Imperial Year 1172, Blue Sea Moon.
Lambert Egitte Blaiddyd, King of the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus, is slain in an ambush during a diplomatic meeting with the neighboring nation of Duscur. Of the 312 people who accompanied him, only seven survive. The Tragedy of Duscur fills the people with anguish and grief at the loss of their beloved king. Grand Duke Rufus, older brother of the king and regent for the young Crown Prince Dimitri, musters the armies of Faerghus in a call of revenge.
The Knights of Seiros and allies of the crown prince arrive in Duscur as the Kingdom army goes about its bloody work. On the authority of Crown Prince Dimitri, Duke Fraldarius and the intervention of the Central Church, Duscur is spared the full weight of punishment. Half the country is blackened ruins, unfit for life, the other half regulated to a life of submission under the domain of the new viscount, Kleiman. The countrymen of Duscur are put under sanction and lose their freedom, their culture, their heritage… but never their pride.
The state of the Kingdom fractures further admit tensions between supporters of the grand duke and crown prince. Lines are drawn, and alliances made. The Western Church strengthens its ties with the grand duke amid accusations of interference and favoritism by the Central Church. Rufus bleeds the populace dry with heavy taxes that bolster the strength of the military. Rebellions that rise in protest are put down in brutal fashion by the very armies their taxes pay for. Rumormongering and gossip spreads of the grand duke's true intent: an invasion of the Adrestian Empire.
The body of Queen-consort Patricia was absent from the grounds of the Tragedy of Duscur. The only member of the party left unaccounted for. With Volkhard von Arundel returning to the Empire the very night of the Tragedy, paranoia and distrust lend strength to accusations hurled at the south. The Empire denies all claims, but readies itself for a border war all the same.
As unofficial skirmishes break out near the border, tensions rise high amongst the latest student body of the Officers Academy of Garreg Mach Monastery. Incidents and accusations rise in frequency. War comes...
Harpstring Moon, Imperial Year 1175
Three years after the Tragedy of Duscur…
Lance met sword in a furious exchange of blows. Wooden splinters exploded off as power clashed with power. Father and Son demonstrating before the students gathered from the three houses of the Officers Academy of Garreg Mach Monastery.
Byleth's swings were fast, so fast. Three years of redoubled effort had sharpened his combat sense on par with a holy knight and every spar now drew sweat from the veteran knight he engaged. Jeralt gave ground, sprung traps and parries and misdirects and nearly managed a slash of victory but his son flexed around and dodged that blow and a dozen after.
A quick slash from the side drew Jeralt's focus. Blade against shaft and Byleth used the momentum to raise his sword high. Too fast for Jeralt to dodge outright - he had to block this. Jeralt jolted the shaft upwards into the blade—the weapons smashed into one another.
Byleth's sword flew free. His grip too loose. His son wasn't winning today.
Only for Byleth to duck under the lance and land a square punch to Jeralt's abdomen. The wind escaped in harsh breath as Jeralt fell back.
Clever. "OK, you win, whew," Jeralt admitted. The wooden sword clanged into the stone nearby, narrowly avoiding one of the students. "Good move, but that kind of nonsense wouldn't work in a real battle."
"Oh?" Byleth tapped the knife on his belt. His lips flashing a smirk for just a second.
Now Jeralt had to smile at that! "All right, maybe it could work. Too risky for me to recommend it though." Jeralt looked back at the audience of students, squires, and knights. A good chunk of the on-lookers were impressed, but a fair number wore sour expressions at the surprise lesson. Silent grumbling at the victory. Kingdom glares too common these days. "I can see some of you are unhappy with this. Maybe you think this is dishonorable, maybe you think it's too dangerous. I'm not here to teach you what honor is. I'm here to teach you how to fight. You don't have to use what I show you - what we show you - but you can be certain that whatever foes you face will have a different sense of honor than you. Knowing how they could fight is just as important even if you never use it for yourself. Take this in, think it over, come to your own conclusions." He let his words sink in for a moment. "Dismissed."
That seemed to mollify a few of the Kingdom brats but that hardened edge of arrogance never went away. Not that he should expect it. Lambert's death was still too raw, and the "justice" met was sloppy and contentious even in the country. Considering everything it was a miracle the Blue Lions and Black Eagles weren't brawling every day.
Jeralt waved Byleth over but any sort of plans for the rest of the day were interrupted by the arrival of Alois. "Captain, a word."
"What is it, Alois?
"Lady Rhea's called a meeting."
"Important?"
"She's called everyone. And I mean everyone. Every holy knight in monastery, all the troop leaders, even the professors…"
That was extreme. Did the Kingdom finally make a move? "I'll be right there then."
"Manuela's participating? That will impede our plans," said Byleth.
"You had something planned?" Hope she didn't rope him into something weird. She had a habit of flirting with every man who came her way when the situation wasn't serious.
"Additional lessons."
Boy's hunger for knowledge was almost more than his appetite these days. "Well, I'll ask. If it ends early I'll send her to you."
"I'll be here then."
Jeralt nodded and Alois and he left down the halls. Already unease and anxiety were taking over the faces of people they passed. This was war. It had to be.
The main chamber was the fullest he'd ever seen. He and Alois had to walk alongside the outer edges past the columns to make it to their positions. The knights, holy and otherwise, stood in ranks, the professors were at the heads of the ranks nearby Rhea. The archbishop stood at the front of her throne, Seteth ever present at her side. And secreted away were the cardinals themselves.
They weren't making it obvious. Blending into the ranks of the anonymous holy knights as they were. But the last time he encountered one of them he made damn sure to burn his mannerisms into his mind. That peculiar way of picking his fingernails using his left-hand little finger. That three foot tap and wait, then four taps. Then three with the opposite foot. That was the cardinal for sure.
Where one cardinal went, they all went. He'd seen them but three times in all his long life and each time defined history, and they weren't around for the Duscur incidents. Whatever was happening now could change the face of Fódlan.
"Jeralt," said Seteth as Jeralt took his position at the head of the knights. "That's everyone of importance then. I shall not mince words: Dagda and Brigid have launched an open invasion of the Adrestian Empire."
When Almyran invaded it was one of those three times he had seen the cardinals. "What're our orders, then?" Keeping a foreign power at bay would be a nice, simple excursion for the knights after the mess of Duscur. Or as simple as war got.
His steely answer seemed to keep any sort of tension from springing for now, but already he could see the onset of worry on the brows of Professor Manuela and Professor Hanneman. Both of them were from the Empire, even if they'd left it behind.
"Historically the Empire has proven adept at repelling such aggression, but with their forces arrayed near the border of the Kingdom in response to their recent aggressive tendencies, there is appreciable concern a portion of Fodlan's Fangs could be overtaken."
Dammit Volkhard. "So, are we to bolster the Empire's forces directly or relieve their border forces?"
"Neither."
"What?!" Jeralt took charge amidst a wave of others. "I know we shouldn't interfere in Fódlan politics at large but threats beyond the borders are well within our area." He'd just convinced himself of this!
"I understand your concern, Jeralt," said Rhea, her voice as soft as she could make it. "The goddess grieves with each senseless death caused by these pagans. But lending the strength of the knights to the Empire would embolden the Western Church even further."
"And after they sided with the Kingdom," Manuella scoffed.
Jeralt shook his head. Rhea never cared about this kind of thing. What the Western Church thought, what the Kingdom thought was irrelevant to her. She wasn't helping the Empire for her own reasons. "So, we're on standby because of the Western Church's nonsense?"
Seteth answered with a very public sigh. "The relationship between holy church and Kingdom is tumultuous at best. Aiding the Empire in light of their accusations might see them establish stronger ties with the Western Church. Which would limit our ability to reprimand their aggression in the future."
Ridiculous. "Then why are we here if all you're telling is that we can't do anything?"
"In light of this situation we wish everyone to make certain that students of the Black Eagle House, or any other House should it come to it, remain within Garreg Mach's grounds."
Jeralt scratched his head at the ridiculousness of it all. "We're not really jailers. If we hold them back won't this create the divides you want to avoid?"
"We would be remiss not to consider such a scenario," said Seteth. "But a number of the students here are scions of the western territories of the Empire. Should their parents fall, it would be they who must take up governance whence the invaders are thrown back into the sea. With the school year barely underway few even have the proper instruction to contribute in a meaningful way."
Preparing for the future, was it? "Why bring us all together for this?" The last time the cardinals were in semi-public like this was when Almyra invaded. If they weren't intervening this time, why?
"We fully expect that this command will prove unpleasant for many. We wish everyone available to keep an eye open for dissent." Spying, gotcha. "And… if any member of this institution should find themselves unable to remain impartial to this conflict, they shall be removed from the church so that their actions do not reflect on the holy church as a whole."
"For those seeking repentance," said Rhea, "the goddess will always listen."
Well, that was a clever bit of maneuvering, wasn't it? "I understand," said Jeralt.
Rhea held her hands in prayer. "May the goddess watch over all of you."
"That will be all," said Seteth. The suddenness of the meeting and its dismissal made perfect sense to certain enough factions.
Alois wasn't one of them. Out in the hallway, Alois pulled Jeralt aside, the three professors and a handful of other knights joining them as the majority left amid speculation of their own. "Can't say sitting here doing nothing while people are dying sits well with me," he said. "Are you fine with this, Captain?" Jeralt gave him a head shake for "no".
"At the very least a medical team could be sent," said Manuela. "The Western Church can't object to that without losing face." Her fingers were intertwined in hopeful prayer for the people of her homeland. Worry tightened her face and even her dress seemed less slinky than usual.
"This whole situation strikes me as quite preposterous," said Hanneman. A quiet anger trembling in his words. Grey beard swaying as he spoke. Coat shaking with his restraint. "The Empire's troops are on full readiness due to the situation with the Kingdom. I've heard Count Bergliez spends more time afield than at Enbarr these days."
"Then why are they invading at all?" asked Professor Cecilia. "They've lost before when the Empire was unprepared. Attacking when their armies are on active duty is… foolish." She was half-hugging herself, pressing arms up against her breastplate. Biting her lip at the whole situation already.
"I believe the Empire's tariffs on Brigid goods were raised somewhat recently? Even if the Empire's troops are active they cannot be shifted away from the border so readily." Hanneman paused a moment, deep in thought as he stroked his beard. "Then, the threat of a Kingdom invasion on the back of it would further slow any Imperial response."
"They might even be in league with the Kingdom," Jeralt offered.
"A frightening prospect indeed!"
"Not a likely one, though," he corrected, "but I never thought I'd be involved in an assassination attempt either." Bah, burdening them with more bad news wasn't the way. "Anyway, I'm gonna begin making my preparations."
"For what, Captain?" Alois asked.
"To go help the Empire, obviously."
His words slapped shock into each of them. "Err, did I hear you right, Captain?" asked the confused Alois. You're defying Lady Rhea to go to the Empire?"
"Not alone. I'm gonna round-up anyone who's interested." Byleth for sure, maybe Reo, Seth and Cain. Gilbert maybe? Ehhh, probably not. He wasn't even called to this meeting. Small chance he'd be willing to abandon another home so readily.
Manuela said, "Err, did you miss the part where you'd be expelled for helping? Believe me I want to make sure the death toll is as low as possible but…" Her hands were still in prayer.
"Yeah. But I also heard the part where anyone looking for redemption will be welcomed back."
What was quick to him now came to anyone else. "You're saying, they intend for us to aid the Empire?" Hanneman asked.
"If we all go mercenary, it wouldn't look terrible on the grand stage."
"Losing that many knights would, though," said Cecilia.
"It's a risk the church is willing to take." Or seemed like. "Alois, you in?"
"After I missed out on Duscur both times? Darn right I am!"
"Anyone else?"
"I think I'll pass," said Manuela. "As much as my heart goes out to the victims of this war, someone needs to make sure these kids here don't get it in their heads to run off and join."
"I, too, will turn down your offer," said Hanneman. "Witnessing Imperial Crests in active use would prove fortuitous to my research, but the lack of facilities would only impede any progress I do make."
"I'll pass as well," said Cecilia. "I don't think they can pull another professor on short notice either."
About what he expected. It'd take someone damn persuasive to get them outta Garreg Mach and fighting in a war. "I understand. All right, Alois, let's go grab Byleth then ask around for anyone else interested. Oh, and Professor Manuela, will you have time to finish up your work with my son before we leave?"
"I'll try and make do but I think most of my time will be spent making sure no one panics."
He probably wouldn't be disappointed by it. "I'll tell him then."
With everything settled their little gathering separated to undertake their new goals. Along the way the increased anxiety was increasingly obvious on the face of gossipers. The uncertainty of before was replaced with loud whispers and darting eyes as bigger groups congregated. He hoped things wouldn't get out of hand but history told him otherwise.
The training grounds were busy with shouts as they returned. Byleth was effortlessly holding off a student of the Black Eagles while two Blue Lions were in a scuffle all their own. The Black Eagle attempted to get by, but Byleth twisted his arm around and brought the boy to his knees in a yelp of pain. Meanwhile the Blue Lions went down and dirty and the stronger of the pair pinned the other to the ground.
"Break it up! Break it up!" Jeralt shouted at everyone. The two students on the ground looked wide-spread in horror at the sudden authority. "What's going on here? Son." He quickly added the last before the students' lies came out.
Byleth pointed at the Blue Lion pinned on the ground. "He was attempting a duel. With this one." Black Eagle. "Insults were hurled, both went for weapons when Glenn and I intervened."
"You're a disgrace to the Blue Lions," Glenn chided his fellow house member. "Letting an Imperial goad you like that? You'll never become a knight indulging your impulses like that."
"Leave the punishment for the professors, kid," Jeralt told him. "Alois, would you mind bringing them to Hanneman and Cecilia?"
"Leave it to me, Captain!" Alois grabbed the two moping brats and hauled them out the doors.
Jeralt shook his head. "Good grief, this is the last thing I needed today."
"I'll say," said Glenn, straightening out his jacket. "They interrupted our second bout." His dark hair was still slick with sweat from his latest loss to Byleth.
"Thanks for having your head on straight, at least."
"Think nothing of it. I simply did my knightly duty." Steely-blue eyes smiling alongside his lips.
If only the rest of the brats had their thoughts as squared away as Glenn Canas Fraldarius. "Anyway." He faced Byleth again. "Sorry, kid. Manuela's gonna be plenty busy, your lessons are probably gonna be cut short."
"All right." He blinked a few times. "Is something wrong?"
He was sharp when he wanted to be… "Yeah, but…" He glanced a second at Glenn. "It's something private."
The Kingdom boy smirked at the idea. "I knew it. All it took was a single look outside to see a fouler mood than usual. Something significant is happening. Tell me, has the Kingdom invaded the Empire? Or finished what it started in Duscur? Maybe the Empire's struck first."
"I'm not having this conversation with you."
"News such as this seldom stays hidden. How difficult did you find it to obscure your role in Tragedy and punishment? It will reach my ears before long, you may as well save time."
Jeralt sighed at the accusation. The brat was right enough. "Dagda and Brigid have invaded the Empire."
He nearly stumbled at the idea. "Not the news I expected."
"No one did."
"And what is the church's response? Are you leading the Knights of Seiros to help fend off this invasion?"
"No," Jeralt flatly replied. "The church is to have no involvement in this matter."
Wide-eyed shock took him. "Then what are you preparing for?"
"Keeping the Black Eagles from running home to mommy and daddy thinking they can make a difference."
Glenn stepped closer, a smirk replaced his shock and it grew wider with every step. "Hardly something a man of your calibur needs to busy himself with. I don't know how, but you're planning on helping the Empire, aren't you? I want in."
What a ridiculous kid… "Even if we were helping the Empire, a Kingdom student fighting in that war would just complicate things."
"My home matters not to my duty as a knight. There are innocents in peril, to turn a blind eye when I can offer a shield is immoral. I was not there for Duscur - twice. I'll not allow a third tragedy to pass by without action."
Half the time he made sense, the other half he was purest the Kingdom got. "That kind of… concern is… touching, really. But we're staying here."
"Really, do you think you'll be able to garner provisions beneath my notice? Save yourself the breath and admit it as well. Then save ourselves some arguing and just allow my allegiance. I'll follow you or strike out on my own regardless."
"That kind of thinking is gonna get you in a lot of trouble as Duke Fraldarius…"
"Trouble from ne'er-do-wells and villains only."
No, it's that simplistic world view. "The orders were clear, no one from any house is allowed to go gallivanting off. All I have to do blab to Seteth and you'd be locked in your room until we left. This isn't some simple bandit hunt, kid, this is war.."
Glenn scoffed. "I've cut down bandits aplenty and clashed with rebels time and again. None here among the students has more blood whetting their saber than I."
"Certainly thinking highly of yourself, huh?" Jeralt crossed his arms.
"Not as highly as I regard you and your son. The professors, the students, the actual combat instructor. None of them match your skill, or his. He's the only one here I enjoy locking blades with."
"Even when I win every time?" Byleth suddenly spoke up.
"Precisely why. One learns more in defeat than victory."
"He's not as strong as Cassandra, but he's the best since her."
Was he actually condoning this? That was almost worth the headache of this whole thing. "You're taking this too simply. Not thinking about the consequences."
"Such as?" asked Glenn.
Might as well end it. "We aren't being officially dispatched. Relations with the Kingdom are troubled as is. The church can't afford to show favorites. Anyone who goes… goes knowing they aren't a part of the church any longer."
"By the Sword of Kyphon…"
"Bringing someone of your station with us? Just makes it all the worse."
"Or all the better." Straight eagerness conquered him. "A Kingdom noble fighting to defend the innocents of the Empire would do much to mollify relations."
Did he have any idea about the Empire being responsible? "And a Kingdom noble dying on Imperial soil would push closer to all-out war."
"Then I simply need not die."
That's the kind of arrogance the Officers Academy was supposed to beat out of him. "You're taking this too lightly."
"No, I take it seriously enough." Glenn affixed himself a hard glare. "I squired under my father for a time. There's this city in Gideon territory, Reigh. My father and I were billating whilst on a tour of the troubled territories. During the night a detachment of anti-regent rebels besieged it. Two weeks we fought them. I saw dead pave the road like bricks and gutters overflowing red. My father sent me here, sent me earlier than tradition would dictate so I would avoid being victim of another such attack. I've seen more of war than half the knights here, I assure you. I know it precisely, and why it must be stopped."
"If your father sent you here to avoid war, you really think rushing to another is a good idea?"
"No war is a good idea. But I'll swear my sword to the cause that ends it soonest."
Jeralt fought back a laugh. "You think your sword's gonna end the war so much sooner?"
"How many men do you think you can muster? A hundred at best? Take every swordarm you can."
"Let's take him," said Byleth, earning a full smile from Glenn.
"You can't be serious," said Jeralt. The ever-stoic appearance of his son said he was. Unbelievable. Well, if he did die at least Jeralt finally had a probable reason to leave the church. Ugh, what the hell was he thinking? "You know what this entails, leaving the Academy like this? Disobeying your father? You're putting your future in jeopardy."
"My future?" Glenn chuckled. "My fiancée who'd welcome me gladly and I've no small skill with the blade and a Crest besides. I could become a knight errant with little trouble."
Taking this too lightly… "If you come you stick by Byleth's side. You act closer than brothers, you got this? If it comes to it, if it's between surviving and bailing me out, bailing him out, saving some random commoner - you run. You survive. None of that Kingdom duty, you understand?"
"Absolutely." Smile too much of a smirk to be true.
"You go against my orders and I will knock you out and send you straight back here. I'll make sure of it. You listen to me on everything. The attitude you're giving me right now? Stops dead." Jeralt hardened himself as much as possible. The confidence of Glenn shook for just a moment.
"No." Jeralt raised an eyebrow at that. "I'll not be some mindless stooge. If you intend anything immoral I will stand up to you."
Jeralt let a grin slip just a bit. "Good. That kind of mindless acceptance of orders is what led to something like the punishment in the first place. But there is a time and a place for airing your grievances." Something he'd be doing with Rhea soon enough. "Even if I'm wrong, I will send you back, you understand?"
"Perfectly."
"Gather your gear and send off your letters. Make sure there's nothing tying you to the Kingdom at all." This was a terrible idea. Really, the best thing would be to tell Seteth and let him handle it.
"They won't know what hit them," said Byleth.
"You and I? They won't stand a chance."
He was the closest thing to a friend Byleth ever had.
Glenn went off to undertake his own preparations while Byleth and Jeralt reunited with Alois. The three (two, really) hashed out a list of interested parties and went about extending invitations. It took all daylight but everyone was ready and assembled in the training grounds. Fifty men and women assembled in the torchlight. "All right people, first, I'd like to thank you for coming. You've heard, from one of us or someone else or maybe even realized the truth yourself, but Fódlan is at war again."
"Dagda and Brigid have invaded the western reaches of the Adrestian Empire. With the border tensions between the Empire and Kingdom, the Empire's ability to defend itself has been diminished. The root cause of that tension, the Tragedy of Duscur, has placed the Central Church in a precarious position between the Kingdom, Empire and Western Church. Because of this, the Church of Seiros is unable to send formal aid to the Empire in repelling these foreign threats."
"So. I quit. I'm going south with my son and we're gonna throw the invaders back into the sea on our own volition. Anyone who follows us has to forsake their oaths. Maybe even forsake returning to Garreg Mach ever again." He couldn't reveal the implications. These people had to know going in the worse case scenario in case he was reading the entire scenario wrong. "Anyone who comes south gets their way paid for by me. Provisions, equipment, traveling gear. I was a mercenary once and I remember that business well. Anyone who follows us should know we will get there. I can't guarantee we come back but we will get there."
It wasn't a speech intending to raise moral. It was to weed out the uncertain. Some knights and squires exchanged words, and about ten in total left.
"Are you certain?" Jeralt asked. Plenty of familiar faces in the crowd. Glenn was there, the only student. There was Seth, and Cain and Barst. Reo even.
"Captain," Alois stepped forward. "I think I speak for everyone here when I say: yes."
"I can pay your way, but I can't pay you. Those of you with families, do you understand that? We can get work, mercenaries are gonna be in high demand. But this isn't gonna be glamorous knight work. It will be down and dirty and we'll be tools of nobles who consider us just a cut above the enemy."
"Aye Captain!" Alois said, earning a chorus behind him.
His subordinates were too good for him. "Everyone make sure your affairs are in order and to get me a list of equipment. I'll settle payment on my end." The gathered crowd acknowledged this order and went off to fulfill it. Alois, Byleth and him all that remained.
Jeralt faced his old squire. "You sure you want to come? I know your family's gonna miss you."
"My daughter's big enough to not miss Daddy too much."
"Good to have you at my back, Alois."
"Always, Captain."
Looking like they were numbering forty-three. Four teams of ten. Byleth and Alois leading two, and Jeralt attaching when necessary. "I'm thinking Cain and Barst for the other troops' commanders."
"Good choices. Reo's better off as a second-in-command."
"Well, I'll give it a good night's sleep and think it over some more. I'll see about learning a thing or two on Dagda and Brigid when I have the time." Library had plenty of books that could be useful.
"Hope old Tomas's replacement is better for you than me," said Alois. "He can't find a single fishing book!" Why the church hired someone who couldn't do that was beyond him. Maybe he'd be back from his trip to Ordellia territory by the time Jeralt returned.
If he returned.
Over the next few days Jeralt and Byleth prepared their erstwhile new command for departure. At the marketplace they put in orders for food, weapons, armor, camping supplies and boots and everything else a battalion on the move needed. None of it paid by the church, all of it from Jeralt's own coffers. Which meant church gold was paying for it in the end anyway. Stupid political nonsense.
News of the war was eventually announced in full across the grounds. Panic and fear gripping the students and misery overtaking the adults. Tensions between Black Eagles and Blue Lions grew ever fiercer. Accusations and calls against one another for actions neither had undertaken. The professors and knights kept the peace, but more than once a student ended up in the infirmary. Rhea's calls for peace heeded, if only reluctantly.
On the fourth day after the decision, Father and Son were outfitting themselves in armor without any designations. It wasn't like the trip to Faerghus years ago. Combat was expected and he wasn't skimping out in preparation. The white armor both kept replaced with dark grey for father and black for son.
The two of them stepped back into the fairly busy marketplace and—"Hey, hey, isn't that Jeralt I see?!"
"Hello Cassandra. Hello Christophe." He said before even looking at them. The two of them had grown even more inseparable since the Tragedy of Duscur. "What are you doing here?"
"Just boring diplomatic work," she said. All too cheery for someone with only a single arm and eye. "Maybe that can be fixed…" A cape now hung from her left side, completely covering where her arm once was. A dark blue eyepatch covered up the left side of her face, where her bangs fell free. The right side of her hair was more cared for, and tied back somewhat. The armor she wore was heavier than before. Reinforced with chainmail under the plates. Thunderbrand in its scabbard behind her back.
"No," Christophe cut her off. In some ways he actually looked worse than she did. His cheeks had sunk hollow, he was pale like the dead and the bags beneath his eyes were dark as night. He was sweaty and greasy and his dark hair was an utter mess. Even the straps on his armor were half done at spots.
"You gonna stop me?"
"I'm gonna stop you," Jeralt put his foot down. "I'm not here to fight. And you're not going to convince me otherwise."
"How am I supposed to get better if I don't train?"
"You've had three years, you're as comfortable as it gets." Jeralt crossed his arms. "You're probably here for something important so out with it."
"We're here to put pressure on Central to avoid assisting the Empire," said Christophe, tired disgust rising in his face.
Jeralt groaned in disgust himself. "I can't believe they've got you two playing a knife against the neck."
"I agree." Christophe's features hardened. "Sham evidence, entirely against your testimonies? Regent Rufus should be removed from power entirely. Not threatening an organization that helped prevent a massacre."
Not that he disagreed. "Keep that kind of talk down. That'll get you in trouble even here."
"Then where?" he hissed out. "Where is justice?"
"That's not something I can answer."
"You're not the only one." Christophe turned downwards.
And Cassandra threw her arm around him. "It's just doom and gloom from him all the time now. It's a real mood killer."
"At least I take this seriously!"
"I take this plenty serious. I just don't let it rule me."
"If you want to do something, join us," Byleth said.
"With what?" her face lit up.
"With nothing," Jeralt sharply said.
Cassandra looked them over. "That sure is equipment not bearing the Crest of Seiros. Reminds me of three years ago."
Unbelievable. "Just fitting it out."
Cassandra's smile spread wide. "Sure you are. But if my old teacher is suddenly busy elsewhere, I'd have no choice but to follow him and not instigate my other task."
I wasn't your teacher… "Are you seriously offering to not deliver official sanctions... because you want to travel with us? Without any idea where we're going?" The sheer level of political blunder that would ensue could be worse than Glenn dying.
"I know exactly where you're going."
"That just makes it worse."
Christophe shouted at her, "The last time you did something so reckless it cost you half your body!" Attention arose from sellers and buyers.
"I've still got half, got Thunderbrand, and I've got you."
"I'm not worth half of you…"
Jeez kid, get some self-respect. Jeralt said, "You graduated from the Officers Academy same as her. You wouldn't be standing here if you weren't capable."
"With no Relic? No way to stop the regent from taxing people into poverty? Some days we barely make sure Gaspard territory runs."
"And you're doing a better job than half the Kingdom," Cassandra said. "Your father even adopted some kids, right?"
"Three kids out of how many without homes? It's not enough. Something needs to be done."
This needed to stop now. "If you beat yourself up for everyone you couldn't save you do a disservice to those you did. Live and do. Wallowing in what didn't happen benefits no one."
"How many times have you repeated those words?" Desperate blame cracking his voice. "Do you lose a night's sleep over Duscur?"
"No, I don't." That was far from the worst massacre he'd been a part of. "Because I survived and brought word that a third party was blameless in the attack. Because the people I helped save made sure the Duscur weren't exterminated for something they didn't do."
"That's… Then what have I done?"
"If you'd not come with reinforcements we might not have made it out."
"That was only because of my incompetence!"
"No," Byleth said, "I left you for my own reasons."
"And he won't listen to me half the time either," Jeralt added.
"Stop… stop trying to forgive me."
"The goddess is about forgiveness for those who want it."
"I…" A bit of color, a bit of edge returned to the man. "I would be honored to accompany you, Sir Jeralt."
Exactly what he didn't want, but entirely where this conversation was going. "I appreciate the gesture, I do. But c'mon… this is a war you're asking to join…"
"Man," said Cassandra, her smile gone wide, I've been trying to break him out of this funk for years and you do it in one conversation. I'm jealous."
"Envious," Byleth (probably) corrected.
"Details. But what do you say, Jeralt?" She leaned in. "Got space in your private group for two crazy kids wanting to swing their swords in the name of justice?"
"Your aid would be appreciated, but I can't accept it. If Thunderbrand flashes across the battlefield what would the Imperial army think?"
"'Wow she's so strong! We can't detain her!'" She smirked. "I hope!"
This was gonna be stupid. "You know what. I will. If you two are serious I'll take you with us." He'd already failed to stop Glenn, may as well make this as huge a diplomatic snarl as he could manage.
"I'm as serious as this about anything."
"This time I'll make sure she stays out of trouble," said Christophe.
"Should I be expecting a ring sometime soon, Christophe?"
"One day with you is difficult enough. The rest of our lives is out of the question."
The two of them laughed at their situation. He missed these two. Would miss them. "Get yourselves suited up in neutral colors." Not that neutral colors would hide a Kingdom Relic. "And, uh, come up with some sort of alias." Not that it would help if she swung Thunderbrand around but whatever they could get. "We're probably gonna be on the march tomorrow."
"And I just made a name for myself as Thunderstrike Cassandra," she groaned.
"No, you didn't," said Christophe.
There was a small smattering of details after that before they scattered towards their new undertaking.
"It's a good idea to bring them," said Byleth.
"I'm gonna disagree with you there," said Jeralt. "Lady Rhea's gonna be harder to convince. Just bringing you alone is gonna be hard fought."
"Why?"
Why indeed? "Because… you're special to her."
"That's why she gives me private lessons?"
"She what?" Jeralt stopped dead in his tracks. And sighed. He couldn't keep his eyes on the kid all the time. Of course she'd get him.
Byleth stopped. "I'll stop, if you want."
Jeralt resumed walking, the two of them did. "No.. just… what does she talk about?"
"The faith. The tenants. The goddess. The history. Swords, brawling, reason and faith."
She was teaching him to fight?! He knew Rhea could handle herself but to personally give lessons was… unprecedented. "Does she do anything that makes you uncomfortable?"
"No." He paused to consider something. "She never calls me by name. But you don't use my name much either."
"Errr… sorry, Byleth."
"It doesn't bother me, Jeralt." Was that a joke? "You're smiling."
"Maybe I am." These slight flashes of humanity were brilliant to see. "But enough about that… What do you think about Cassandra and Cristophe as the other troop leaders?"
"You're giving Cassandra a leadership position?"
"She's got enough personality to lead and she'll obey orders if it's someone she trusts. Which is everyone else in command."
"And if she doesn't?" Care even without tone.
"Subdue her."
Byleth slowly nodded. "Surpassing a Hero's Relic with my own power…" His lips tweaked upwards for just a blink. Was he excited for this?
It was a thought resting in his mind as they underwent the rest of their preparations. Equipment was ready, as well as informing the soon-to-be-excommunicated knights and student of the sudden arrival and assistance of Cassandra and Christophe. There were a lot of accepting nods, some disagreement and Glenn's bright glee at the idea.
There were two final things before they could depart.
There were already flowers on Marigold's grave. Byleth beat him to it. It was even a better offering than Jeralt had.
Then finally came telling Rhea what she already knew.
She and Seteth stood in front of her throne. "Lady Rhea, Seteth. I'm sure you're well aware of my actions this past few days. But the time has come to formally tender my resignation as captain of the Knights of Seiros."
Rhea solemnly nodded. "It fills my heart with grief to hear those words from your lips, Jeralt."
"For what purpose have you decided to leave our service?" asked Seteth.
"The situation in the Empire calls to me. The church's teachings demand I act, but I'll not endanger everyone within the organization for my own whims." Jeralt retrieved a roll of names. "This list contains every person who's agreed to come with me to repel the foreign invasion from Fódlan's shores."
He handed the list off to Seteth. "Most of these are acceptable, but Glenn Fraldarius is a student. And how ever did Cassandra Charon and Christophe Gaspard get on here?"
"Glenn's the type who'd follow even if you told him no or try to restrain him. I'll make sure he's by my kid's side all the time. Cassandra and Christophe I ran into during a trip to the market and 'convinced' them it'd be better to follow me rather than deliver a threat from the Kingdom about making sure the church doesn't get involved."
Rhea's features sharpened like a sword. "It would seem the regent forgets his place."
"Or it's the place he always wanted."
"The crown prince is too young to act out against his uncle," said Seteth. "Once the boy has some political authority, relations with the Kingdom should resume amiably."
"But until then we have to keep them happy." Or less miserable.
"And you've considered the consequences of Kingdom nobility fighting for the Empire, have you?"
Rhea said, "If Thunderbrand were to fall into the Empire's hands there would be no telling what calamity that may bring."
"They're aware, yes," said Jeralt. "But I'm hoping that the assistance we offer is a better idea than instigating a two-front war." Or three front. Whichever.
"It is a great risk," said Rhea. "With your dear child there too, I do not think your attention could focus on all important matters at once."
"My kid can take care of himself these days."
"The last time I permitted him to leave the monastery grounds he was nearly slain."
"He was thirteen then. He's twice the height and three times the swordsmen. He even beat me, just the other day. If anything I want him there to make sure I come back safe."
"Your belief in your child is dear, but the battlefield is unpredictable. Wild, even for men of skill such as yourselves."
Jeralt conceded a nod at that. "We all know the students are sent out on dangerous missions. Sure, most are older than he is, but he can beat anyone in this year's student body. And all of those kids has gone out bandit hunting by this point."
"You must choose, Jeralt. Your son, or Glenn, Cassandra and Christophe. It would ill-benefit the goddess for all such precious beings to be in jeopardy."
What was so special about Byleth? What had she done to be so concerned with him? Was it the Crest? He kept Hanneman from researching his son precisely to keep that hidden. But Rhea had to know at this point. "Have you missed the entire point of this conversation, Lady Rhea?"
"What do you mean?" Tone sharp enough to cut steel now.
"I don't have to follow your commands any more."
"If you insist on treading this path without care for the wellbeing of your son I will not allow it." There it was. Face contorted into guise of utter fury. His son's jailer made manifest. He should have left that day. Never see her face like this again. "The goddess will not condone such mindless disregard for his life."
"I agree with Rhea on this course," Seteth added. "This is not a time for the untested. The academy starts with bandits for a reason." Guess three years ago was a fluke.
"If you intend to restrain me, my son, be done with it for all our sakes. But what do you think is going to happen if you lock us up here?"
Rhea's fury cooled to a downface. "Do you find our holy institution so reprehensible these days, Jeralt? Does the light of the goddess no longer shine in your eyes?"
Not the time for fire. "Forgive my lack of manners, Lady Rhea. Every year my son encounters new people, new students. All leave him. Myself, our professors and your honored selves are near all he has for stability. When the punishment of Duscur was underway he was fraught with concern for Cassandra and Christophe. This would be the same. Worse even. He would follow us regardless, and I think no one could stop him. Even should you imprison him."
Rhea softened her response, "I understand your concerns, your hopes, your dreams for your dear child, Jeralt. His skills are beyond question. But even still he has yet to even enter the Officers Academy. If this were but two years later I would bid him go with the goddess's blessing but as of now he is still too untrained."
No such words for Glenn. "He has graduated five times already in effect. Only a handful through his years have matched him. He's as ready as ever. A time through the Officers Academy won't change that."
"Do you think so little of the other professors?"
"I meant no offense. But the very day news of this invasion was brought to my ears, my son defeated me. And after it, Glenn Fraldarius. Cassandra's been asking for a spar the moment she could. He's ready to act for the will of the goddess." Hidden as that will was. "If only you let him."
"And…" He took a deep breath. "This may be the best chance to catch the instigators of Duscur, and whoever wounded my son in Fhirdiad."
"The pale men?" asked Seteth.
"Our investigations into both showed nothing," said Rhea. "What makes you think you can accomplish what those skilled in the art of deception could not?"
"Because my son was the victim. If by chance he should cross paths with the perpetrator, I hope it wakes his memories."
"That is an incredible unlikelihood."
He nodded. "I know it's a longshot. But it may be the only way we can find out who's behind the events. If it's the Empire at all."
Rhea nodded deep in her own thoughts, letting Seteth resume the lead. "The church's actions across Fódlan are done in full accordance with the local governments. Black Eagles acting in the Kingdom; Blue Lions in the Alliance and Golden Deer in the Empire. Should you embark on this path you will have no coverage, no legitimacy. No protection from the goddess."
"My time as a mercenary may be long ago but I'm still a practiced hand with authorities and leadership."
Rhea conceded a nod. "You have indeed proven your resilience in this conversation. But we would also never wish harm upon you. The same cannot be said of the Empire."
"If the Empire starts killing Fódlans while they're being invaded they'll lose a lot of support." Even while the church's executions were witnessed to no criticism.
"It is still an incredible risk."
"Letting Brigid and Dagda go unopposed is a bigger one."
"I've never known you as one for hubris Jeralt," said Rhea. "Do you think your small scroll of men are enough to turn the tide of a war?"
"In the right position? One person can make a difference. Forty: a lot."
A slight flicker of a smile ran across Seteth's lips at that. "I will leave this decision in the hands of the archbishop. However, for my piece, I am still against it."
"Thank you for your counsel, Seteth," said Rhea, returned to form after her thoughts. "Jeralt, we have known each other for so long. I know more than any other the strength of arms you possess. But your dear sweet child is still unaccustomed to the world. Should you perish in these times, what would become of him?"
"He'll have Alois, or Cassandra or Christophe or Seth or any other member coming with us. Even alone, I trust my son to be able to handle himself. Or at least, return to you." Maybe he wasn't so great a father, arguing to bring his son to war. But he was still some father dammit! "I know this isn't perfect, but one day he will be out fighting like this. Better for him to know how now, when the worst is here. To know what to protect."
"War is not something anyone should experience. Or hope for."
"And we're not so naive to believe the peace between Kingdom and Empire will last." They would have to take a side, one day. The Alliance alone could not help ensure their neutrality.
Rhea was on the verge of a sigh at the implication. Everything she'd done for peace was so easily undone. "Promise… the goddess, that one day you will return." Her hands clapped hard in prayer. Tight enough to turn her knuckles white.
"I do solemnly swear, upon my name, Jeralt Reus Eisner, that I will do everything in my power to return my son and myself and all under our command alive."
"Go, Jeralt, go and find victory."
"At once, Lady Rhea." He turned away from the bafflement of Seteth and concesion of Rhea. He had to leave. Leave before her mind swayed back.
Conversations like these, victories like these, or her answering his pleas about Duscur… they made it so easy to lower his guard. Rhea was not a monster of any kind, but she had her agenda and a hundred years of keeping the church a neutral power made her a master of the game. She knew how to manipulate her rules when it made the most sense. All things done in accordance with the will of the goddess and she was her voice. When it was on his side he appreciated her arbitration, but now that it was a constant set of control with his son's future on the line she was someone to be wary of. Certainly someone in the list was a spy, as the spies in Fhirdiad kept eyes on them at all times save when they should have.
But she agreed because finding out the truth of Fhirdiad and Duscur was worth the risk. It would be the perfect chance to finally hunt down Volkhard von Arundel and beat answers from his slimy face.
AN: A timeskip probably wasn't in anyone's predictions, huh? Though someone is right about something hmm hmm.
Anyway, NaNo's done, and I actually finished Broken Blade entirely in that time. So, hopefully, weekly updates until Broken Blade is finished and we move unto Three Houses proper from Byleth's perspective.