Since today is Dorothea's birthday (September 29), I'm treating you all to an extra chapter this week! Enjoy!
Chapter 67 – Hidden Messages (Red Wolf Moon)
Dorothea let out a soft moan as Edelgard cradled her in her arms. The Adrestian princess had found the girl unconscious next to the corpse of the second Roc with a minor wound to her left arm but otherwise no serious injuries. Still, Edelgard found herself uncharacteristically worried for the singer's well-being.
"Dorothea? Dorothea, can you hear me?" Edelgard said fearfully.
Dorothea's eyelids fluttered as she slowly opened her eyes, the world spinning before her as briefly saw three Edelgards. Her vision began to refocus as her hearing came back.
"Dorothea? Are you alright?"
"E-Edie…? Ah, Edie!"
Remembering what had just been happening not even five minutes earlier, Dorothea bolted upright and looked around frantically at her surroundings. The battle was over, and the others were gathering in front of Archbishop Rhea.
"W-What happened?" Dorothea asked in confusion.
"I found you unconscious here after… after Aelfric and Yuri betrayed us," said Edelgard.
"Wait, WHAT?!"
Realization hit Dorothea like a sack of rocks, and her expression turned to one of indignant fury.
"That smooth-talking, backstabbing, no-good SCOUNDREL!" she shouted. Swiftly rising to her feet, she then said, "Where's my sword? I'm gonna stick it right in his smug–"
"Dorothea, calm down," said Edelgard. "He's gone. Yuri and Aelfric stole the Chalice of Beginnings and took the other Ashen Wolves as their hostages… as well as Professor Eisner."
All of Dorothea's anger evaporated in an instant upon hearing this.
"Wait, what? P-Professor Byleth?"
"I don't know what the two intend for them, but perhaps it would be best for us to hear what Archbishop Rhea has to say."
Realizing that they couldn't do anything else about the situation, Dorothea gave a reluctant nod and walked over to retrieve Joyeuse.
Then, as she picked it up, she remembered about Clovis and asked, "Hold on, where's Clovis?"
"Long gone, I suspect," said Edelgard. "But we have bigger things to worry about than him. I doubt he'll be back anytime soon."
Dorothea let out an angry sigh at hearing this. Knowing her unscrupulous half-brother was still alive and on the loose did nothing to help her mood.
"Come on, we need to speak with Rhea."
…
"Wake up! Wake up!" Sothis shouted in Byleth's mind as the bluette slowly regained consciousness. "This is no time for a nap! We are in grave peril!"
Byleth's mind was still a haze, but from the sensation of the cold air, she knew she wasn't outside anymore. But it was what she felt next that made her jolt back to an aware state. It was the feeling of metal shackled to her ankles and wrists. Her eyes bolted open and she looked down at herself to see she had been bound to a crucifix by her arms and legs. She thrashed and pulled hard on her restraints in an attempt to break free, but it was to no avail. After a few seconds of thrashing against her bonds, Byleth realized she wasn't going anywhere.
"You are awake," said Aelfric as he emerged from the shadows and walked up to Byleth.
"Aelfric, what is this?" Byleth asked, not showing her feelings of betrayal. "Let me out of this right now!"
"I cannot do that yet, Byleth. I need you to remain where you are while I complete my work."
Realizing what he meant, Byleth said, "You're going to perform the Rite of Rising?"
"Yes, I am. To bring back one precious to both of us. But for your own safety, you must remain where you are. The runes I have inscribed beneath your feet will protect you from the ritual."
Byleth did not believe this and renewed her struggles. As she did, Aelfric stepped up to her and cupped her chin in his hand, stopping her.
"Please, do not force me to harm you, Byleth. Not when she is about to return to me."
"Aelfric, please, let me out! Stop and think about what you're doing!"
"I have had years to think it over, child. And I will not be deterred when I am so close to my goal."
Aelfric then strode away from Byleth as another familiar face walked up to her. Upon seeing Yuri, Byleth could no longer hide an expression that showed how hurt she was by his betrayal.
"Yuri, why are you–"
"Gonna need you to keep it down, Professor," Yuri said coldly before he swung a fist hard into Byleth's solar plexus.
Byleth let out a painful gasp as Yuri knocked the wind out of her and, before she lost consciousness again, the rogue brought himself up to Byleth's ear.
Yuri then said in a whisper, "Can't have you tipping him off…"
Byleth didn't have time to think about what Yuri meant before unconsciousness swallowed her mind once more.
…
The students were now discussing what to do next after hearing Rhea's explanation. Aelfric, as they learned, had brought together the Ashen Wolves with the intent of reenacting the Rite of Rising, presumably to raise someone from the dead. But in order to perform the ritual, he had to be somewhere inside Garreg Mach, as the Chalice only had power within the monastery. The students had been ready to go find Aelfric and Byleth when Alois had returned with news of a massive bandit attack on the monastery town, which they realized had to be a diversion meant to keep the Knights of Seiros from finding Aelfric.
Now the students were gathered back outside their classrooms debating what to do next.
"We shouldn't be wasting time squabbling," said Felix. "Every second we waste could be crucial."
"Yeah, we need to find them already!" said Caspar.
"Caspar, do you have any idea at all where to look?" said Linhardt.
"No, but–"
"Rhea said that the Rite of Rising requires absolute focus on the part of the one performing the ritual," said Edelgard. "That would mean Aelfric would need a place where he is unlikely to be disturbed."
"Well, that could be a lot of places," said Sylvain.
"Maybe we should hear some of your ideas, Sylvain," Ingrid said crossly. "No doubt you have a lot of spots where you take girls for some privacy."
"What? Ingrid, I'm all for a good joke, but is now really the time?"
"Maybe we should head to the dining hall," said Raphael as he nursed a bump on his head from the previous battle.
"The dining hall?" Lysithea asked incredulously. "Why in the world would he try to perform a magical ritual there?"
"Oh, we're talking about where Aelfric is? Nah, nah, I was just thinking we ought to get some grub. I'm starving."
"Now isn't the time to be thinking about food, Raphael," Ignatz said in exasperation.
"Y-Yeah, you're right. Sorry."
"I still can't believe Yuri is helping Aelfric do this," said Ashe.
"Yeah, I mean, isn't his blood needed for this ritual too?" asked Hilda. "Why would he help Aelfric out if it could kill him?"
"Could be he's being blackmailed," said Anna.
"Black mail? What do armor or letters have doing with – err, have to do with this?" said Petra.
"It means that Aelfric must have done something that's forcing Yuri to do what he wants. Of course, that's just me guessing."
"Honestly, Anna, that's a good guess," said Claude.
"Yuri, why would you do this?" Bernadetta sobbed. "You were so nice when we were…" Unable to finish, Bernadetta starting bawling.
"Bernadetta?" Edelgard asked with concern.
Dorothea sat down and placed her hands on Bernadetta's shoulders, which prompted the girl to bury her face in the singer's bountiful bosom.
"Oh, Bern…" Dorothea said as she tried to assure her.
"Is there something about Yuri that you are not telling us, Bernadetta?" said Hubert.
Bernadetta was unable to reply through her sobs, so Dorothea said, "Bernadetta and Yuri met a long time ago as children. At the time, he was the assistant to the gardener at House Varley. But when Count Varley found out about Yuri, he tried to kill him.
"Wait, your dad did that just because you were friends with him?!" Caspar said in shock.
"I am not surprised," said Hubert. "Count Varley has always despised those of common birth."
It was then that the discussion was broken up by Ingrid shouting at Sylvain, "Sylvain, can't you think of anything beyond the next skirt you plan to chase?! Constance and Hapi are our friends, not just someone for you to ogle!"
"Hey, I'm worried about them too, Ingrid!" said Sylvain.
"Sure, you are," Ingrid said sarcastically. "You're probably just worried that if they die, you won't get the chance to date them."
"Do you really think so little of me, Ingrid?!"
As the others looked on at them in exasperation and worry, Dorothea's mind suddenly clicked at something Ingrid had said.
"Wait a second…" Dorothea said as she released her grip on Bernadetta and stood up.
"Dorothea?" asked Dimitri.
"He was trying to tell us something."
"Who are you referring to, Dorothea?" asked Ferdinand.
"Yuri. I thought he was just flirting with me last night, but he… he was telling me and Professor Byleth where to find him."
"You know where they have gone?" asked Lorenz.
"Where is it?" asked Annette.
"Perhaps you should explain what happened last night, Dorothea," said Edelgard.
"Well, I was having a late-night stroll when I ran into Yuri and he asked me out on a date."
"A… date?" Hilda said in confusion.
"I know, it sounds silly, but what he said next was what really puzzled me. He said he wanted me to meet him outside the Holy Mausoleum, and that I had to come after midnight, and not a second earlier."
"The Holy Mausoleum?" Edelgard said incredulously. "It has been under heavy guard ever since the attack that took place during the Goddess' Rite of Rebirth."
"Well, that's what he said to me."
"How are you so sure that was meant to be some kind of message?" asked Lysithea.
"Because he asked Professor Byleth to meet him there too. She told me he made the same offer to her before he made it to me."
"Whoa, Yuri's got game," Sylvain said jokingly.
"I'm certain that Yuri had his reasons for setting up this meeting," said Dimitri. "He took the time to speak with the two of you, however cryptically, before he left."
"A fair point, Your Highness," said Dedue.
"I do wonder why he told you it needed to be after midnight," said Edelgard. "Wouldn't it be better to rush to their aid immediately?"
"That would be the most prudent course of action in this situation," said Hubert. "But perhaps there is something we do not know that calls for such a delayed rescue."
"Yuri's no fool," said Claude. "There's a method to his madness…"
"Well, if we think they're there, we should get ourselves over to the cathedral," said Dorothea.
"I agree," said Flayn. "We must ensure the safety of the Professor and the Ashen Wolves."
The other students gave nods of agreement at this and began to make their way over toward the bridge to the cathedral.
But just as Anna was about to follow behind them, a voice caught her attention.
"Miss Anna? May I have a word with you?" said Rhea.
"Lady Rhea? What's this about?" Anna asked before realizing her lack of manners.
"I need you to head into the village and locate Jeralt."
"Jeralt? Isn't he out on an investigation?"
"He returned today to deliver a report from his investigation and then, as I understand it, went to a local tavern."
"Heh, sounds like him. Always likes to get himself a few pints after a mission."
"If Professor Eisner is Aelfric's prisoner, then I fear only Jeralt is capable of stopping him. Jeralt has known Aelfric from even before Byleth's birth."
"Yeah, that was before I met him. But why ask me to do this? Couldn't Alois or Seteth find him?"
"I fear they may not be quick enough to locate him. But you know Jeralt very well, longer than I suspect you let others believe. And I suspect he will need you beside him to confront Aelfric."
"Umm, okay…"
Seeing Anna was hesitant, Rhea then said, "Please… Do this for us all, Annabelle Sharene Ernest."
Anna made a loud choking gasp at hearing her full name from Rhea's lips.
"How do you know my…"
Rhea said nothing as she looked Anna in the eye, leaving the merchant silent.
Anna then made an exasperated smirk as she said, "You're sharper than I thought, Lady Rhea. To think you knew that much about me." Anna then smiled and said more seriously, "Alright, you got it. I'll find Jeralt as quick as I can."
"Thank you, Anna," Rhea said with a smile, prompting the redhead to dash off.
…
Dorothea nursed her sore left arm as the students stood outside the entrance to the Holy Mausoleum. The guards that had been stationed there had been found unconscious, propped up against the walls to make it look like they were still on duty. It left them without any doubts as to Aelfric's hiding place.
Now all they had to do was wait for midnight. Understandably, this left everyone on edge, and several of them did not want to wait.
"Dorothea? Are you sure we should be waiting here?" asked Edelgard. The princess was holding the Sword of the Creator in her hands. Thankfully, the sword had not reacted to her.
"Yuri said not to come down before midnight," said Dorothea. "There has to be a good reason for that."
She then looked back and saw the looks on the other students' faces. They were all beset with worry over Byleth's safety.
She then said, "Hey, guys, think about it. It's not just Yuri and the Ashen Wolves we're hoping to save here. It's Professor Byleth too. We've put so much faith in her these past six months, so we can't let her down now!"
The students, stirred by Dorothea's words, all began to voice their agreement, prompting a smile from Edelgard as she looked at her close friend.
Then, a gruff voice of authority said, "I'm glad you all think so highly of my daughter."
Surprised, the students turned to see Jeralt and Anna walking up to them.
"Captain Jeralt!" Leonie said enthusiastically.
"Sir Jeralt, why are you here?" asked Dimitri.
"Anna told me the situation," said Jeralt. "If Aelfric's holding Byleth as his hostage, then he's got a lot to answer for."
"Yeah," said Anna. "If he's harmed a hair on By's head, he'll be in for a world of hurt."
"Wait, does this mean Sir Jeralt's going to be leading us?" Bernadetta asked with a hint of concern.
"That's the idea," said Jeralt. "I'm sure Byleth's been teaching you all very well, but I taught her just about everything she knows about tactics."
As the students were left fired up and ready to go, Jeralt began to outline his battle plan.
I'll bet you're all more curious about Anna now, aren't you? Well, you'll have to wait until the next Moon in order for her backstory to get the spotlight.
When Cindered Shadows was made, I was honestly disappointed by the lack of Jeralt's presence. Maybe IS thought his involvement would be too big a can of worms or something. Well, now I plan to change that!
These next parts are going to be tricky for me to navigate, so wish me luck.