Chapter 10: A Combined Effort
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Growing up on the road meant that Balaiya had been to many places all across Fódlan, but that also meant a lot of walking. Normally that wasn't a problem, she would take the time to observe the tiny flowers that peppered the roadside. Or birdwatch with her brother and father. Even when at times where they were pressed for time during a mission, everything was always a get to point a to point b by the scheduled date type of mission.
This was entirely different.
Her entire class seemed to be holding their breath. They had been on the road for days, and hardly a meaningful conversation had broken the tense silence that hung over everyone's head. On the bright side— if it could even be called that— they had covered a lot of ground. They would reach Castle Gaspard sooner than expected. Potentially, even meet up with the Blue Lions while on the road, and arrive there together. However, she was also concerned about the overall morale of the students, this was a decidedly more difficult mission than their last official one..
They were worried.
She was worried.
Catherine was nice, and made for pleasant company but she was ahead of the group with the other knights. There hadn't been much time for conversation since Balaiya had thought it best she watched the back of the group. She made sure the students all traveled in front of her, but after so long the atmosphere was starting to grind on her nerves. No doubt her students were also tethering on some sort of edge.
She had been trying to think of a way to distract everyone so they wouldn't really have time to think about the implications of failing the mission. Yet no matter how hard she tried she couldn't think of a way to brighten their spirits. She'd considered another game of some sort but she didn't think it would be appropriate. Plus she didn't think she was very imaginative.
She swiped up a small acorn from the ground, and scanned the group in front of her. When she found her target she flicked the small but hard seed into the back of his neck.
Claude flinched, and his hand flew to his neck, he glanced around and seemed to nearly give up on looking for the perpetrator until he turned around, and made eye contact with her. She gave a slight nod to her side.
He arched a brow, and turned back around but over the next few moments slowly fell back till he was walking right beside her.
"You've summoned me?~" He smirked.
She narrowed her eyes at him but she felt the corner of her mouth twitch up. "I need a favor…"
"In need of a scheme, Teach?"
"Yes, actually."
Both his brows shot up. "Oh?" He grinned. "I'm all ears."
Already, she could feel his excitement buikbuil.
She shook her head. "It's too quiet. I've never seen the class like this. Could you um…"
Understanding seemed to cross his face, and he nodded. "Gotcha." He winked, and weaved his way to the front of their group.
She frowned, and reached for his arm but he ducked out of her grasp. "Wait I don't even know what you're— ugh."
He faced her, smirk still on his face, mouthing 'Don't worry, Teach'
Clearing his throat dramatically, he clapped his hands together. "Listen up my little fawns, your amazing house leader has an announcement."
She couldn't help the small smile that formed on her lips, but at the same time she was a tad nervous. She had no idea what he was going to say or do.
There was a collective groan that bubbled up from the students. Lysithea being the first to voice her distaste, per usual.
"Ugh, really Claude? Fawns? That's so… so."
"Cringy?" Leonie offered.
"Precisely!" Lysithea exclaimed.
"I don't know guys, I think it's cute." Hilda said.
Claude grinned and nudged the pinkette's shoulder. "That's it! Hilda's got the right idea."
Hilda giggled, and shook her head. "Oh, but we are far from your fawns."
Claude gasped, and placed his hand on his chest. "Hilda! How could you?"
"Please, it only makes sense that we'd be the Professor's fawns. If at all." She turned to Sylvain. "Right?"
He laughed, and reached his arms behind his head. "I dunno Hilda. Maybe for you guys, but I'm more of a handsomely powerful-"
"Buck?" Raphael asked.
Hilda giggled. "Yeah, one that likes to Fu-"
Balaiya stepped forward. "Ok! I think that's enough. Um, what announcement were you trying to make Claude?" She turned to look at him expectantly.
He smirked coly. "Oh, I just wanted to remind everyone about the pop quiz you had in mind, right Teach?"
She frowned slightly and narrowed her eyes at him. She spoke through her teeth. "Oh, right. I was going to wait for a better time, but I suppose I could do it now."
There was a chorus of various complaints, and groans from the students. Sylvain shook his head at Claude, and swung his arm around his shoulder.
"Aw, c'mon. I expected Dimitri to pull something like that but you? You just had to be that guy huh?"
Claude laughed out and brushed Sylvain's arm off with surprising ease. "Oh Sylvain, you don't have to take part in it if you don't think you can. Though a little extra credit never hurt anyone. He turned his gaze back over to Balaiya. "Wouldn't you agree, Teach?"
She raised her eyebrows. Bold of him to assume she even had a pop quiz or any such quiz prepared for them. Even bolder still to assume that after she did come up with what to quiz the students with on the fly that she'd give it to them as extra credit!
She pulled out her journal, and busied herself with flipping through her notes. "It's okay if you think you don't need the points Sylvain. I'm not forcing you to take it."
"What? No no I can take it!" He insisted.
"If we get one wrong does it count?" Raphael asked.
"Nope, it won't count against you." She answered.
"How are we going to do this without paper?" Lysithea asked.
"Um, I'll just ask the questions, then I'll go around to each of you, and you'll tell me your answer." She sent aglarea at Claude, he only smirked again, "If it's right then you get the point. If it isn't then you just won't get anything." She looked around and found all of her students waiting patiently. She sighed and clapped her hands together. "Alright, first question: Assuming the skill levels are generally the same for the fighters. If your opponent is facing off against you wielding an axe and the only weapon you have on you is a sword. What is the best way that you can go about defeating your attacker?" She observed the group for a moment while they pondered over her question.
After a few moments of listening to everyone's response and taking down who said what she cleared her throat. "Alright, you guys all did pretty well. I'm going to give everyone that point, I'll just go over some basics as a review. Some of which many of you said anyway. So, in general a sword has the advantage when faced off against an axe however, the rules get a bit murky if the axe in question is a battle axe or a halberd. We'll stick with the basic forms of these weapons. As a swordsman you have a variety of options on how to best your opponent, the quickest option at your disposal is taking them out with a thrust or jab."
Sylvain smirked, and leaned over to whisper something to Claude the moment she said thrust.
Balaiya rolled her eyes and unsheathed her sword, she took a step forward and thrust the blade towards Sylvain's face, a strand of his hair fluttered to the ground. "Pay attention." She narrowed her eyes.
Sylvain paled considerably, his eyes crossing so he could look at the blade pointed precariously at his nose. "Y-Yes Professor." He stammered.
Claude snickered at his side, and she turned the blade toward him. The blade sliced the air right in front of his nose. Much to her annoyance he hardly flinched, and merely smirked, his eyes locked on her own as if she wasn't pointing a weapon at his face. As if he knew she wasn't really going to hurt him, as if he was daring her to try…
…The scoundrel.
She huffed, and turned away just as she heard movement from her right. A few meters away sure saw her brother, and his class approaching. Relief washed over her, his presence meant they were close to their destination. She also hoped the new company would help inspire conversation among the students. She didn't know how long she could improvise.
"Ingrid!, Felix!" Sylvain exclaimed, and ran over to them. Unfortunately for him, however, the two saw it more fitting to knock him to the ground.
Balaiya wince when he fell, and hurried over to the group.
"You idiot, you can't just run toward someone in a war zone like this!" Ingrid scoffed. "We could have been imposters!"
"Aw, c'mon Ingrid. No one can replicate those beautiful golden locks of yours!" Sylvain winked from his place on the ground which decidedly was not a good idea because Ingrid hit him in the chest with the pommel of her lance.
Sylvain coughed, and groaned, his hand moved to rub at the sore spot.
"Idiot." She rolled her eyes, and stepped over him.
Felix didn't even have the courtesy to do that and stepped on Sylvain as he walked past. His foot smashing into the poor guys rib cage, and crushing his fingers with far more force than was required for a normal step.
Sylvain wheezed as the air was smashed out of his lungs. "Hel-oof ow! Hello to you too Felix." He groaned, and rolled to his side to cough, cradling his hand in the other.
"Felix, that wasn't necessary." Dimitri scolded, and gave Sylvain a sympathetic look.
"I don't recall asking for your opinion boar." Felix snapped.
Right before Balaiya got to Sylvain to check on him Mercedes knelt by his side, brushing a lock of her hair behind her ear. "Oh my, are you alright Sylvain?"
"I'm so much better now that you are here Mercedes, have you been sent by the goddess herself to take my pain away?"
Mercedes giggled behind her hand. "Oh, do you say that to every girl that comes your way to heal you?" Despite that she still placed her hand over his chest, the gentle glow of healing magic pulsing to life on her fingertips.
"What? Haha. Mercedes. Why would I—"
Next she gently took his hand in both her own. "Sure, sure. You might want to quiet down for at least a few minutes."
Balaiya shook her head, and moved over to greet her brother, Mercedes was just too sweet. "Hello Leth, I hope everything went well on your previous mission?" She glanced him over to make sure he wasn't injured.
"Yes, everything went well. The students have been eager to meet up with your class. I hope everything continues to go well. How about you"
"We're all good, just…" she sighed, "...anxious."
"There she is!"
She turned in surprise towards the sudden enthusiastic bellow to find none other than Alois walking towards her with purpose.
"I'm quite eager to fight by your side." Alois stopped beside the both of them.
"Yeah, he's been so eager about it that he hasn't stopped raving about it." Byleth mumbled to her.
"To fight alongside the Ashen Demons?Together? Children of the Blade Breaker? Of course I'm excited. I missed my opportunity back in Remire. Besides! It gets even better because the amazing Catherine is also here!"
Catherine walked over to them, no doubt having heard her name being bellowed. "What's all the fuss about?"
"Oh, we're just honored to be working with such a brave, and distinguished knight." Dimitri chimed in.
"It'd be great if we could see Thunderbrand in action…" Claude said at her side.
Balaiya glanced at her brother then at Catherine. "Thunderbrand?"
"You mean you don't know?" Catherine asked, surprised. "My weapon is called Thunderbrand. It's one of the Heroes Relics. A long, long time ago, the goddess bestowed Divine weapons upon ten heroes, which were passed down to their descendants. It's an honor to wield but I'm afraid there won't be any time for that today. It mission is to help clean up the aftermath, not to fight. We also have to keep an eye out for your missing lamb."
Alois rubbed the back of his neck. "Oh right. Forgive me I got carried away…"
"It's fine, we should get moving though. I don't want to waste anymore time." Catherine said.
They moved to regroup the students, and continued toward their destination. Though the further they walked up the path the harder it got to see their surroundings. A thick layer of fog had descended on their heads, like a blanket of smoke. Except this was cold, and denser somehow. Concern was beginning to claw at the corner of Balaiya's mind and she surveyed the area for the upteenth time. At her side she could see her brother, just ahead of them were a few knights, no doubt following Catherine, and the backs of Dimitri and Dedue. Just behind her was Alois with Raphael on one side and Ingrid on the other. No one else was visible.
"Leth, stay here. I'm going to do a quick headcount."
"Be careful." He said.
She nodded, and started walking towards the back of the group. She spotted Ignatz, Leonie, and Lorenz walking together and made sure they were alright before she moved on.
"...And sometimes, when the weather is just like it is now actually… you can still hear the soft footsteps of her spirit wandering around. Endlessly searching for h-"
"Are you guys doing alright?" Balaiya asked as she stepped into their field of view.
She was greeted with a terrified scream, and a ball of magic flying for her face. She ducked quickly, just barely managing to not get hit in the face.
"Oh no! I'm so sorry Professor!" Lysithea squealed.
Mercedes stepped forward. "Oh no that's my fault… I was telling them a story."
"A ghost story!" Lysithea nearly shrieked.
"Please quiet down, were getting close." Balaiya said with a frown. She glanced over their group quickly, Mercedes, Lysithea, Annette, Sylvain, Claude, and Hilda. Everyone was accounted for.
"Bala, are you okay? Where did that shot come from?" Byleth asked as he rushed to her side.
"I'm fine Leth, just um some friendly fire." She assured him.
"Hmph, well possibly not for long, we've arrived on the outer edge of the territory. Catherine wants us to regroup. We might have a problem."
She nodded, and turned to the rest of the students. "You heard him, everyone move up to the middle of the group. Stay close to each other."
The students complied quickly, and quickened their pace up the path until everyone was huddled in a large group. After triple checking that everyone was present Balaiya moved up to the small circle her brother stood in with Catherine, Alois and Dimitri. As she joined the group Claude ran over to stand by her side.
"I've received a report from a scout, turns out a portion of Lonato's army got through the front line. They've used the fog as cover."
"Which means we have to prepare for battle." Alois said sternly.
Balaiya frowned. She had really wanted to avoid this outcome, but some things are inevitable.
'Just be sure to pay attention this time! You can withstand more uses of my power if it is used in small amounts.' Sothis said in her mind.
Balaiya nodded to herself in response. "Wait, what about Ashe? We can't forget that we have to find him too."
Catherine crossed her arms. "I'm sorry but due to the situation he has become a secondary priority. Lonato has mobilized his troops against us and so we must retaliate. If they do not stand down we must take them out."
"You are asking us to force our students to kill them?" Balaiya asked, her frown deepening.
"You knew this was a possibility before we set out for this mission, don't tell me you are backing down now?" Catherine said.
Balaiya bristled. It wasn't that she was backing down. Far from it actually. She was just concerned for her students. Sure she herself tried her best to pacify her brother on his unease over sending students into a war zone, but that didn't mean she was okay with the matter either. If she could find a way to prevent her students from taking a life then she absolutely would, even if it would happen eventually. Even more so if it meant preventing them from fighting against a comrade, though she hoped that Ashe would not be among the enemy lines. One could never tell. She couldn't see the future, only change what has been done but how much she herself was still uncertain.
Her Brother turned and began giving orders to the students, with a fog this dense it would be suicide to split up to look for their missing comrade. At the very least she didn't have to worry about a repeat of Zanado. Creeping forward through the fog was their best option and torches would only serve to give their position away. Better to leave both sides in the dark than become a beacon in exchange for a little extra viewing distance. Their opponent had the advantage of knowing the terrain, that meant that even with their vision obscured by the fog, they still had the advantage. Which made the knights and the students at a terrible disadvantage.
Balaiya sighed and unsheathed her sword. How would students like Marianne react to having to take a life? She was such a gentle person… did the monastery even offer counseling services? She felt ashamed for not knowing the answer to that. The enemies they faced now weren't just some bandits, they were trained fighters… weren't they? Some of them possibly even former knights, or knights of Castle Gaspard. That's what she was told at least. She tightened her grip on her sword till her knuckles turned white.
Suddenly she felt some rather cold fingers curl around her wrist and squeeze her gently, she was surprised at how relaxed she was when she looked over her shoulder to find Claude watching her carefully. Had he noticed her unease? Or was he nervous? She felt like he was trying to reassure hermore than anything, and she was the teacher! She nodded once but she still wasn't sure if she was checking if he was alright or confirming to him that she herself was. Either way he released her and readied his bow. Balaiya felt a chill crawl up her arm when he let go, silently observing the small goose bumps on her skin. She normally wasn't sensitive to the cold, but he had mentioned that he was. Could that sudden difference be why her skin reacted that way?
"Everyone be careful! The enemy could be trying to surround us, but they shouldn't have enough soldiers to form a tight circle." She looked back at Byleth. "We're lucky your class came along after all. The more people we have on our side the better of course. Take down anyone that breaks through the fog and let's push through!"
Claude spoke up before Catherine had a chance to push the front line. "Catherine, even though the conditions are the same for both sides, we're at a disadvantage for not knowing the terrain."
"Yes, I know. Proceed with caution! Just wait for them to enter your field of view and you guys should be fine."
Balaiya sighed and moved forward cautiously, she silently motioned for the students to stay a good ways away from Catherine. Her sword was glowing eerily after all. She might as well be yelling out into the fog her position. A few heavy moments of silence weighed down on their heads before the thud of boots hitting the ground were suddenly screaming in her ears before they came to a deafening halt.
A lightly armored man brandished an axe toward their group. "Lord Lonato doesn't deserve such sadness and anger… Now it's your turn to suffer!" He ran forward quickly, his lips pressed into a thin line.
In the time it took for her to react Claude was already moving in front of her sword in hand. When he'd had the time to switch his active weapons she had no idea but he no doubt made good use of his childhood training. The man raised his arms to strike and Claude stepped into the man's space. Much similar to what her father had done to her and her brother during training just a few weeks ago. In the same moment he thrust the point of the sword into the man's shoulder before he could come down from his arc with his man released the axe with a shout and Claude swung his elbow into the side of the man's head. He fell on his back like a rock.
"Suffer? I wonder what exactly he had in mind by that." Claude mumbled and picked up the man's axe. "Can't have him returning to the fray if he wakes up and we're still here."
Balaiya released a sigh of relief, but then irritation flooded her veins. She stepped over to him, speaking through her teeth. "Claude!" She placed her hand on his shoulder and turned him around. "What was that?"
He rose a brow at her. "What was what?"
"You just…I didn't tell you to do that."
"Did I do something wrong, Teach?" He tilted his head.
She pursed her lips. "Well, no… just… wait for my signal okay? I need you to be safe. It's my job to make sure you're safe."
Something in his eyes hardened. "Who's going to make sure you're safe?"
Before she could respond he fell back and another enemy burst through the fog.
"Did you think we're just gonna do nothing while you try and kill our Lord!?" He knocked an arrow and shot it an instant later.
Catherine swung Thunderbrand and sliced the arrow in two. She continued charging forward till the man met a similar fate. He fell with an empty thud, a gash deep in his chest and a look of shock frozen on his face.
Catherine apparently had no mercy for those that stood against her.
Balaiya frowned, why did that bother her so?
She shook her head and grit her teeth, it was about time she stop letting her mind wander and get focused on the fight. Least something terrible happen. A few of the knights had already engaged the front lines, but there was a lot of ground to cover and they had no real idea how many enemies there were. They needed a tighter defense and as much as Balaiya wished she could take on every enemy herself. She couldn't. At least not in these conditions. She moved over to her brother.
"Leth, what do you think is the best option?"
"There's no logical reason to avoid it… I'm going to have Dimitri, Dedue and Felix join Alois in pushing the front lines with us."
"Then I'll have Sylvain, Raphael and Leonie back us up."
"We'll have to just go from there." He said quietly and readied his sword.
They pushed through the fog painstakingly slow. Her brother had stayed within sight and together the took down quite a few enemies. Everything was moving along steadily until she felt her brother yank her to the side and a flash of metal flew over her shoulder. Balaiya felt the muscles in her neck strain painfully when she whipped her head around to see what it was.
She turned around just in time to see an arrow hit Annette right in the middle of her clavicle. The sickening crack that resounded stirred the bile in Balaiya's stomach.
Annette's large eyes widened into saucers and she stumbled forward, her hands frantically grasping at the arrow. She tripped and nearly fell but Felix caught her and shoved her into a sitting position.
"You idiot! Don't rip it out!" He slapped her hands away.
Balaiya ran over to the girl. "Are you alright Annette did y-" She gasped quietly when she saw the blood that stained her lips and teeth when she tried to speak. Balaiya grit her teeth and willed Sothis's power forward.
This time she was able to keep her breath but intense chills of heat, and cold assaulted her skin and she felt horribly dizzy before once again her vision momentarily turned black.
/\/\/\/\/\
Byleth noticed the arrow's gleam too late to verbally warn his sister so he reached out to grab her, but strangely, she wasn't there. An eerie chill ran down his spine and he frowned 'This happened already!' He looked around quickly and saw Balaiya running ahead, her dagger already unsheathed.
"Not this time!" She muttered behind grit teeth. She threw the dagger into the fog and it sliced the arrow in half. The dagger hit a tree and embedded itself in the trunk. All in the same breath she jumped and her foot smashed into the enemy archers face.
Byleth's brow furrowed and he ran over to retrieve her dagger before moving to her side. "Bala what happened?" He looked down at the unconscious man. "Did he…"
She nodded. "He did."
"And you…"
"I did." She grabbed her dagger from him and stood up.
Byleth sighed and bent down to tie the man up. "You know, we can't spare everyone."
"I know." She rubbed her arms briskly.
Byleth glanced over her, she definitely seemed shakey on her feet. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." She gave a stiff nod in encouragement and turned over to where Claude stood a few meters away. Before she could even say his name he was already on his way over, his brows furrowed.
"Are you alright Teach?" His eyes scanned her over quickly and he nearly reached for her but seemed to think better of it and retracted his hand.
Byleth wasn't sure if it was due to the glare he sent his way or not.
"I'm fine Claude. I need you and Ignatz to keep an eye out for any ranged attacks coming our way." She bit her lip and shoved some extra arrows on his back. "Don't hesitate."
He nodded slowly. "Got it."
"Be careful. Fall back if necessary. If you don't…" She waved her fist in his face.
He smirked and gave her a salute before he drew his bow, and ran over to Ignatz. Presumably to give him her instructions.
"Bala, how are you feeling?" Byleth asked once he was gone. He spotted a lance in the dirt, most likely from a fallen soldier. He swiped it up and strapped it to his back.
"I'm fine. I can still fight." She checked over her equipment swiftly and nodded to herself. "Let's go."
Byleth pursed his lips but continued beside her through the fog. Periodically he would spare a glance her way to make sure she was still steady on her feet. Though direct words had not been exchanged he knew exactly what had happened.
She'd turned back time again.
He recognized the feeling, the strange and chilling sense of deja vu that had haunted him twice before already. Though he knew that someone had potentially been killed he wasn't sure who. Could medical attention have been enough to save them? If it had then surely Bala would have gotten them to a healer instead right? Byleth sighed internally and dodged a strike from another emerging enemy. There was no use worrying over it. He took his opponent down swiftly. He couldn't change what his sister had done. Only warn her. Whether or not she would heed his advice was another thing.
Progress slowly started to resume but a scuffle up ahead caught his attention and he ripped his focus out of the battle.
"What do you think you're doing Ashe?" Ingrid's voice rose shrilly. "Why would you run off like that?!"
"I-Ingrid I just… you-"
"No! I don't want to hear any excuses."
Byleth arrived to find Ashe on the ground with a gash in his arm and Ingrid with a broken bow beneath her boot.
"You shot at me! How could you? We thought you were in danger!" She ground her foot harder into the shattered bow. "You've betrayed us? I thought you wanted to become a knight!"
Dimitri stepped between them. "Ingrid please. Calm yourself. Now is not the time for this."
Ingrid's voice wavered. "Your Highness please, don't show your back to t-the enemy!"
"He wants to get stabbed in the back." Felix muttered, as he walked over. There was blood smeared on his sword. He didn't seem bothered and simply looked around in disgust. "Ugh, why am I even here? To babysit you guys? Obviously he's turned traitor and-"
"Enough Felix." Byleth said, voice stern. He turned to Dimitri and motioned for him to stand aside. "
By this time Ashe had returned to his feet but was now standing with his arms up in surrender. "Professor? Please l-let me explain!"
"Go on."
Ashe frowned. "Please Professor I di- What?"
"Start explaining." Byleth said simply, crossing his arms.
Ashe's lip trembled and he started fidgeting with his hands. "I was… I wanted to…Lonato he-."
Balaiya ran over and grabbed Ashe by the shoulders. "There you are! we've been so worried about you." She released him and turned to everyone. "Let's fall back for a moment. It won't be a good idea to talk up here anyway. Besides, we need to address that wound."
Byleth made sure the students were gathered in front of him before he started to move back himself, Considering how the fog was still hindering their vision it wouldn't be good if any of the students ventured too far away from the rest of the group.
When he had caught up with his sister she was just finishing up shooing away most of the students from bombarding Ashe with their own rush of questions and demands. All except Claude and Dimitri had backed away. Catherine had come to join them and didn't seem shy about pointing Thunderbrand in Ashe's face. Judging by the way she was standing Balaiya looked just a few moments away from withdrawing her own weapon. That couldn't be good.
Claude stepped between Catherine and Balaiya. "Hey, the guys already been disarmed, why don't we give him a chance to speak? If we can handle this like civilized people I know we are, no one has to get hurt." He crossed his arms and looked over to where Balaiya stood. "Wouldn't you agree, Teach?"
Balaiya nodded and nudged Ashe away. "I'll take responsibility for his actions Catherine. Don't hurt him."
Byleth frowned. "Bala, wait a moment. You don't know what the consequences are for anything he may or may not have done yet."
"I don't want to think of him as a criminal." Dimitri said with a frown. "Perhaps if he can give us information on what is going on here then he won't have to face any punishment or at least any major punishment?'
Catherine sighed and withdrew her blade but kept it in her hand. "Very well, we can sort out the major details later. For now Ashe. Tell us something useful."
Ashe smoothed out his shirt and cleared his throat. "U-um, the fog here isn't a natural fog… It's a result of a spell done by a dark mage. He's a commander for my father's army… Many of the fighters here are villagers too! They're not all knights."
Byleth grimaced. Lonato had villagers mixed in with his army after all? That wasn't what he had been briefed on…
Catherine finally put Thunderbrand away for now. News of the mixed army didn't seem to phase her. "Really? So I'm assuming if we take out that mage then the spell should dissipate?"
Ashe nodded. "Yes."
"Perfect. I can't exactly arrest you in our current situation, but Professor Balaiya has offered to take responsibility for you. I'm assuming you will watch him as well then?" Catherine said and looked over at Balaiya.
She nodded. "I will."
Byleth didn't like her willingness to take the blame for Ashe, no one really knew why he had left and Ashe could cite any reason in a pinch to get himself out of a bind. Byleth looked over at Ashe's slouched form. He didn't look threatening. In fact, he knew he wasn't a threat and he wanted to give the younger man the benefit of the doubt. Yet too many times did he see someone deceive others in order to try and bend a situation in their favor. And if his sister was going to offer him her protection then he felt obligated to watch her back, no matter how much he'd wanted to fight for Ashe's innocence as well.
"Ashe, I'm sorry if this sounds insensitive but did Lord Lonato mention anything about why he is doing this?" Dimitri asked.
Ashe looked down and shook his head. "No, I'm sorry. I feel so useless too! I've troubled everyone so much only to come out of it with no information! I begged him to tell me but he refused to say anything… then I grew worried for the safety of my younger siblings." He clenched his fist. "He told me if I participated in this battle then he would explain everything to me after we won… I had no idea that we were going to be fighting you guys! Though I am Lonato's adopted son… he raised me as if I were his own blood. He was always so kind. I don't understand… I guess it has to do with Christophe."
Catherine nodded. "Hm, that could be it."
Balaiya tilted her head. "Who's Christophe?"
"He's… well. How much do you know about the tragedy of Duscar Professor?" Catherine asked her.
By his side Byleth noticed Dimitri tense.
"I've not heard too much about it actually." Balaiya answered.
Byleth frowned and stepped forward. "Catherine, I don't think that th-"
Catherine didn't seem to take notice at his objection. "It's when the King of the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus was… was murdered by the people of Duscar. It happened almost four years ago."
Claude stepped in. "Uh, Catherine I agree with the Professor. Perhaps this information isn't necessary…"
Dimitri shook his head. "No, is ok. Thank you Professor, Claude for your sensitivity on the matter, but… it should be said." He gestured to Catherine. "Please go on."
Byleth shared a wary look with Claude, though he wasn't aware of how much the Golden Deer leader knew about the subject it seemed he shared his unease about Catherine speaking so casually about the incident. Even though it was four years ago by this point. It didn't sit right with him.
Catherine continued though Byleth wasn't sure if the look of remorse on her face was truthful or not. "Right. Well. Lord Lonato's son, Christophe was accused of being involved in that whole awful affair. He was executed by the church."
Byleth frowned. "The church executes criminals?"
"Speaking from the Church's Perspective," Catherine continued, "we simply pass judgment according to our doctrine in place of the Kingdom, which was in complete chaos."
"Why was the King targeted?" Balaiya asked quietly.
Dimitri closed his eyes and hung his head but looked back up with a ghost of a smile on his face when Claude placed his hand on his shoulder.
"King Lambert was attempting a major political reform. Needless to say, he had many enemies." Catherine finished.
This was the first time Byleth was hearing someone else speak in any detail of the incident, and something stuck out to him that he didn't like. It was the choice of words that Catherine had used to describe what happened to Christophe, she had said accused not convicted. He decided to call her out on it.
"Catherine, how do you even know if Christophe really deserved his punishment? You said it yourself, he was accused. Was he ever properly convicted of his crime?" Byleth asked.
Catherine crossed her arms. "Whatever the truth behind the incident may be, Lord Lonato has harbored resentment towards the church ever since." She sighed and looked to the side, her face falling to something filled with concern or worry… possibly even shame. "Well… To be more specific, his grudge isn't only against the church. It's again against the one who turned Christophe over to them."
Alois ran over to their small group. "The enemy is advancing again! It looks like reinforcements may have joined them!"
Catherine unsheathed her sword. "Alright break time is over! We must search for this dark mage!" She looked at Ashe. "You better be telling the truth." Without another word she rushed forward, Alois on her heels, though he was falling behind steadily.
It didn't take too long for the rush of battle to surround his senses again but he made sure to keep an eye on his sister throughout most of it. Though as the minutes sped along he was increasingly more concerned with how Ashe was doing. Not long after they had started fighting again Byleth noticed his sister give Ashe a sword to wield. He would have protested if only to stay on the side of caution but a small voice in his head told him to leave it alone, though if that was his own thoughts or the words of Sothis he wasn't sure.
He didn't have to look very hard to know that Ashe was struggling, his bottom lip was constantly tapped between his teeth and his arm shook whenever he held up his blade. Byleth wanted to help him but in the heat of battle, his choices were limited.
Dimitri's sudden alarmed voice caught his attention and he spun around to see what was going on.
"Claude watch it!" Dimitri grabbed Claude by the back of his collar and yanked him back and away from nearly being skewered by an enemy lance.
Unsurprisingly, Claude was tossed into the air from the urgent force Dimitri had used to move him. Claude adapted as if expecting it, with the gained height he loosed an arrow off into the fog, effectively cancelling out the glow of a spell no doubt aimed for one of the students. Before Claude landed Dimitri pierced the enemy lancer in the chest with his own lance. The unknown man fell dead on his back at the same time Claude's feet touched the ground.
Dimitri looked down at the man with a grim frown. "I know they are our enemies, but this never gets easier."
Claude knelt down and closed the man's eyes. "It's what we need to expect in times like these." He stood and stepped between Dimitri and the dead man. "It's good that you don't find killing easy. It means you're still human." He grinned but Byleth had a feeling it was an act. He just killed someone himself, he must also feel negatively about it himself. Shouldn't he?
Then again, the two seemed as if they had killed before, in Dimitri's case, he wasn't surprised. But for Claude? Whatever could he have been through that would require him to take a life prior to this event? Unless he was just that good at hiding behind falsities.
"Besides you've saved my life." Claude continued in a light tone. "Expect me to repay you swiftly. Can't have the Alliance heir owing the Kingdom a debt!"
Dimitri seemed to take the bait and an amused smile snuck on his face. "Nonsense Claude, it shouldn't cost anything to protect a friend."
Claude's eyebrows shot up in surprise but Byleth couldn't figure out why. Unfortunately neither of them could afford any more chatter and he moved over to them quickly.
"Don't forget we're in a way zone. There's no time for idle chatter." Byleth said with a frown. He looked over them briefly. "The two of you are alright? I saw what happened, that's impressive teamwork."
Claude grinned. "Do we get extra credit?~"
Dimitri gasped in disapproval. "Claude!"
Byleth deadpanned. "You're not even in any of my classes."
"What? I'm trying to help you out Dimitri." Claude shook his head.
Byleth crossed his arms. "You need to take this seriously Claude. This isn't the place for jokes."
"Believe me Professor, I'm well aware of the situation. We're in a battle, you could call it a war if you will…or a pointless extended execution where only the strong survive." He frowned deeply. "I'm well aware of the responsibility, and the consequences… it's the nobles that start the war, but it's the commoners that spill their blood first. Many may be forced to fight, many have little experience, many are not as privileged, many have never held a blade before. I'm not ignorant to that."
Byleth stared at him in surprise, he wasn't expecting his tone to shift so quickly nor was he expecting him to speak so seriously.
Movement at the corner of his vision dragged him away from the conversation. Balaiya ran passed them with her lips pressed into a thin line.
"Look sharp guys, the dark mage has been spotted!" She skidded to a stop in front of the hooded figure, her blade pointed at the ready. When she moved to strike the mage he dodged back and seemingly disappeared in the shadows of the trees surrounding him.
Byleth grit his teeth and rushed to his sister's side. He couldn't tell if the mage had simply hidden within the shadow and fog, or had somehow disappeared completely. Either way it didn't matter, he couldn't let her get ambushed.
As soon as he got to her he unhooked the lance from his back and lunged to his left. The mage of course had guards. The metal of the sharpened polearm slid off the side of an angled shield. From around the protection of the enemies guard, the gleam of a blade rushed for his chest. He wouldn't have enough time to block the attack so he moved to the side to dodge. Unfortunately his opponent seemed to have predicted his move and angled his sword to follow him.
Byleth held his breath to brace for the pain but was instead greeted with a spray of warm blood across his face. The man had been stabbed through the back, through his armor and right through the front of his chest in one go, by the only person who could achieve such a thing in their vicinity.
"I'm sorry… but did you really think you would get away with this?" Dimitri mumbled and ripped his lance free from its current… holster. "Are you alright Professor?" He asked as the man fell to the ground.
"I'm fine Dimitri. Do be careful yourself. The mage is around here." Byleth murmured as he surveyed the area.
"I won't let you anywhere near Lord Lonato!" The dark mage yelled as he reappeared, a deep purple light bursting from his fingertips.
His sister's voice yelled out to him urgently. "Leth! Move to the right!"
Instantly, Byleth dodged to the right but also threw his lance towards the mage. Seconds later a searing hot pulse of dark energy just barely touched the tip of his nose. Even though it was just a graze, waves of chills assaulted his body.
Balaiya flipped into the air to dodge another spell and kicked his lance towards where the mage had retreated to. When she landed the lance struck the mage in the face with a sickening crack and he hit the ground heavily. Almost instantly the fog surrounding them began to dissipate.
"It worked?" Dimitri whispered.
Byleth walked over to the mage and removed the lace. The gruesome scene that way left of his face didn't exactly make him feel uneasy, but out of consideration for his students he turned the mage on his stomach with his foot. "Bala, are you okay?" He asked.
She nodded, though she was rubbing her arm. "I'm fine. I'm glad the fog is gone."
Byleth inspected her arm but she angled herself away. "Did you get hit?"
"It's nothing. I see you did though." She murmured and poked his nose.
A sudden warmth shot through him and he rubbed his nose instinctively, it was pain free. His eyes widened. "How did you-"
"Perfect! The fog is gone!" Catherine yelled a few paces ahead. "Now we can properly handle these fools!"
Before he could finish his question Balaiya ran back into the fray to assist Hilda and Ignatz. The two house leaders also moved ahead of him.
Byleth wiped his lance in the grass and hurried after them. 'When did she learn how to heal?'
The lack of fog made it so much easier for him to push through the enemy lines and the students were obviously weaving though almost as easily. Despite that, Byleth still made sure they stayed in groups of at least three. It might have slowed their advance somewhat, but it was better than rushing unnecessarily.
An unfamiliar voice reached his ears and when Byleth saw who it belonged to it equally felt like it happened too quickly and not quick enough.
An older man who could only be Lord Lonato, what with the way his soldiers bowed their heads when he passed them, moved into the clearing. Byleth observed him silently, he was much older than he thought he was, it was certainly rare to see someone of his status on the battlefield. Nevertheless, he sat proudly on his warhorse with a grim expression burned into his face and a dark scowl in his eyes that bore into Catherine's head. The supposed 'kind' and 'gentle' man that had raised Ashe impossible to find in his stoic demander.
"It's you!" Lonato spat bitterly. "Thunderstrike Cassandra! It was your wretched zealotry that killed my son!"
Catherine scoffed and rose her blade. "The only name I answer to, is Catherine. Prepare to taste the blade of one who serves the goddess." She pointed her sword at him and it began to glow red. "Now you face a knight of Serios!"
Balaiya rushed forward, her own sword drawn but hung at her side. "Catherine, please. Don't kill him. We don't even know his side of the story."
"Professor, I'm surprised. You have such poor judgment! This man is an absolute traitor to the church!" Catherine shouted.
"Catherine wait, what if he surrenders?" Balaiya added urgently.
Catherine shook her head. "He won't." Before Balaiya could protest further she rushed Lord Lonato. Every swing of her sword made arcs of red shine through the air and though Byleth was occupied with some of Lonato's closest guards be did his best to keep an eye on the situation.
The whole field seemed to gasp in unison with how ruthlessly Catherine mowed down the two guards that flanked Lonato. And in the blink of an eye the field all lost their breath as Lonato's head rolled down the small hill and stopped right at Ashes feet.
All was silent save the scream of horror that cracked dry and painful from Ashe's throat. "L-Lonato!" He dropped his sword and fell to his knees, shaking horribly as he lifted his father's head in his hands.
Byleth felt bile rise in his throat and his chest tightened. Whatever be was feeling kept him rooted to the spot. His heartbeat was pounding loud in his ears but somehow he still managed to hear the choked and broken whisper that slipped from Ashe's lips.
"F-Father?"
He felt like someone hit his stomach with a broken pipe.
His head pounded painfully and he blinked.
.
.
"Catherine, please. Don't kill him. We don't even know his side of the story."
"Professor, I'm surprised. You have such poor judgment! This man is an absolute traitor to the church!"
"Catherine wait, what if he surrenders?"
Byleth looked between the two women with a frown. Why did this feel so familiar? It was as if it happened bef- his eyes widened and snapped towards his sister. She turned back time again! What was she trying to do this time? Who was she trying to save? Byleth grimaced, the more he tried to figure out what happened next the more muddied it became.
"Lonato why! Why did you drag so many others into this?" Ashe ran between Catherine and Lonato. "Please, if you surrender then maybe we could… maybe the church will forgive you!"
"Stand down Ashe! I will not surrender to the corruption that is the church! If you do not move… then you leave me no choice." Lonato said without batting an eye.
"Lonato? What do you mea-"
The kind man charged Ashe mercilessly. Byleth never would have guessed that Lonato would skewer poor Ashe so heartlessly. Even before his lance pierced the poor boy's chest, Byleth saw him rearing up his horse to change. Yet for some reason he could only stare in shock.
.
.
"Catherine! Don't!"
Byleth wasn't sure how many times he heard a variation of that ring in his ears but he knew something was terribly off with how, despite his sister being calm only moments ago she was now yelling in desperation.
He tightened his grip on his lance and ran forward. "Catherine, wait! If we bring him in we might be able to get some useful information out of him."
Catherine hesitated for a moment. "I don't like it. But since you both are protesting I'll play along. I don't want to kill Lonato. If you think it'll work…"
The sound of heavy armor clanged loudly behind them. "We should have faith in them Catherine." Alois added, out of breath.
Byleth glanced over towards his sister and relaxed when she visibly relaxed. The four of them worked together to try and get Lonato off his horse. As long as he stayed on it their goal of apprehending him was extremely difficult.
Alois did his best to push forward but Lonato didn't give them many opportunities where they could take him out without killing him. So he had been reduced to a walking shield for the rest of them for the time being.
Somewhere in the chaos of their struggle Lonato had called reinforcements and everything got annoyingly harder.
Since he was being terribly stubborn they had long given up trying to reason with him. All except Ashe apparently, because he was running unarmed towards Lonato. Byleth cursed and ran after him.
"Ashe! What are you doing?"
"Lonato please! Stop this madness!"
"So you've betrayed me after all?!" Lonato shouted with a growl. "I should have known." One of his guards tossed him a javelin.
Byleth saw the darkness in Lonato's eyes and knew what he was going to do. He was too far back to reach Lonato in time, but if he was quick…
He ran as fast as he could but oddly, time felt slow and heavy. Briefly he wondered if it had something to do with his sister's ability, or maybe even Sothis.
'What are you doing you fool!?'
Again, Byleth wasn't sure if that was his own thoughts or Sothis's scolding.
The initial impact of the javelin didn't feel like much. There was intense pressure and for a second his head hurt more than his chest. Was it because he couldn't breathe or because that's where the weapon stuck him, a muffled thud echoed in his ears, as if he got punched. He felt something warm trickle down his back. It must have pierced through the other side… Somehow he lost his footing and he stumbled back, or was it that he tripped on something? His own feet?
He tasted iron before he hit the ground.
The cold metal suddenly ripped back through his chest and everything felt like it was on fire. The cry that surely came from him sounded far away and foreign, almost as if someone else had yelled out… was it him or could it have been his sister? But surely it was him because now he was choking on his own blood.
His hands instinctively shot up to the weapon and uselessly fussed with it. He didn't have the strength to grab it anyway, but he knew it would only make it worse if he messed with it.
Ashe appeared above him, his eyes wide and full of tears.
Byleth felt his lips turn down. Had be gotten hurt after all? His vision started to darken and before another thought fully formed in his head, everything went black…
/\/\/\/\
"C-Catherine! Wait!" Balaiya's voice cracked when it shot up to octaves she didn't even know she could reach. She heaved involuntarily and wretched emptily. She'd seen her brother die! She felt dizzy and weak, her chest burned deeply and she struggled to breathe. Had she reached her limit? What if something worse happened? Should she have left it how it had first happened? But if she had, Ashe had… he held his father's head in his hands! She felt warmth flood her mouth, though she tasted nothing when she spat the vicious red all over the ground.
Catherine's eyes widened. "Professor? Are you alright?" She grit her teeth and motioned to the group. "Fall back for now! Quickly!"
Balaiya felt steady hands tightly grab her arms and pull her back. She was firmly pushed into a sitting position and a cool hand pressed against her forehead.
"Teach? Are y-... What ha… to you?"
She felt something soft dab at her mouth. She weakly reached up and rubbed her eyes till the blur ceased. She squinted her eyes, just barely making out who knelt before her. "Claude?"
All at once he was shoved away and her brother invaded her view. "Bala? What happened? Are you okay?" His voice lowered. "How many times did you…"
She frowned. "I don't know." She forced herself to stand, despite Byleth's protests. "Leth, please. You can't let Catherine fight Lonato… she'll-" she gasped when she saw Ashe approaching him.
"Stand down Ashe, I must destroy these evil doers by any means necessary."
"Please surrender Lonato! Whatever your reasons for doing this, we can talk it out!" He exclaimed.
Balaiya shoved Byleth towards them, panic beginning to claw at her mind again. "Go Leth! Hurry! And don't go alone!"
Thankfully he didn't ask questions and ran off towards the pair, Dimitri followed close behind.
"Rhea is an infidel who has deceived the people and desecrated the goddess! We have virtue and the goddess herself on our side!" Lonato reasoned firmly.
But Balaiya didn't like his reasoning, why were so many people so quick to judge Rhea? How could she have negatively affected this man? If she had… how many others? Who was telling the truth? Who should she believe?
"Even if all that's true, dragging the townsfolk into it like this isn't right!" Ashe pleaded.
She frowned and stepped forward, her hand blindly reaching for a sword that wasn't there. She needed to help.
"No you don't."
Once again she was pushed to the ground, only this time with slightly more force. She took a breath to protest but her words were lost when more blood pushed its way out of her mouth, accompanied by painful coughs. The cloth was pressed against her mouth again.
"Teach, stay sitting… please."
She was thrown off guard by how soft his voice had gotten. "I look that bad huh?" She attempted to heal herself but couldn't concentrate enough to summon the magic forth.
"To be clear, yes…" Claude's voice was nearly a whisper and when she opened her eyes to look at him she was surprised by how worried he looked.
"I'm fine Claude… really I-"
He shook his head. "I know it happened again… whatever it is that happens to you. Even if you dofeel fine. For my sake… just…" he bit his lip. "Take it easy." He dug his hand in his pocket and pulled out a vial. "You're not going to pass out on me again, are you Teach?" He smiled wryly and pressed the vial into her hand. "Take this okay?"
She pursed her lips, "I'm not. I already told you I feel fine."
He barked a dry laugh. "And I don't believe you."
Lonato's voice rang out across the field again. "Enough. If that's how you feel, prepare yourself! I'm putting an end to this!"
She grit her teeth and lifted the vial up to her lips but her hand started shaking too much. Multiple images of Ashe dying or even killing his own father flashed through her mind. How horrible that was, she couldn't bear the look on his face in both scenarios. Ashe shouldn't have to endure such pain, at the very least he shouldn't have to witness such gruesome death.
She felt a hand wrap around hers to steady her shakes and her eyes refocused on Claude's face.
She'd never seen him so serious before and she wasn't sure if she liked it. He helped her guide the vial to her lips and didn't release her until it was empty. When he did, her hand fell heavily into her lap. That wasn't the first time he'd touched her hand, though he seemed to avoid it. It was a normal enough thing for one's hands to touch… so why did she keep seeing what just transpired reply in her head?
She took in a deep breath and realized it came easily, so she took another and another. Thankfully the pounding in her head had calmed down to just an annoying throb.
"You have been deceived by that witch! I will show you the truth!" Lonato yelled.
Balaiya frowned and clamoured to her feet in time to see her brother facing off against Lonato. By his side was Dimitri and Dedue with Raphael backing then up, Leonie wasn't far behind. Balaiya held her breath, this was a new turn out. Usually the fight was over before the other students could make it in time to assist. The only other problem was that Ashe was still too close for her liking. 'Leth, don't let him watch!' She yelled internally.
It was as if he heard her, from what she could see it Byleth had grabbed Ashe by the back of his collar and tossed him backwards, the poor boy was then passed along till Leonie was shoving him into Ingrid's arms just as Byleth's lance pierced through a weak point in Lonato's armor. She felt relief crash into her and she hurried forward, despite Claude's attempted protest.
"Is everyone alright?" She questioned breathlessly.
Byleth steadied her. "Yes. How are you doing?"
She shook her head slowly. "Best case scenario… so I'm going to have to be fine." She frowned deeply when Ashe started crying, he broke away from Ingrid's grasp and ran forward but Catherine stopped him.
"No Ashe. You can't." She said sternly.
"But… I have to… I… Lonato… I." He hung his head. "I'm so sorry Father…"
"I never thought I'd see Lonato meet this fate." Catherine muttered. "Well done everyone, let's gather our troops and go."
Balaiya stepped forward and pulled Ashe away from Catherine. She wasn't very happy with her comment. Why would she say that in his face?
Ashe sniffled and clung suddenly to her, his face buried in her chest. "Why… why did this have to happen? Lonato was always such a kind man…" His tears formed a damp spot on her shirt but she didn't even think of pushing him away, instead she carefully placed one hand on his shoulder and the other on his back. Like he was a small child she patted him with the same gentleness she reserved for when she tended to her flowers. Though she wasn't sure if it was the right thing it seemed like a good move, since his sobs had begun to calm.
He pulled away after another moment but kept his head down. "I'm sorry Professor… I just." He clenched his fist tightly. "Everyone in the village here was always so nice to me… I even recognized some of the fighters as villagers… and I… I still killed them! I know I had to… I know I had to… if I didn't then I would've…But still, what does that make me?"
Dimitri stepped forward hesitantly. "Please don't beat yourself up Ashe. We did what had to be done."
"I-I'm sorry." Ashe whispered, his voice breaking. "I shouldn't be bothering you."
"No Ashe, we're here for you. Don't think like that." Balaiya pleaded quietly.
"I'm… I'm going to check up on the town. I hope my brother and sister are okay." He turned and ran off.
Balaiya tried to follow him but was suddenly really dizzy again. She stumbled.
Byleth steadied her and after a moment she stepped away.
"That… was my first time killing civilians too…" Dimitri mumbled. "Those who I've sworn to protect…"
Byleth turned to him with a frown. "That is the reality of war Dimitri."
Balaiya frowned, it sounded harsh but she herself couldn't think of anything better to say. Saying it's okay was a bad choice because it really wasn't. Nothing could make this okay.
Dimitri scowled. "Are you insane?! Those weren't all knights or soldiers, but fathers and sons! We… we shouldn't have killed them! We should have found another way…"
Balaiya frowned. "Dimitri…" She felt her head spin and her chest tighten. "I tried…we tried…" Her voice broke at the end but she couldn't find the mind to care how vulnerable she may sound at the moment.
Dimitri took a step back, realization seemed to cross his face. "I…I'm sorry. It's not fair for me to blame you for the circumstances…I know that if we hadn't done what we did, even more civilian lives would have been lost. At least, my mind understands that. But.. my heart... " He twisted his hand in his hair and his voice shuttered.
Balaiya wanted to comfort him but, how could she understand what he was feeling? She didn't have a heart… didn't that mean she was incapable of truly emphasizing with him?
She looked at Byleth, desperately hoping he would say or do something to help.
Byleth bit his lip and stepped beside Dimitri, placing his hand on his shoulder and squeezing him silently.
Dimitri sighed and released his hair from his death grip. "Professor… Those in Power, no matter the era, always claim they fight for a just cause. That they take life to protect it." He looked between them. "But… is it truly okay to take any life you please, all in service of some implacable 'just cause' ?"
"Of course it's not." Balaiya said quietly.
"Lord Lonato didn't take up arms out of a lust for power. He simply believed his cause to be just. Who's to say it wasn't?" He clenched his fists at his side and continued, the word spilling quickly from his mouth. "Maybe we didn't have to cut him down like that. Maybe we could have reached a mutual understanding… found a path to peace."
Balaiya locked eyes with Byleth and he sighed. "Some people can't be reasoned with Dimitri… No matter how many times you may try." He said grimly.
Dimitri shook his head. "No, I… I have to believe that. Perhaps the notion sounds laughable to you. Mere lip service to my naive ideals. But I can't believe otherwise."
"It's not laughable Dimitri." Claude said quietly. "It's thoughts and beliefs like those that will help us obtain the world we wish for. One that has no space for what went on today."
Balaya sighed and looked back to where Ashe had gone. "Leth, can you… please go with him."
"I'm not sure if he would want my company." He mumbled. "I did just kill his father…"
Balaiya frowned. "I'll just go then." She stepped forward but her vision blurred and a sudden pain pulsed through her. She shot her hand up to her forehead. In her peripheral vision she saw Catherine approaching.
"Alright, I'll go with him. Just don't strain yourself." Byleth said and guided her over to an open wood carriage that some of the knights had brought over. He sat her down in it as some of the other students climbed into it. "Stay here, don't push yourself anymore."
"Fine." She grumbled.
Claude climbed on the carriage with her and sat down beside her.
Byleth frowned at him but then seemed to decide on something and sighed. "Make sure she stays sitting."
"Got it Professor." Claude said.
Balaiya barely registered the next few words they exchanged, the only thing she processed was that Marianne was sitting across from her and Annette was beside her. She also heard Ignatz's voice nearby before she felt the heavy lull of sleep consume her.
"Oh good, finally we can see the monastery from here." Ignatz said tiredly.
"I'm surprised the Professor slept all this time… well not really I guess." Leonie said.
Balaiya stirred and rubbed her eyes. She felt heavy still and one side of her body felt comfortably warm, she didn't want to move.
"Hey are you finally awake Teach?" She heard Claude's familiar voice whisper in her ear.
"Hmm?" An odd chill crept down through her body but she didn't find it unpleasant, rather a lazy wave of warmth over took her. She felt sleepier. She stateds to zone out again.
"Quite Claude… it won't be… if you move you'll wake the Prof-"
Was that Hilda's voice, or Leonie?
"Gah, I gotta take a leak." Came Claude's frank response.
"Gross Claude. What's wrong with you?" Leonie nearly shouted.
Balaiya felt her consciousness sharpen again.
"Yeah, quit complaining Claude… why don't you just pinch it or something?" Hilda said.
Claude must be very close to her because when he laughed she felt the vibrations against her cheek… wait…
"That doesn't sound like something a dignified panties-wearing person would say, Hilda."*
Hilda's voice dripped sarcastic sweetness. "Oh Claude, if the Professor wasn't right there I would be choking you right about now."
"Please do Hilda~. It might brighten my mood."
"I could just punch him." Leonie muttered.
Balaiya frowned and opened her eyes finally. She observed them curiously, why were they fighting again? "What are you guys talking about?"
"Ah! Rise and shine Teach, you overslept."
Balaiya could practically hear the grin in his voice. She lifted her head slowly but froze when she realized she had been using his shoulder as a pillow. She had to cross her eyes to see his face properly.
She was awfully close, and everyone was watching her. Why did she suddenly feel so self conscious? Slowly so as not to raise suspicion she moved to the other side of the cart.
"I'm glad you're doing better Professor." Marianne said at her side. "We were a bit worried."
"You need to stop pushing yourself so much, Professor Byleth said you were overexerting yourself." Hilda stated.
"I'll be back guys!" Claude shouted and jumped off the cart.
"Don't shout Claude!" Annette said. "You'll wake Sylvain."
Balaiya leaned over curiously to peer at the other end of the cart were Annette and Mercedes knelt beside a sleeping Sylvain. He had multiple bows and twists in his hair. She smirked to herself at the sight, it would certainly be amusing to see his reaction when he woke up.
"All done." Mercedes said happily. "Oh but I ran out of hair ties, ladies I need one more. Do any of you have an extra?"
"I'm sorry Mercie." Hilda said. "I've already given you all my extra."
"And, I obviously have no use for them." Leonie said matter of factly.
"Oh man, what about you Professor?" Mercedes asked.
Balaiya shook her head. "I never do anything with my hair so I don't have any…"
Hilda gasped. "Oh, well we have to fix that as soon as everyone's rested up properly."
"Annie, do you see Ingrid close by?" Mercedes asked.
Annette looked around. "Oh, she's pretty far up ahead with Professor Byleth and His Highness… oh I see Felix close, I'll ask him to get her." She started waving her arms dramatically in his direction. After a few moments he noticed her but didn't walk over until both Mercedes and Annette were motioning him over.
"What is it?" He questioned stiffly.
"Felix can you go get Ingrid for me?"
"Why?"
"I want to ask her if she had an extra hair tie."
"Why?"
"For Sylvain, duh." She gestured to their… masterpiece?
Something flickered in his eyes and he shook his head. Amusement perhaps? "He looks terrible."
Annette pouted. "I don't think so."
"Why don't you go ask Ingrid yourself? You're not occupied."
"That's rude Felix, obviously we're ladies and we would rather stay sitting." Hilda said.
"That's an awful excuse. Just say you're lazy."
"Hey!" Annette crossed her arms, then her eyes lit up like bright pools of water. "Do you have an extra hair tie?"
This seemed to catch Felix off guard and he spluttered on his next words. "W-wha? Me?"
"I'm not looking at anyone else." Annette replied.
"Why would I have one?" He scoffed.
All the girls in the cart rose an eyebrow at him. The look on his face and the tense silence that followed made Balaiya have to hold her breath. She nearly laughed and she wasn't sure what surprised her more. The fact that she couldn't tell why she wanted to laugh or the fact that Felix actually produced an extra hair tie and tossed it in Annette's lap.
"Keep it." He muttered and stalked off.
"Yay!" Annette smiled sweetly and handed Mercedes the tie. "Her you go Mercie."
"Thank You Annie." Mercedes smiled softly and tied it around the last section in Sylvain's hair. She clapped her hands together. "All done!"
Balaiya shook her head and moved over to the edge of the cart. "I'm going to take a quick breather guys. I'll be back, no need to stop the cart." She climbed off.
"If you find Claude make sure he gets back before he gets eaten by a bear or something." Hilda called after her.
Balaiya shook her head and waved over her shoulder.
After she was done refreshing herself she began to move back over to the path to catch up with the cart. Just a few feet ahead Claude was walking up the path. She quickened her pace to catch up with him.
"Hey, Teach. You sure you feeling okay?"
She nodded. "Yes, I'm just starving." As if to confirm it, her stomach chose now to growl loudly. She pursed her lips.
He laughed. "I bet. You've been out for nearly the whole trip. We'll be back in the monastery soon."
"I'm sorry…"
He sighed. "We were worried… Mercedes healed you a few times. Did it help?"
"Most likely, I feel alright. Maybe a little weak…I think that tonic you gave me helped a lot too."
He grinned. "Good." He dug his hand in his pocket and held out a small pouch. "Lucky you, I saved you some food."
She took the pouch and opened it quickly. Inside there was an assortment of dried berries and nuts. "Thanks Claude!"
"It's not much."
"It's enough." She smiled to herself and poured some into her palm. After a moment she looked back over at him. "How are you doing… considering everything."
He sighed and scratched the back of his head. "I'm alright. I'm more concerned about the others… and Ashe. That whole fight left a foul taste in my mouth." He grimaced. "Fighting villagers like that… the worst part was that you couldn't tell who was an experienced knight and who wasn't until it was too late."
Balaiya frowned, that, and whatever was driving them was a whole other part of the story. Lonato had cursed Rhea so vehemently. Just what had she done? Was it legitimate?
Absently, she offered some of the snacks in her hand to him. He eyed her for a moment then took some.
"That aside, did you see the way Catherine fought?"
She nodded. "Yeah, she's incredible. I didn't spare the time to admire her on the battlefield but thinking back on it now…"
"I agree. I thought that the power of the Hero's Relics must be exaggerated, but I was clearly wrong." He glanced to the side. "Makes you wonder about that legend…"
She tilted her head. "What legend?"
"Oh it's nothing. Just the usual fanciful nonsense. An ancient relic that once cut a mountain in half with a single swing."
Hey eyes widened. "Really?"
He shrugged. "That's what they say, anyway. But as amazing as Thunderbrand is, I don't think it fits that description."
"What even is a relic anyway? Are they always weapons? I know Catherine mentioned there were ten, but do people even know where they all are?" Just a few feet ahead the carriage came back into view and they sped up a bit to catch up.
"Yeah. I don't think there are any list relics… apparently, Relics can harness tremendous power for those with a compatible crest." He trailed off and ran a hand through his hair. "Though you can technically use one so long as you have any crest at all…"
"If it doesn't matter then why do people make a big fuss over it?"
"Yeeah, I dunno. Long story short, I'd like to try cutting a mountain in half someday."
Hilda popped her head over the side of the cart. "Ooh! Were you just talking about Relics? You'll be able to use one soon, Claude! I just know it!" She grinned. "After all, you've already been selected as the next head of House Riegan!"
Claude frowned and shook his head. "Eaaasy there, Hilda. I don't know how apt soon is. My grandfather is still unbearably healthy."
Balaiya rose an eyebrow. "Wait, what do you mean?"
Claude turned to her. "Oh? is this news to you, Teach? Yours truly was recently recognized as a legitimate heir to House Riegan." He winked. "They possess one of the Heroes Relics too, though I've yet to see it."
Balaiya's brow furrowed in confusion. "Wait, what do you mean recently?"
"Oh, I officially joined House Riegan only last year. Before then, I lived with my father. When I learned that my mother was the daughter of an Alliance noble, I was so surprised I thought the whole world was pulling a fast one on me for a week."
She just stared at him in silence. That explained why people seemed to judge him so quickly. He didn't grow up in House Riegan… if that was the case then who was his father? A commoner? Could that be why he was so different when compared to other nobles his age?
Hilda tapped her chin. "Huh, so doesn't that mean your Mother is Duke Riegan's daughter, right? Where is she now?"
Claude shrugged and glanced away. "I can't say. My mother's currently living in a different world than the one she grew up in and has no desire to return home."
Hilda pouted. "Um, okay? You sure have a lot of secrets, don't you?"
"I'm just keeping a promise to my parents." He looked back at them with a serious look in his eyes. "Make of that whatever you will." He grinned slightly. "In exchange for my so called secrecy, I'm free to do as I please, which is why I decided to see what the other side of my family was like. That's how I found out about this strange Crest I bear…"
Hilda yawned and disappeared back into the cart. "Ugh you're starting to sound like Professor Hanneman." She called as she retreated. Which apparently fell on deaf ears.
Balaiya observed Claude quietly, for him to speak so casually about his parents, even if a little vague was new for him. She couldn't help but feel relieved he didn't share any details with Hilda there.
"Anything else I missed out on?" Balaiya asked him curiously.
His face grew serious. "Actually, yes. While you were out. Catherine found a letter that detailed a plan to assassinate Lady Rhea."
She frowned deeply. "What?"
"There wasn't much she shared, just that the details were too disturbing to ignore. She's going to report it to Lady Rhea as soon as we get back. In fact, I believe she may have taken a horse ahead of the caravan."
Balaiya sighed heavily and climbed back on the cart, Claude following right behind her. It seemed as if everything had spiraled out of control all at once and she was still grasping for details. They weren't able to question Lord Lonato like she had hoped, so now a huge chunk of information was lost to them. And how Rhea was in danger…
"Professor look!" Mercedes called out to her softly.
Balaiya blinked and looked over to where she sat. Somehow they had gotten ahold of something to make Sylvain's cheeks pink, and he was just starting to wake up.
Claude was grinning widely and the girls were giggling.
Ignatz seemed to also be trying to hold back a laugh via hiding his face behind a book.
"Are we-" He yawned. "There yet?" Sylvain asked sleepily and sat up. He blinked at them a few times.
Balaiya held her breath.
"What's so funny?" He asked everyone.
No one seemed to want to say anything and when he reached his hand up to his head and discovered what had happened…
Nearly everyone burst out into laughter.
She had never seen Sylvain look so red before.