ever known." Alois gushed and then reveled Seteth in tales about his view of Jeralt and their adventures together, and, from Seteth's point of view, exaggerating his role a tad bit.
As he listened, he got a better idea of who Jeralt Eisner was, at least from Alois perspective. Loyal, honest, blunt but always polite and knew how to deal with the nobles and get things done. He was strong and capable, and one who could handle just about anything.
"So, may I ask one last thing? His child, what of her?"
"His daughter?" Alois inquired and shook his head. "Well, seeing as she is his daughter, I would say she was the same as him. Though it's funny. I never would have pictured him marrying, not after what happened."
"What happened?" Seteth was curious now. Alois nodded.
"Prior to the fire, he lost his wife and child." The man looked sad for a moment. "They had been close. Jeralt loved her so much. So I'm surprised that he took on another wife and had a child with her. But I guess time heals wounds."
"Yes, it does," Seteth said quietly as he ruminated on this new information. "Thank you for your time Alois. You've cleared up some things for me about why the Archbishop puts her trust in him."
Alois smiled and nodded, "It's my pleasure. I'm happy to tell you many stories about our adventures together anytime you would like."
The two had made it outside of the Audience chamber just as Byleth was coming up the stairs. Alois called to her, and the girl came over with a bow to Seteth and a nod to Alois.
"I take it you're getting on well here at the monastery, Byleth?"
"Yes, Prince Dimitri was kind enough to show me around, since I am going to be teaching at here." She explained and Seteth watched as Alois broke into a wide grin.
"Ha! I imagine you were a bit surprised I recommended you as a professor here." The commander told her and Seteth snorted to himself as he closed his eyes.
So he's the reason the child was chosen? I should have guessed something was going on. She has a soft spot for this fool. He listened quietly as the man spoke to the girl.
"Frankly, we had someone else in mind for the role, but they ran off during our dustup with the bandits." Alois crossed his arms and shook his head. "Can't entrust students to someone who's abandoned them once before."
"I suppose that's true, yes." Byleth commented to the knight and her blue eyes turned on him. He knew he had to say something to her, so he spoke plainly after he gave her a short bow.
"You saved the lives of the students you came across. That, at least, was admirable. I take it you've completed making the rounds and greeted everyone as the Archbishop asked?"
The girl nodded, "Yes. I have."
"And you're here because you are ready to make a choice, then." Again a nod. Seteth inwardly sighed to himself. If this should turn into a disaster, he thought as he lead her into the Audience Chamber after telling the guard to get the other two teachers, at least it was known to her. I objected to this from the start.
Moments later, he was beside his sister and staring at the three professors who would handle the rest of the year. Rhea seemed in high spirits as she was delighted to see the girl upon her arrival. He still didn't yet know what was in her mind about this child, but he would watch and see; and act.
"How are you enjoying your time at the academy thus far?" Rhea asked as they gathered. "I hope you have found our halls brimming with the vitality of well-intentioned souls."
The young woman spoke strongly, carefully choosing her words, Seteth noted. Her father must have taught her such manners. "It has been an enlightening experience, I would say."
"I am delighted to hear this." Rhea said to her, and he glanced at the woman. He was sure if she had just said it was just nice, she would brim with joy at hearing it. What spell has this child cast upon my sister that she is acting so?
He looked at Byleth and crossed his arms. "I suppose it is time for you to take charge of one of our three houses of students. I must note," He glanced at his sister for a second then continued, "that I am personally against entrusting someone as lacking,"–he could feel her eyes boring holes into his temples–"trackable history as yourself with such a task,"–and there came the dagger from her eyes–"but it is as the archbishop desires."
Manuela raised an eyebrow at him for a moment, before she spoke, "The Black Eagles, the Blue Lions, and the Golden Deer… All so different. I hope you've made it a point to get to know each of them."
"Since you are new here," Hanneman commented, "we have decided to allow you first pick. Manuela and I will take charge of the remaining two houses."
Seteth waited to see what she said, and it surprised him when she voiced. "Before I say my choice, I have a question."
"Of course," Rhea smiled to her gently. "We shall try to answer."
The blue-haired girl seemed to take a moment to gather her thoughts. "Why have the houses not been able to have classes with one another? If I may Archbishop, for mercenary groups while we are separate, we work together for various jobs, and when we do work with other bands, it gives us the chance to learn from one another. So I have to ask, why are the houses taught separately so frequently, and is there any way that we, as teachers, can allow our students to learn together? And why the church hasn't allowed this before?"
Seteth stared wide eyed at the girl. She made a very good point, but he wasn't sure how to answer, as Rhea had created the school herself. So any answer would have to come from her. The other two professors were clearly as surprised as he was.
Rhea, though, seemed quiet, and he could feel energy coming from her, as if both amused and curious. Her eyes were closed and then slowly opened as she smiled.
"Dear child, it's not that simple. As you know, the different regions have different ruling styles and different militaries. The culture and their way of doing things differ vastly from one another. Because of this, it is easier to have the classes separated but taught equally by well-trained individuals. If students from the different houses wish to interact with one another, there are many times during the day that they can." She shook her head. "I am sorry, but we must deny your request. Given that the heirs to the three regions are here for this year, it could lead to diplomatic problems between their families."
Byleth nodded, but from the look in her eyes, the answer did not please her, and honestly, it wasn't at all what he had expected from his sister. Still, he was simply aiding her, and not there to overrule her decision.
"Yes, I see Lady Rhea." Something in the girl's eyes made him think she was thinking of something.
"So then your choice?" Rhea asked her.
"I would request to teach the Blue Lion House." Byleth told her plainly. Rhea nodded.
"So let it be, then. Your heart has made its choice. All I ask is that you guide these open minds with virtue, care, and sincerity."
"They are all promising youths who bear the weight of Fódlan upon their shoulders." Seteth told them and looked directly at Byleth as he spoke, "I hope you appreciate what an honor it is to lead them."
As the trio of professors nodded, he heard light footsteps running up to them. He would know those steps anywhere as he had heard them grow from small, tiny feet to the feet of a young woman. He turned to gaze at his daughter as she ran over to them, a kind smile upon her face, reminding him so much of his beloved Kaidia.
"Brother?" Flayn came up, her hair in neat ringlets, and dressed in the black dress that her aunt had gotten for her. He watched as she looked at the group. "Oh! I am so sincerely sorry! I did not mean to interrupt."
He tried to keep his tone as neutral as possible and his face as placid as well, but his mind was racing. This girl would now know she existed, and no doubt would mention this to her father. He still knew so little about them and, given their past ties to mercenaries, he worried that someone would try to take her from him.
"I am in the middle of something, Flayn. Is it urgent?"
Flayn shook her head lightly. He was sure it had something to do with the fish in the pond. It always had something to do with the fish in the pond. But she lied and begged off, "No, no, it's nothing. More importantly… Who is this?"
Damn. He cursed to himself. He should have mentioned this young woman earlier. "This is our newest professor at the academy, Professor Eisner."
His daughter beamed at the girl, her eyes dancing. "Oh my! A new addition to the Officers Academy!" He'd seen that look before, long ago, when she had met the Violet. "I am so very pleased to meet you, Professor Eisner." Bowing to the girl, she added, "I am Seteth's little sister, Flayn. I am so happy to make your acquaintance."
It pained him to hear her say that. Her brother, that was what they had played their roles as, a younger sister and an older brother. While he kept up the charade, he hated it, and wished for a time where she could address him as her father once again. He wanted to get this over with and speak with Rhea in private about her comment.
"Let us focus on the topic at hand. There is something you should be aware of." He noticed Byleth's eyes turn from Flyan to his with an abruptness of one who was used to dealing with sudden changes in orders from different people. This, he figured, might be something that could serve her well in her job.
"In a few days' time, there will be a mock battle between the three houses, intended to gauge the current progress of the students. We will be using this battle as an opportunity to ascertain your own abilities as well. Please do not disappoint the archbishop. That is all."
As the group walked out, he looked at Flayn, who came over to him, a curious look plastered on her face. "Was that the mercenary that saved the house leaders? I heard some knights talking excitedly about it."
"Yes, that is her, unfortunately." Seteth mused as he put a hand on her head. "So, what brings you here? What was so important?"
"I was wondering if you would like to help me catch a fish." She said, and he closed his eyes.
"I would love to, but at the moment I need to speak with the Archbishop."
A flicker of sadness passed through Flayn's eyes as Rhea looked to him, motioning for him to go with her. "I'm certain we can speak later, Seteth. When tempers have cooled. Surely, going with Flayn would bring your spirits up and your anxieties down?"
"It would, yes, but I do not wish my words to be tempered here, Rhea. A word with you, in private, if you please." She nodded and headed for his office. He looked at his daughter and put a hand on her shoulder. "I will meet you by the pond in a half hour. No more or less."
Flayn smiled brightly. "I will await with bells on then, Brother." She hugged him tightly and raced out of the chamber. Seteth waited till she was gone, then walked into his office and shut the door. Rhea was already seated when he came in.
"May I ask if this is about our discussion earlier?"
"No, this has to do with your comment to the new Professor." He seemed confused, and she watched him. "I understand the idea of not wanting certain forms of technology to grow within the grasp of those who could use them to do harm. So that wars and conflicts would not break out. But the child makes a good point about having the houses mingle more, and, to be perfectly honest with you, I agree."
"You do now?" she smiled at him. "It's amusing Seteth. One moment you are against the girl and the next you are agreeing with her."
"I still do not agree with her teaching, but she has a sharp mind." He acknowledged. "But that is not what I am thinking about here. She makes a valid point, Rhea. We are past the point where your fears of what harm they can create is a justification for continuing keeping the houses segregated." He looked at her. "Our family was born from many types of dragons. As such, we gained their strengths…"
"And their weaknesses as well. I understand her feelings, truly. But when the countries get together, it could bring about danger for everyone." Rhea told him and he shook his head.
"But do we not want peace between them? Would mother not want such a thing?"
Rhea closed her eyes and shook her head. "I do not know. But my word is final, the houses should remain separate. As I told the Professor. I am not against the leaders working together, but it would be difficult because of their natures and the political environment that they come from." She glanced at him. "Seteth, I wish to run this as I always have. Please, do not change it on me."
"I shan't, but it is something I think we need to look at." He told her and Rhea stood.
"Good, then we shall leave this discussion for now, as you have some fishing to do."
"Then I shall see you later." He bowed to her and watched as she left. A pang of truth slipped into his mind.
She fears the humans like him. How long before she turns her back on them, too?
