Fire Emblem: Three Houses
The Hound of Siorus
Chapter 2: New and Old Faces
Disclaimer: I do not own Fire Emblem Three Houses. All rights belong to Nintendo.
DAY 4 OF GREAT TREE MOON, IMPERIAL YEAR 1180
"I seriously can't believe I'm here," Ashe spoke to Hanraoi as the two of them entered the main hall of Garreg Mach. While Konnor was putting the horses in the stables, Hanraoi would get them checked in and receive their uniforms, dorm numbers and other necessities for staying at the Officers' Academy.
"Well, we're here, Ashe," Han told the adopted son of Lord Lonato. "I'm certain we'll all get used to it in time."
"I hope so," Ashe replied. "I feel…a bit out of place here."
"I'm sure Konnor feels the same way," Han stated as they walked around, looking for somewhere to sign up for the Officers' Academy. They were suddenly approached by a man in a priest's outfit, holding several papers and a quill pen in his hands.
"Are you new students?" he asked.
"We are," Han informed. "Where do we go to sign up and receive our uniforms and such?"
The priest escorted them to a large table where three men sat together. The ones on the left and right were dressed in the usual priest cloth, but the man in the center stood out. He had green hair, a goatee, a gold circlet on his head and wore dark blue clothes with a cape. He seemed to be a high ranking member of the Church, carrying a presence of sternness and professionalism.
"Are you new students?" he asked.
"We are," Han informed. "I am also here with Konnor Siorus, son of Taranis Siorus. He's putting our horses in the stables as we speak."
"We will require his signature from him if he is to be enrolled," the green-haired man informed. "You cannot fill it out for him, I'm afraid."
"He'll be here shortly, I assure you," Han replied.
Han was the first to sign a paper on the table, signing his name "Hanraoi Ultan Siothrun'. Ashe signed after Han was done, then the green-haired man, who was called Seteth by one of the priests, directed them to where they could get their Academy uniforms and assigned dorm rooms.
As they were retrieving their uniforms and dorm keys, Han wondered what was taking Konnor so long. All he had to do was stable the horses, but then again, Konnor didn't know that Han couldn't give his signature. He'd have to go back and tell him himself.
"Hey, Han," Ashe addressed. "When we're done settling in, does some lunch sound good to you?"
"Yes, it does," Han replied. "I'll go get Konnor and once we're all done, we'll meet you in the dining hall." After a week and a half of travelling from Castle Siorus to Garreg Mach, Han was grateful to have something that wasn't cooked over a campfire.
Konnor's mind was still fresh with the voice and beauty of the young woman he had met. He had never seen such a beautiful woman like Dorothea and doubt he'd ever find someone like her ever again. He was praying to the Goddess that she was in the Blue Lions, though it was debatable whether it'd be better if she was in another class.
As his mind was on Dorothea, Konnor led the horses to the stables and found two open stalls. He put North Wind in the first stall and Snow Star in the second while Bronze sat and waited at the door. Once the two horses were walked into their stalls, he took off their saddles and reins, then placed them on racks outside the stall doors.
"What's taking you so long?" Han was heard calling out to Konnor from the door. "It shouldn't have taken you this long just to get the horses in the stables."
"Sorry," Konnor apologized. "I…I got distracted." Han could sense that Konnor wasn't telling him everything, but he decided not to push it
"Then please stay focused. I need you to come to the entrance hall; I can't sign you in. You have to do it yourself."
"I'll be there in just a moment," Konnor responded. Once he made sure the horses were properly taken care of and secured in their stalls while also giving them two apples each from a nearby bucket, the Hound of Siorus left the stables and followed Han to the entrance hall. Bronze followed hem, nudging Konnor's hand several times.
"Do you think the Academy will let you keep Bronze here?" Han asked his lord's adopted son.
"I see no reason why not," Konnor replied as he petted Bronze's head. "Lord Siorus brought three dogs when he attended the Academy years ago and he was allowed to keep them, though he was responsible for any pet fees…and damages caused by his dogs." Konnor chuckled as he remembered some of the stories he heard of how Lord Siorus's dogs caused mayhem at the Academy and getting him scolded by his father from time to time.
"Bronze shouldn't be a problem; he's very low-maintenance, all things considered," Konnor stated. "Besides, he'll be a great aide on the battlefield."
"Yes, I suppose," Han agreed. "But still, you'll have to take responsibility for any problems Bronze causes."
"I'm well aware," Konnor replied before changing the topic after noticing Ashe's absence. "Has Ashe already signed in as well?"
"He has," Han informed. "He was wondering if you'd like to meet him in the dining hall for lunch. I'd personally enjoy something not cooked over a campfire."
"You and me both," Konnor agreed.
Once inside the entrance hall, Han led Konnor to the table where he had signed in. Konnor signed his name 'Konnor Faoladh Siorus' on the paper before being instructed where he'd be receiving his uniform and dorm keys. Before leaving, Seteth informed Konnor that while he would be allowed to keep Bronze at the Monastery, he'd have to pay for any pet fees and keep him under control. In short, he repeated what Konnor already knew.
Konnor wasn't concerned about Bronze causing trouble. Despite having been on the battlefield many times, he was very well-behaved, if a bit overly affectionate to others. If anything, the worst Bronze would probably do is assault someone with affectionate licks on the face.
After getting his uniform and dorm keys, Konnor and Han left the entrance hall and started on their way to the dormitories. Despite being the heir to a prominent noble house in Faerghus, Konnor was placed in a dorm on the first floor, a few rooms down from Hanraoi.
"Talk about a slap to the face," Han spoke with disdain as the two of them stood in front of the dormitories.
"I'm not really surprised by it, to be honest," Konnor replied. "I'm not of noble blood and I don't have a Crest. Of course I'm not going to be put with the other nobles."
Despite being the heir to House Siorus, one of the Kingdom's most prominent families, Konnor didn't enjoy the full privileges of nobility due to his common blood and lack of a Crest. It was something that he was reminded of every day, even back home in his family's territory. But at this point, Konnor had gotten used to it.
The two of them walked to their dorms and unlocked the doors to look around inside. It was fairly basic with a bed on the left, a counter directly ahead that ran from one wall of the room to the other beneath three windows, a desk on the right with a chair and next to it, drawers where their clothes would be put.
"Looks well enough," Konnor guessed as he and Bronze walked inside. The greyhound jumped on the bed and laid down while Konnor placed his uniform on top of the drawers and his sword and lance on the counter, which were in need of minimal maintenance due to the several fights he and Han had during their journey to Garreg Mach.
"La-la-la-la-laaaaaaa~"
It was Dorothea's voice and clearly, she was close by. Bronze's head rose up from the bed, then he quickly leapt off and ran out the door.
"Bronze, no!" Konnor called out as he ran off after him. Bronze ran up to Dorothea, who was a few rooms down, and started sniffing her hands again before licking them. This continued for several moments before Konnor ran over and pulled Bronze away from her.
"I'm so sorry!" he apologized. "I hope you weren't frightened by him."
"I would've if I hadn't met him earlier," Dorothea responded. "He's really affectionate, isn't he?"
"A little TOO affectionate," Konnor responded, keeping his hand on Bronze's collar, who sat panting heavily.
"You left rather abruptly a little while back," Dorothea brought up.
Indeed, Konnor had let himself get distracted by Dorothea's singing when he had to put the horses in the stables. Then remembering what he had to do before signing in, he left her in a hurry and brought North Wind and Snow Star to the stables.
"I'm sorry about that," Konnor apologized again. "I had to put our horses away."
"Our horses?" Dorothea asked. "Are you here with someone? A girlfriend, maybe~?"
"No, he's a friend of mine, Hanraoi," Konnor informed. "He and I are enrolling in the Academy together."
"In which house, might I ask?" Dorothea asked.
"The Blue Lions," Konnor answered before asking "What about you?"
He prayed to the Goddess that Dorothea would be in the Blue Lions, but then again, maybe it'd be better if she wasn't in the Blue Lions with him. Above all, he wished she wasn't taken-
"Black Eagles," she responded.
Konnor didn't know if it was his imagination or someone breaking something, but he was certain he heard glass shatter. Even though he was internally disappointed, Konnor kept up his pleasant and friendly smile.
"Say, didn't you say your last name was Siorus?" Dorothea asked.
"I did, yes," Konnor confirmed. "It's a noble family in Faerghus. It's just a week and a half up north from Garreg Mach."
"I thought nobles were placed in the second floor dorms," Dorothea brought up, having seen Konnor and Bronze run out of a room just ahead. "Were you put in a dorm on the first floor?"
"I was," Konnor replied.
Dorothea was a bit surprised by his reaction. Instead of being angry or disappointed, he didn't seem bothered by this at all. Most nobles she had seen reacted angrily to being put on the first floor and demanded to be put on the second 'where they belonged, above the common filth'.
"Dorothea," Konnor spoke. "I hope this doesn't come off as flattery, though I really have to say that I think your singing is very beautiful."
"Thank you," Dorothea replied. "Was it my singing that made you forget about stabling your horses earlier~?" Her tone had suddenly become very flirtatious, though Konnor didn't pick up on it…again.
Of course it was true that it was Dorothea's singing that made put stabling the horses aside for a short while, but he didn't want to say that. How would she react if he confirmed it? Would she be freaked out and thinking he was following her around, possibly stalking? He had to come up with a different answer.
"No, Bronze had run off, as you saw earlier, and I had to get him," Konnor claimed. "Unlike this time, I was able to get him before he pounced on you."
"Uh huh, right," Dorothea replied, easily seeing through Konnor's lie. "You're telling me that you secured your horses AND managed to catch up with your dog when you couldn't do so now?"
"Well, that went out the window," Konnor thought internally. Instead of buying into the lie, Dorothea saw right through and even managed to prove how he was lying.
"Konnor!" Han called out, getting Konnor's attention. "Come on! We have to go meet Ashe!"
"Be there in just a moment!" Konnor called back before facing Dorothea again. "Well, I have to go meet up with an old friend of mine, but I hope I can see you later." Before Dorothea could object, Konnor took Bronze, closed the door to his dorm and left to follow Hanraoi. Though she was a bit annoyed, she couldn't help but giggle at Konnor's awkwardness.
"He was lying," she stated. However, he had certainly caught her interest.
"Who was that earlier?" Han asked Konnor as the two of them walked to the dining hall to meet up with Ashe. As for Bronze, Konnor found a place with many dogs and decided to let him stay there, certain he wouldn't cause trouble.
"Her name's Dorothea," Konnor informed. "And before you ask, she's in the Black Eagles, not the Blue Lions."
"Is she a noble?" Han asked. Konnor let out a loud groan.
"Don't start on that again. It'll end the same way it has before: we ask her family, they realize I don't have a Crest and boom. Proposal falls flat."
It'd definitely be a case for an Imperial noble family. Out of the three Fódlanese nations, the Adrestian Empire was the one who held Crests in the greatest value. Any noble lacking a Crest alone was a reason for them to be deemed unsuitable for marriage. Konnor would undoubtedly be viewed as unsuitable for most, if not all, the Imperial nobility.
"Konnor, I know this is frustrating, but House Siorus will need a Crest-bearing heir," Han insisted. "You cannot give up the search now."
"Then maybe Lord Siorus should've made someone else heir instead of me," Konnor shot back. "Maybe he should've chosen someone who was of noble blood and had a Crest. Now can we please not talk about this?"
"Very well," Han conceded. "But it will need to be addressed sooner or later."
Konnor shook his head in annoyance. He understood where Han was coming from, but at this point, he felt it was no use. He couldn't stress enough how undesirable of a marriage candidate he was in the world of nobility. At this point, finding a noble bride who'd accept him would be as easy as trying to kill a Demonic Beast with a dull, wooden sword.
The two of them made their way to the dining hall, where Ashe had reserved them two seats. In order to keep their seats from being taken, Han sat down and let Konnor and Ashe get their lunches first. Once they had ordered what they wanted, they returned to their seats and let Han go next.
"How've your brother and sister been?" Konnor asked Ashe as Han was away ordering his food.
"They've been doing well," Ashe replied. "Lonato has been keeping them safe back home. But Lonato…"
Konnor could sense how Ashe was feeling about his adoptive father. It had all traced back to his adoptive brother, Christophe Gaspard.
Four years ago, Christophe was implicated to be involved in the Tragedy of Duscur, the terrible day when King Lambert was murdered, the land of Duscur was razed to the ground and its people slaughtered. He was captured by the Central Church of Seiros and condemned to death. Lonato tried to speak out against it, claiming his son was innocent and even offering up his own life in exchange, but his pleas fell on deaf ears and Christophe was executed.
Konnor couldn't imagine the rage Lonato felt towards the Church for unjustly executing his son. He knew Christophe to be a good man and a brave knight; he never would've betrayed his country or his king. But nothing could be done about it anymore. Christophe was dead and, as far as the Kingdom was concerned, he died a traitor to Faerghus.
"I…I know," Konnor responded, breaking Ashe away from the topic. "But I'm glad to hear your brother and sister are safe back with Lonato."
"Thank you, Konnor," Ashe replied. The adopted son of Lonato silently noted the absence of someone he expected to be with Konnor at the Academy. Before it could become a topic, Hanraoi returned to the table.
"So, Ashe, did you hear Prince Dimitri will be enrolling this year?" Konnor asked.
"I've heard," Ashe replied. "I actually saw his signature back when Han and I signed in. I still can't believe I'll be meeting the Crown Prince of Faerghus."
"That makes two of us," Konnor replied.
"I thought you had met him during the rebellion two years ago," Ashe asked. Knowing that Konnor had helped quell the rebellion, he was certain that he had met Dimitri during that time. However, because of the positioning of their armies during that time, Konnor didn't have the chance to meet the Crown Prince, even after the victory.
Up until now, Konnor had only known Prince Dimitri by reputation, so this chance to meet him in person was a great honor. He just wished someone else he knew had been able to meet Prince Dimitri.
Soon, the head chef called out the orders for Konnor, Ashe and Hanraoi. Konnor's order was the Garreg Mach Meat Pie, Ashe's was the Sweet and Salty Whitefish Sauté and Han's was the Vegetable Pasta Salad…which happened to be the last one due to its popularity.
"Hey, Konnor," Ashe addressed. "I've heard that Lord Siorus has tried finding you a wife. Has that been going well?" Konnor shook his head as he took a bite of his meat pie.
"Not even in the slightest," he replied. "Every single proposal has been turned down flat. At this point, there's simply no way I'm finding a noble bride."
"Unless that woman you were talking to was a noble," Han brought up. "You definitely seemed interested in her, that's for sure."
"Oh, lay off," Konnor shot back. "I just met her. Besides, she's in the Black Eagles. If she is a noble, then any chance of her and I getting married has already gone right out the window."
Han silently agreed that it was unfortunately very true. Nobles of the Adrestian Empire tended to care about the social status of Crests rather than their practical functions. Konnor would immediately be considered unsuitable by any Imperial noble family, despite him being heir to a powerful house like Siorus.
"I guess I shouldn't have brought it up," Ashe spoke in an apologetic manner.
"It's okay," Konnor assured as he took another bite of his meat pie. "How's your skill with a bow? The last time I saw you practicing, you had improved quite well."
"It's going along well," Ashe replied. "Though I'm pretty sure that there are better archers than me here at the Academy."
"Maybe, but I've seen how good you are with a bow," Konnor complimented. "Well, I'm certain your time here at the Academy will hone your archery."
"Thanks, Konnor," Ashe replied. "I've actually heard that you've become quite a horseman."
As Gaspard lands lay close to Siorus lands, it was probable that some stories of Konnor had reached Ashe. Indeed, the past four years had sharpened Konnor's skills as a horseman, spearman and swordsman. His exploits and admiration from his people had earned him the name 'Hound of Siorus', which had clearly reached Ashe's ears.
"That's what I've been told," Konnor responded. "Well, when we're done eating, should we look around the Monastery a bit? It's only the afternoon and it'd help if we knew where to go."
"Sounds good to me," Ashe agreed.
"As do I," Han agreed too.
After eating lunch, Konnor picked up Bronze and joined Ashe and Hanraoi in their walk around the Monastery.
It was much bigger than they anticipated, which caused them to get lost a few times, but they stayed together in case one of them remembered where they were. They found the fishing pond, the greenhouse, the Blue Lions classroom, the training grounds, the reception hall and other locations within the Monastery while staying together.
"Whoa, the Monastery's bigger than I expected," Konnor commented. "I never imagined I'd be here with all these nobles. What about you, Ashe?"
"You and me both," the archer replied as they kept walking. "So, if you don't mind me asking, who was that girl you saw earlier?"
"Well, her name's Dorothea," Konnor reluctantly answered, getting a bit nervous. "And she's…definitely charming."
"Clearly," Han spoke. "But I hope you don't intend to let her distract you from your studies."
"How can she do that?" Konnor questioned in disbelief. "She and I won't even be in the same class together."
"There's something called transferring to another class," Hanraoi brought up before stopping. "Hang on, is that her?" Konnor and Ashe stopped and looked in the direction of where the brown-haired beauty was talking to another student. Before Bronze could even take off, Konnor grabbed onto his collar.
"Oh, she's talking to someone," Konnor commented. Han let out a tired groan.
"She's flirting with him, Konnor," he corrected. "And with a noble at that, just as she was doing with you earlier." Konnor shook his head and turned to face Han, looking away from Dorothea.
"Now would you know that? We didn't hear our conversation." Han facepalmed.
"Konnor, you are the absolute worst. How come you cannot tell when a woman's flirting with you?"
"I don't want to make things awkward," the Hound claimed. "Besides, the last thing I need is a woman thinking the wrong thing about me." Han shook his head in frustration.
"I think I've explored enough of Garreg Mach. I'm going to go to my dorm and rest for a while."
"I think I will too," Ashe agreed, following Han back to the dorms. "I'll see you later, Konnor."
"Take care," Konnor responded. Instead of heading back to his dorm to rest, he'd probably find somewhere to play with Bronze and get his exercise in. He already had tons of paper, a good quill pen to work with and really wanted a chance to relax after spending a week and a half on his horse.
"Are you following me?" Dorothea asked. Konnor's eyes went wide with surprise before turning around to see that she had walked up to him.
"What? No!" he quickly answered. "My friends and I were exploring the Monastery after we ate. They went back to their dorms to rest for a bit."
"That sounds rather convenient," Dorothea replied in a rather flirty tone. "Are you sure you weren't looking specifically for me~?"
"I'm glad to have run into you, though I really wasn't looking for you," Konnor answered. "I was actually just about to head off somewhere to get Bronze's exercise in."
Yet again, Konnor didn't pick up that the beautiful woman was flirting with him. As much as Dorothea found it a little irritating that he wasn't picking up on it, she found him a bit endearing.
"You didn't answer my question from before," she brought up. Konnor raised an eyebrow. What did he fail to answer when they last spoke just a while ago?
"Was it my singing that made you forget about stabling the horses earlier?"
Konnor mentally screamed as he hoped she would've forgotten about it, but clearly, the answer he gave before wasn't satisfactory. It was clear she wouldn't drop it until she was given the answer she wanted or at the least, believed to be true. At this point, he couldn't try lying, so he figured he might as well tell the truth.
"I wouldn't say forget, but…yes," he reluctantly answered. "When I heard you singing, I tied my horses' reins to a branch and came back later for them."
He was embarrassed to admit it out of fear that Dorothea would find it creepy or make her believe he was following her. The last thing Konnor wanted was her thinking poorly of him. Instead, Dorothea just started to chuckle at the Hound of Siorus.
"You are just too cute!" she teased.
"Cute?" Konnor asked, raising an eyebrow.
"You're so easily flustered," she teased again.
Konnor didn't truly get the response he liked, but at least she didn't denounce him as being a creep or such.
"Well, I'm glad you had fun," he responded. "Well, it was great seeing you again. I'll talk to you later-" Before he could try to leave, Dorothea grabbed the back of his collar and kept him from leaving.
"Why are you always in such a rush to leave after talking to me?" she demanded to know.
"The first time because I had to get the horses in the stables," Konnor answered. "The second time because I had to meet up with a friend in the dining hall, one I hadn't seen in a long time. And now, I thought our conversation was finished, so I thought-."
"You know it's rude to walk away from a lady when she's talking to you, right~?" she flirted. Konnor slowly reached his arm to touch Dorothea's hand and gently removed it from his collar.
"If I was coming across as rude, I'm sorry," Konnor apologized. "I thought our conversation was done." Dorothea chuckled.
"You weren't really rude. But if you do feel bad about it, you can make it up to me with tea later today, maybe around 6:00. I'll see you later, Konnor~" She then started to walk off, but just before disappearing of sight, she turned back to face the Hound.
"There's a place for tea not too far from here," Dorothea explained. "If you do decide to meet me, my favorite blend is Sweet Apple. Goodbye for now~" She then walked away.
Konnor just stood there with an unsure expression on his face. He had only met her three times in one day and she was already inviting him out to tea or rather, he was treating her to tea.
"Was she flirting with me?" he wondered before leaving to find somewhere to train with Bronze.
Konnor went to the training grounds with Bronze, where he used a wooden lance against his greyhound. It was necessary to teach his dog how to fight against any kind of weapon and better his animal as a fighter.
His mind was otherwise occupied by his later tea date with Dorothea. Was she flirting with him? It'd certainly make sense considering how she accused him of being 'rude' by walking away and then requested he treat her to tea to amend for it. But was he rude? Sure, he had left abruptly the first two times they spoke, but he felt they were for good reasons.
"Excuse me," a voice spoke. "Are you Konnor Siorus?"
Konnor stopped training and looked to see a young man built similarly to him, but had short blonde hair, blue eyes, and wore a blue cape on his left shoulder and had a sword on his belt. The cape immediately gave away who he was since only House Leaders could wear them.
"Prince Dimitri?" Konnor gasped as he stood up. "I…I'm really honored to meet you. But yes, I'm Konnor."
"It's nice to meet you," Dimitri greeted. "And please, no need for formality. Just call me by my name."
"Of course, Your…Dimitri," Konnor corrected himself. "How'd you know I was here?"
"I saw your signature on the papers where students sign in," Dimitri replied. "I've heard about your exploits in defending your family's territory and in helping to suppress the rebellion two years ago. I felt I should introduce myself to you when I had a chance since I didn't get one after we stopped the rebellion."
Konnor couldn't express how honored he felt that the Prince of Faerghus wanted to meet him in person. It truly felt like a privilege for someone of royalty to meet someone like him.
Unfortunately, the mention of the rebellion brought back unpleasant memories for Konnor. It was a day when he helped stop the Kingdom's throne from being usurped by a traitorous noble, but it came at a very dear cost to himself and his family, something that weighed heavily on the Hound of Siorus.
"I was hoping to meet you, but after the rebellion was stopped…" He hesitated for a moment, his mood quickly changing from happy to solemn.
"I'm sorry that I brought it up," Dimitri apologized.
"It's fine, Your High…Dimitri." Konnor chuckled at having to correct himself again. "I'm really going to have to get used to calling you by your name, aren't I?"
"I'd honestly appreciate it if you would," Dimitri insisted. "Either way, when you're available would you like to spar with me? You seem like a good sparring partner."
"I'd be honored, Dimitri," Konnor replied. When he turned his head away to get back to training with Bronze, who had already tried to assault Dimitri with licks but was stopped, Konnor saw a bandage across the prince's right hand.
"What happened to your hand?" he asked.
"This?" Dimitri replied, raising his head. "Oh, I was trying to help a student move into her dorm on the second floor earlier this afternoon, but I accidentally dropped a vase. It was quite loud."
Konnor thought back to when Dorothea told him she'd be in the Black Eagle House and he thought he heard glass shatter. He groaned to the realization that it was simply Dimitri dropping a glass vase and breaking it.
"So that's what is was."
Author's Notes: I hope you're liking the story so far! If you have any constructive criticism to share, please write a review or PM me! Keep writing, my fellow writers!
