Chapter Four: Conspiracies and Crossbows

"When he heard the death rattle, Gilgamesh moaned
like a dove. His face grew dark. "Beloved,
wait, don't leave me. Dearest of men,
don't die, don't let them take you from me."
-The Epic of Gilgamesh, translated by Stephen Mitchell

Nunnally was woken up by the sound of the door being shut. She pushed herself upright, looking around the room. Everything was set out for her day, but the fire was down to embers. The servant must have come to put out the fire, which meant that she had slept far longer than she had intended. There were still many things that she had to get done and she had very little daylight to work in. Not only that, but she had a guest.

She groaned and let herself flop backward. She had come in very late the night before, guiding Milly Ashford into Avalon. The ride had left her exhausted, because it had been double the amount of riding she had done since her legs had ceased to work. She had only taken short excursions to build up her stamina and because she had little time for anything longer. Nunnally was sure that she had marks in her skin from the straps that had secured her in the saddle. She knew that her back was sore from the position she had kept.

Nunnally reached down to rub at her back, hissing at the pain. As much as she hated the idea, the litter sounded like a good alternative to riding if she was going out. Nunnally was sure that she wanted to remain inside for the day. She was sure that Milly would want to stay in as well. They were both exhausted from the ride, Milly more so than her. It was just like Milly to decide to ride to Avalon with only the minimal amount of guards, especially when there was a criminal on the loose. Nunnally would have to speak to her about that reason soon, before Calares spoke with her. In the meantime, she would focus on just getting out of bed.

Nunnally reached over to ring the bell on her table, surprised when Sayoko answered almost immediately. The maid bowed, stepping quickly aside to allow another servant through. Sayoko smiled down at her. "I thought I saw you waking up earlier when I came to check on you. Breakfast waits for you along with Lady Ashford."

"She's up already?" Nunnally threw the covers back, waving the servant over. "Why wasn't I told about this?"

"She only woke up recently. I was on my way to tell you when you called."

Nunnally nodded, wrapping one arm around the man's neck, using it to steady herself. The man walked out of the room, Nunnally twisting around to look at Sayoko. She was already tidying up the room, able to get more down with Nunnally out of the room. Nunnally sighed and twisted back to look at the hallway. Normally, she would demand to get dressed before breakfast, but the thought of being carefully lifted and helped into her kirtle and surcoat for the day made her body ache. Being carried hurt as well, Nunnally holding her position so she wouldn't throw off the servant's balance. She would worry about the proper dress after she ate, when she'd given her aching muscles time to relax.

The man carried her into the solar, Milly already waiting for her. Nunnally smiled, pulling her chemise down further. She was set down in a chair, Nunnally motioning for the man to lean over. "Make sure that we are not disturbed."

She saw him nod out of the corner of his eye, Nunnally's full attention on Milly. Her friend was already smiling, sipping at her drink. Nunnally leaned forward, ignoring all proper manners at the moment. "How are you feeling?"

"Sore and tired. I would demand a tour of Avalon, but I think that a day of rest is in order." Milly grinned at her. "The problem is that I'm not sure that I can ask the same from you. You're the lady of the castle."

Nunnally nodded slowly, biting her lip. She wished that it could be like before, when she and Milly could go play in the gardens with Lelouch. That would have been back when she could walk, but Nunnally wouldn't mind just sitting with Milly. They were both too old for childish games, but there was still a kind of companionship that Nunnally desired. She hadn't had anyone like that since Lelouch had been killed.

She took a deep breath and looked over at Milly. "Yes, especially since I took the day off to go and meet you."

"I expected as much." Milly reached out to grab a slice of bread, inspecting it before biting into it. Milly chewed and swallowed quickly. "So we'll just have to tackle business now."

Nunnally gaped at the quick turn around, trying to catch up. Then again, it was Milly all over. She nodded, leaning forward and trying to get her still sleepy brain to work. "Alright, business first."

Milly sat back. "Good, because I can't be too sure when my parents will call me back. They won't care about the mater that I've come here for. It's about Rivalz Cardemonde, the criminal that was brought here." Nunnally sucked in a quick breath, Milly not seeming to notice. "He was originally convicted for stealing, but the sentence was suddenly extended because he was a magician, which wasn't true."

Nunnally gripped the table tightly, her eyes widening. She hadn't wanted to hang the magicians in the first place. The fact that people were trying to convict others without proof didn't surprise her, she had just hoped that she could have put a stop to it. Apparently the people that she had placed in the positions to avoid this very end were corrupt. She would now have to check them and replace them if need be, another thing to be attended to immediately.

She sighed and released the table, not meeting Milly's gaze. "I was aware that he had been sent here and escaped, but not the fact that he couldn't work magic. I had thought…we have checks on this."

"I understand." Milly reached out to pat Nunnally's hand. "You can't do everything on your own. I'm not angry, I just need information. I heard that there is a group of guards looking for him."

"Yes."

Milly nodded slowly. "Then could I ask you a favor? When they catch him, have them bring him back to Ashingford. I know it's much to ask, but I don't want him to be hanged here."

"I agree but…it's a reputation thing." Nunnally sighed. "He could come back to Avalon, just for the validation of our guard. I could make the decision to give him back to Ashingford for his punishment, but that's all I can do."

"Well, I don't have the authority to pull the guards from Ashingford, my mother is too afraid to allow it." Milly sighed. "I just…I just can't let him die. I know his mother. I can give her a job, but that won't fix anything."

"Of course it won't." There was nothing they could do for the families, nothing satisfying at least. Nunnally shook her head, she could only do so much for Milly, but she would do her best. It had been wrong to hold Rivalz anyway. At the most, he would have gotten his hand cut off. The punishment wasn't any better, but it was far better than death.

Nunnally looked up at Milly, nodding resolutely. "I'll bring him here and then hand him over. That's all I can do."

"Then I'll take it." Milly smiled and leaned back in her seat. "Anything that will help and the same goes for you. I know you might need it up against the doubters and those in power."

It was a kind of power exchange, of help and Nunnally would be a fool not to take it. One day, Milly would have some control of her estate and Nunnally would still be in Avalon. She couldn't see either of them giving up their control any time soon. It would be good to have an ally, for her own sake. There would be others that would be like Calares, people that would try to take Avalon away from her. Having Milly by her side would be a smart move, both for her own emotional state and politically.

"Anything else?"

"Maybe, but I can wait until you've eaten and gotten some of the work done. I have to think about how to phrase it. And to get a group of people so you'll have proof enough so that no one can argue with you. And, tomorrow, you can give me the grand tour. I want to see everything that's changed."

In the face Milly's enthusiasm, all Nunnally could do was laugh and agree. It would be a good break, however brief it would be. Perhaps it would give her the chance to see what had to be repaired before the winter and Euphemia came.

Nunnally reached for a plate of the last fruit of the fall, wanting to enjoy them before they were all used in preserves. She pulled a piece of bread towards her, relaxing as Milly started up a steady stream of conversation through breakfast. It was so wonderful to have someone with her instead of empty chairs staring at her, a reminder of everything that she had lost. Now that she had things under control, she would have to make more of an effort to entertain. She wouldn't go to the extremes that some of the ladies went to in Pendragon or Milly's parents, just something to fill up the halls of Avalon again.

Rivalz shook his head, trying to keep himself awake. They had stopped long enough for the sun to rise before he had been thrown over the horse. He hadn't been able to sleep on the ride, or as he was moved from horse to horse. He had just dozed on and off before being woken up. He wasn't even sure of where they were; just that he was going back to Avalon. That should have made him shiver, but he was too tired to react to anything but the nudges that he was given to keep him awake. The guards were probably trying to keep him exhausted while they rode.

Shouts made him look up, watching as Jeremiah turned around. Rivalz guessed that it meant that the scouts were coming back. He lifted his head, narrowing his eyes when only one was coming back. From the look on Jeremiah's face, the captain wasn't surprised. Someone had been sent back to deliver the news to Avalon. Rivalz expected the gallows to be ready as soon as he was brought in. There was no going back to the dungeons for him.

He hung his head again, allowing himself to just rock with the motion of the horse. It wasn't enough to get him to panic, not quite yet. There were still a few days to ride. He would only panic if he started to be carried away in stages, which would get him to Avalon faster.

Rivalz glanced to the side as the scout cantered up to where Jeremiah rode. He sighed, getting cuffed on the side of his head. He took the blow silently. Instead, he turned his attention to the surrounding plains.

He had heard that once the north had been completely covered in forests. The church even had a story about a saint who had come to the north of Britannia to convert the few tribes that eked out a living in the forests. Rivalz forgot the saint's name, but he did remember that the man had showed the tribes how to plant crops and build settlements. He had taught them the ways of civilized people and, in doing so, cleared large swathes of forest into the plains that he saw now.

Rivalz was sure that half of the story wasn't true, that it was the church mixing together saints with old folk tales. But it did seem strange to him that there would be deep, thick forests and then suddenly plains where farmers grew grains and hay. He could see a few haystacks left, farmers with their carts coming out to collect those last stacks. Rivalz was sure that, if he turned, he would see a few farmhouses, nothing big enough to be a village. They were heading towards one of them, probably to appropriate food for the rest of their journey.

As he expected, they came to a stop by the house, Jeremiah sending in two people to bully food out of the people. Rivalz sighed and allowed himself to slump forward. What Jeremiah did wasn't his business, Rivalz just wanted to sleep. He yawned and shut his eyes, getting what felt like only a moment of sleep before he was being shaken awake.

Jeremiah grinned at him before settling back into the saddle. "Stay awake. We'll need you soon."

Rivalz didn't get a chance to ask why he had to before he was distracted by the movement of the rest of the guard. Even half asleep, he could see that it wasn't the usual movement that came with setting up camp, for one no one was dismounting. The guards that had been sent into the farmhouse for food were just distributing it among the men, who were eating it in the saddle. Rivalz shook his head in an attempt to remain awake a bit longer. This was something that he felt he couldn't miss.

Jeremiah had returned to talking with the farmer, although the man seemed nervous. Rivalz shifted in the saddle, catching sight of the man's wife and children running out of the house. That made no sense, considering that the soldiers were withdrawing to a safe distance to eat and they seemed to be on friendly enough terms with the guards. Only the father remained, heading out to work, which was strange. He would need the help to finish up for the autumn harvest, to survive for the winter. Rivalz tried to stand up, but he was pushed back down.

He shot a glance over his shoulder, but the guard didn't notice. Rivalz frowned and looked around, searching for other clues to what was going on. He had thought that they would ride straight for Pendragon, but they had stopped for something and it had to be important. The only important thing that Rivalz could think of was himself, because he could bring them glory and bring up the reputation of Avalon. The only thing better than him was Lelouch.

Rivalz tensed, giving the arrangement of the guards another look over. All of the guards had something to hide behind, something that would hide them from the road. It was a trap for Lelouch and he was the bait. It wasn't too hard to guess that Lelouch would have agreed to meet him on the other side of the Kinver River. All Jeremiah had to do was wait and he would get Lelouch as well. It was enough to make him wish that he had found that rock earlier.

He fidgeted on the horse, looking around for something. There had to be a way to warn Lelouch, a signal or the chance to wave Lelouch's bird down. Neither of those chances were very likely, but Rivalz was disappointed that he hadn't been able to defend himself, he had barely been able to run. He might have been better off staying in prison or running right back to his mother. There was a chance that he could have managed on his own.

"Stay still." Rivalz yelped as he was shoved back into place. He twisted to glare at the ground, getting a slap to his head. "Don't make me switch you to someone else. Believe me, I'm the best of them."

"Trouble?"

Rivalz winced as the guard saluted, the guard's elbow hitting the back of his head. "The prisoner is getting antsy."

"So he's finally figured out what is going on? Good." Jeremiah leaned back in the saddle, considering Rivalz to a degree that made him shiver. The reaction made Jeremiah smile, the captain of the guard finally moving away. "Tie him up now and pass him to Kewell, we'll need you free."

"Of course." The guard grabbed the collar of his shirt, Rivalz reaching back to claw at the guard's hand. He heard the guard laugh before he was shoved off the horse's back.

He rolled as he hit the ground, Rivalz clutching at the back of his head. Rivalz remained curled on the ground until he was sure that he wouldn't be hit again. He peeked out from under his arm, watching as the guard rode away. Jeremiah stepped close, keeping him from just running away. Rival glanced up at Jeremiah as he sat up, only the smallest amount of pride that he had left kept him from just holding his hands out. He wouldn't fight when they came to tie him up, but he wouldn't make it easier for them. He also wouldn't help them trap Lelouch, he would run before that happened.

"Kewell, bring a rope and then haul Cardemonde on the back of your horse. If things go wrong you are to ride back to Avalon, but only on my orders."

Rivalz didn't look over at Kewell, focused on glaring at Jeremiah as the captain of the guard began to order the others around. He kept glaring at Jeremiah until he was dragged away.

Lelouch braced himself in his stirrups, looking around. His bird was flying overhead, catching its breakfast. Lelouch would let it; they would be travelling a long distance. He had no idea how far Rivalz had gotten the night before, he had been otherwise occupied.

Lelouch had gotten to the banks of the Kinver, but never close enough to see where Jeremiah and the others were He could only hope that Rivalz had escaped, because the guards were gone when he had crossed the river.

The eagle shrieked and dove, Lelouch turning his head at the squeak of a small animal. He settled back down in the saddle, letting Gawain graze.

There had been a dead body back at the camp, one with its throat cut and Lelouch doubted that Rivalz had managed that. He cut was too long for a crossbow bolt; it was made by a sword. Either they had an ally in the guard, which Lelouch severely doubted, or someone else had come to help. Lelouch wasn't sure whether he should be thankful or worried. Someone else was following them, and Lelouch didn't have many people that still liked him. For all he knew, it could be someone else who wanted Rivalz and Lelouch, but Lelouch doubted that as well.

The other option was nothing that Lelouch would allow himself to think about.

He looked back up as his bird settled back onto his perch. Lelouch turned to stroke his fingers over the bird's head. "Thank you."

The eagle chattered in reply, pushing up against Lelouch's hand. Lelouch smiled, spending a few more moments stroking the bird before turning around. He pulled Gawain's head up and nudged the horse forward. Still fresh from the night before, Gawain leaped forward, eagerly galloping away from the banks of the Kinver. Lelouch rocked forward, settling into position as the eagle screamed and flapped to stay on the perch. He wanted to reach out and steady the eagle, but he was sure that it would just bite him. The eagle would blame him for the rough ride.

He let Gawain gallop, not to exhaust him but to keep the stallion from getting too frisky. Rivalz wouldn't appreciate the stallion attempting to run some more. The man didn't ride well enough to feel comfortable and Lelouch didn't want Rivalz clinging to him, not after a morning spent dreaming about Suzaku. He wanted to hold onto his fantasy a little while longer. It was all he had.

Lelouch pulled Gawain up, the horse tossing his head but settling. He didn't want to gallop into a farming community, they might panic. It would also draw unwanted attention, something he did not need. Lelouch didn't want to be run out of Britannia. Nippon would be friendly to him, but it was too far away. He wanted to get his revenge done now before he lost patience and just charged in. Lelouch wanted the surety that Calares would be dead if he was going attack the bishop in Avalon.

As it was, he was getting strange looks from the farmers out in the fields. It wasn't normal for someone with a horse and eagle, all signs of nobility, to be riding on his own. But he didn't look the part, his clothes road worn. Still, he could pass as a rich man, but no one in their right mind would be traveling north because there was nothing there, only the ruins of the castles that Britannian nobles had made attempting to conquer the northern tribes. All of them empty and broken.

Lelouch reached back his right hand, the eagle stepping onto it. He pulled the eagle close, not liking the way the farmers were eyeing the bird. No one would remember him from his days in Avalon. He had not been one to ride all over the countryside to inspect his lands. Besides, all of them thought he was dead. None of them would think to ignore what the church had said; especially when a hero like Calares told them what had happened. That was something in his favor, at least until he had run into Jeremiah.

He looked around, tightening his grip on the reins. The situation was making him nervous, the stares and the number of people in the fields. He was outnumbered, and that was never good. He shifted his hold on the eagle's jesses, offering the bird support for when he moved off. "Let's find Rivalz."

The bird didn't respond, but Lelouch hadn't expected one. He shook his head and urged Gawain into a trot. But the horse didn't quite listen. Gawain snorted and tossed his head, skittering sideways. Lelouch gritted his teeth and straightened the horse out. Gawain sidled again, letting out a soft whinny. The sound made Lelouch tense, but he relaxed a moment later. There were probably horses around and Gawain lived and lonely existence. It was unfair to the horse, but Lelouch wouldn't have the chance to make it up to the horse.

"Come on." Gawain finally settled, walking in a straight line down the road. Lelouch smiled and relaxed, swaying easily with Gawain's walk.

They meandered down the road, passing by huge haystacks, ready to be taken into barns for the winter. Everything looked alright, but Calares was still in control of the people, which made them just as corrupt as the people in Avalon. Lelouch had no intention of being their savior, but it was a welcome side effect.

A yelp startled him from his consideration of the countryside, Lelouch pulling Gawain to a stop. He looked around, catching a hint of movement behind a haystack. He tossed the eagle into the air to free his right hand. As the eagle circled above his head, Lelouch reached for his sword. He jerked his hand back as a crossbow bolt thudded into his saddlebag.

Gawain screamed and bolted, Lelouch thrown onto the horse's neck. He scrambled for the reins, turning his head to look at the crossbow bolt. He couldn't see any blood, but the arrow could have poked the horse hard enough to startle Gawain. Lelouch rocked back into the saddle, stroking Gawain's neck. He reached back to tug the crossbow bolt out. Lelouch looked it over, clutching at it tightly when he saw that there was a bit of blood on the tip. He grabbed his crossbow and loaded the bolt, turning it toward the haystack.

He wasn't going to rush in, not when he could risk getting Gawain killed. He had been stupid enough to ride right into an ambush, too busy worrying about the future and meeting Rivalz to see what had really happened. Jeremiah wouldn't have left the ford unless he was sure that Rivalz had passed. In that case, he would have discovered the body on the ground and Lelouch wouldn't have gotten out of the forest so easily. The only reason he would have left was because he had gotten Rivalz. Lelouch should have realized that Jeremiah would have set up a trap to catch the both of them.

Something moved to his right, Lelouch twisting to shoot the bolt. It hit the guard's shoulder, the man falling off his horse with a scream. He had just enough time to load the next bolt before the guards were charging. Lelouch gritted his teeth and dropped the reins, guiding Gawain with his legs as he turned his horse to face the guards.

He was able to pick off two more, fumbling the third bolt. Lelouch shouted as a guard rode by and slashed his shoulder. Lelouch nearly dropped the crossbow, purposefully tightening his fingers around the stock of the weapon. He looked up, carefully counting the guards. There was one missing from the count already, minus the dead guard back in the woods, which meant that there was one still hiding and Rivalz would be with him. Lelouch didn't like the odds.

Lelouch aimed his next shot carefully, killing one guard instead of aiming for a less fatal part. He didn't care in the end, as long as he got away. Lelouch loaded the next bolt, about to turn Gawain again when he heard the twang of another bowstring. He ducked automatically, hoping that the bolt would miss him. He didn't hear the rush as the bolt went past, but he did hear the thump and the screech that followed.

He looked up, watching as the eagle floundered in the air before crumpling. It let out a pitiful scream before it hit the ground.

"No!" Lelouch didn't recognize his own voice as he screamed. He wasn't even aware that he screamed; too busy looking around for the person who had fired. He saw Kewell lowering a crossbow, not even noticing that he had raised his own crossbow and shot.

Kewell clutched at his throat, gargling as he fell off his horse. Lelouch didn't bother to watch Kewell die, his attention was already on the other guards. He had to keep them away from the bird, because it couldn't die. He wouldn't be able to live with himself if that happened. Lelouch clipped the crossbow back into place, drawing his sword. With two of their members down, Lelouch hoped that they would run. Most of his just wanted to make them all pay. A few of them were already running away, ignoring Jeremiah's calls for order. Lelouch grinned and charged forward.

He brought his sword down on one of the guards, riding past to slash at another one. Lelouch glanced over his shoulder, wheeling Gawain around.

Jeremiah was behind him, brandishing his sword. Lelouch raised his arm in response only to have Jeremiah's mare squeal and rush forward. Jeremiah dropped his sword, clinging to the neck of his mare as she raced after the others.

Lelouch turned to see what had made the mare run, surprised when he saw Rivalz standing in the middle of the road, another stone in his hands. Lelouch gave Rivalz a short nod, slipping off of Gawain and throwing the reins at Rivalz.

He didn't bother to check if Rivalz caught them, already jogging to where his eagle had fallen. Lelouch dropped to his knees, his hands hovering over the bird.

The eagle was making soft sounds of distress, pressing against the ground. One wing was tucked close to its side to make the bird look smaller, but the other was stretched out, unable to fold because of how the arrow had hit it. Blood matted the eagle's chest feathers, making it hard to see how deep the bolt was. And, from the panicked look on the bird's face, Lelouch wasn't going to be able to do anything until the eagle calmed down, which wouldn't be until well after sunset. By then it could be too late.

Lelouch bit his lip and looked to the north, staring at the mountains. He wouldn't be able to help his eagle himself, but he knew someone that could. It would have to be done quickly, and not by him.

"Rivalz!" He pulled off his cloak, hearing Rivalz lead Gawain over. Lelouch leaned over, gently dropping the cloak over the bird.

The eagle calmed as soon as soon as its vision was blocked, Lelouch wrapping the rest of the cloak around it. He made sure that the injured wing and side wouldn't be too restricted before holding out the bundle. "Get on Gawain."

"But-"

"Now Rivalz!"

Rivalz threw the reins over Gawain's head but made no move to mount. "Listen, I'm sorry about your bird."

"You can still save him." Lelouch stared at Rivalz, frustrated when the man didn't move. "You don't understand. He's all I have left. I can't ever see Suzaku again and my sister hates me. I can't lose this!"

Rivalz hesitated long enough that Lelouch was sure that Rivalz would refuse. Lelouch could only expect so much from the man, but this might be the limit. He glanced at the sky before looking back at Gawain. He could make part of the ride before having to stop. There was still a chance that the eagle could die, but it would be better than just waiting.

He went to push past Rivalz, stopping when Rivalz rested a hand on his shoulder. "Wait. What do you need me to do?"

Lelouch breathed a sigh of relief, tilting his head towards Gawain. "I need you to ride to one of the old ruins in the mountains, Aries Villa."

"Where?"

"You'll see if it you ride along this ridge towards the mountains. It's the only ruin that can be seen from the road." Lelouch cradled the bird close as Rivalz hopped awkwardly onto Gawain's back. He reached out to steady the horse as Rivalz settled. As soon as Rivalz was seated, Lelouch held up the bird. Rivalz was slow to take it. It was only when Lelouch nearly shoved he eagle in his arms that Rivalz took the bird, tucking it carefully into the crook of one arm. At a loss of what to do, Lelouch patted Gawain's neck. "Aries Villa, remember."

"Yes. But what do I do once I get there?"

"Call for C.C, she'll know what to do. Ride through the night if you have to. Just get him there."

"And what about you?"

"I'll meet you there. Just go."

For a moment, Rivalz looked like he was about to panic, but then he nodded. Rivalz gathered up the reins in one hand before turning Gawain towards the mountains. "I'll see you there."

Lelouch turned to watch as Gawain trotted off, wincing as the horse sped up into a canter. It was the best he could make of the situation; there was no way around it if he wanted the eagle to live. It was hard to just let the bird go, especially since they had been together for so long. He shivered and wrapped his arms around himself, feeling his legs give out. He collapsed onto his knees, watching Gawain until he couldn't see the horse any more.

He hung his head, taking deep breaths to keep himself calm. After all of the trust that Rivalz had put in him, it was only fair that he do the same. It was just hard because Rivalz had his entire world and Lelouch had never felt that he could lose it so easily before. Lelouch licked his lips, intending to pray to a God that he barely believed in only to stop himself. There was nothing to say that wouldn't sound like begging and he was already low enough as it was. He shivered again and settled for mentally urging Rivalz onward.

Jeremiah pulled his mare up, staring at the remaining guard that was following him. They looked panicked, probably because they had thought that it would be easy to catch the fugitive. They hadn't expected Lelouch to be alive, but no one had been expecting that. But it had been better when they had more numbers. Now, against all odds, they felt out numbered even when it was just Lelouch. Then again, Lelouch was a convicted magician. It would be better to return to Avalon for more men before going after Lelouch again.

He gestured for the small group to come closer, motioning towards Avalon. It was the right choice because they all looked relieved. He would have to make sure that his next group was made up of all purebloods; they would handle the job better than the superstitious northerners. They would be able to catch both Lelouch and Rivalz in one fell swoop, long before Calares could get his chance. Jeremiah couldn't allow Calares to show him up again.

He tugged his mare's head around, letting her sidle in front of the rest of the guards. His horse was still smarting from the rock, reluctant to put her full weight on her left hind leg. He hoped that she would last until he got back to Avalon, she was his best horse.

Jeremiah quieted her with a pat and looked at the few men that he had left. While he knew that they were all eager to get back home, get back to where they were safe, he didn't want to lose Lelouch and Rivalz. Losing them would mean searching all of the north with winter coming in and would lose them any advantage that they had gained. Jeremiah scratched the back of his neck before nodding to himself. "We'll return to Avalon to regroup, but we won't give up the chase. We can't just let magicians run rampant over the countryside."

There wasn't any dissent, but he couldn't see any drive either. It was the reason that he needed more purebloods, they wouldn't balk. Jeremiah sighed and backed the mare up, letting the others go past.

He did stop to grab James' shoulder as he passed. The man slowed down, riding beside him. "Captain?"

"I need you to follow after the demon." He saw James start, but forced himself to ignore it. There was no one else that he would want for this job, he needed someone that he could trust to keep in contact with him, one that he could leave to work on their own. But he wouldn't leave James on his own, not with Lelouch still at large. Jeremiah patted James' shoulder. "I don't trust anyone else."

It was good that Kewell was gone at least; leaving him with the few purebloods that he knew could follow orders well. Jeremiah couldn't imagine what would have happened if he had come back with Kewell. Everything that he had worked so hard on would end up meaning nothing. Jeremiah turned his head to look at James. "You can get your pick of the scouts. Can you do that?"

To his relief, James was quick to respond. "Of course. We can't have this."

James whistled, riding forward to tap one of the northerner's shoulders. The two of them peeled away from the group, Jeremiah watching them go carefully.

He was glad that he had sent the scouts back to Avalon before the failed ambush, the report would look better that way. Jeremiah was sure that none of the guard would argue against him when he told a new version of the events. None of them would want to look bad when they had lost both of their captives when they had the upper hand. All of the men would appreciate the honor that would come from fighting off a magic attack. They would be brave soldiers fighting the demon, which would mean knocking Calares down a peg, more than enough of a reason. And then the people would beg for him to continue. That would save his position for sure. It would give him the chance that he needed to demand why Calares had lied about the demon in the first place. That was a mystery he wanted desperately to know the answer to. He had a feeling that the people would want the answer as well.

Jeremiah smiled to himself, urging the mare forward to join the rest. At least the demon was distracted by his eagle for whatever reason. Maybe Kewell had finally been useful with that last shot. Kewell had hit the demon's familiar, which would give them the chance to run. Jeremiah would give Kewell some credit, just enough to satisfy the Soresi family. He didn't want to make another enemy.

He gave the open countryside a way glance. They may have bought themselves some time, but there was no telling exactly how much. Lelouch could come after them at any moment, ten times as angry as before because they had killed his familiar. Jeremiah could only hope that the demon's powers would be decreased with the death of his familiar, but he couldn't be sure. The only experts in magic that he knew were in the Avalon dungeons or in the church, two sources that he couldn't quite trust. It would be better to run while they could and regroup later. Then they would have to figure out how to kill Lelouch.

The rope had worked well enough for the others, but this was the preeminent magician of the north, the one person who had been so completely consumed by magic that he had killed his mother. And then, through Calares' failure, the demon had lived for another two years. Jeremiah was sure that extra time had made Lelouch into something that they had never seen before. There was a possibility that the rope wouldn't work. That was another thing to look into when they got back, another delay to deal with. But Jeremiah was not willing to let the demon go a second time, not when it meant letting Lady Marianne go without revenge any longer. He owed that to his lady.

Calares watched the scouts mill around in the courtyard with a frown. He drummed his fingers against the stone railing before turning away, leaving them to Nunnally. The news would interest her more than it did him. Now, on top of his inability to sleep, his stomach would not stop twisting.

They had found Lelouch.

The fact alone was enough to send him into a panic. Jeremiah and the guards knew that Lelouch was still alive, and they were going to tell the rest of the castle. Soon the whole north would know, and it would be more than the rare ghost stories that came up. The glory that should have been his would be stolen, but that barely mattered. The state of his neck was more important. No one would allow him to live after such a mistake, and the timing couldn't have been worse with the archbishop coming to Avalon. Action would have to be taken faster than anticipated.

Calares strode towards the castle, seeking out one of the young pages that were always lingering around. Thankfully, the season was right for what he needed, the man would not be too hard to find.

A group of the pages were loitering by the front of the castle, probably trying to listen in on the conversation between Nunnally and he guards. He cleared his throat as he approached, watching as the boys jumped and tried to scatter. Calares reached out to grab one by the shoulder, preventing the boy from running back into the castle, his other duties could wait.

The boy struggled in his grip for a moment before slumping. With a nervous smile, the boy looked back at him. "Your grace."

Calares ignored the greeting, letting the boy go and giving him a nudge in the direction of the barn. "I need you to ride for Stowden and find a trapper for me, a man by the name of Luciano."

The boy looked confused for a moment. "But-"

"There have been reports of wolves recently. That they are happening so soon makes me worry. If they are going after humans already, food must be very scarce. I want to thin out as many as I can before more people are killed." When the boy looked over to where Nunnally was sitting, Calares shook his head. "Lady Nunnally already knows about the problem but, considering the news that was just brought, I thought it would be better to handle the situation myself."

"Of course, your grace." The boy bowed and dashed off, Calares shaking his head. Nunnally's name was as good as money to the people of Avalon, he would have to be careful not to overuse it.

He walked back to his cell, just listening to the sounds of Avalon settling down for the night. Even with the distressing news, life continued onward. He would leave Nunnally to handle the people while he focused on the cause of the panic.

At least no one could fault Luciano; the man had a good established reputation as a trapper. Most of the nobles in the north bought from Luciano because the man was good at his job. People thought that Luciano was just carrying on the family business, but Luciano' father had been part of the Knights of the Round. And, up until he had been charged with using magic, Luciano had done the same. Calares had been the one to bring Luciano up north in the hopes that the man could help him with his problems.

In retrospect, learning magic from Luciano had caused him more problems than it solved. Still, after everything that he had done for Luciano, the trapper owed him a favor. The best part was that Luciano would need very few instructions; he would know the wolf that he had been sent after, the eagle too. Perhaps, after he was sure that Lelouch was dead, Calares would cut his losses and kill Luciano too. The man knew far too much for Calares to be safe.

He slipped into his cell, shaking his head at the furs that were spread over the room. Calares had hoped that some of the other trappers would have captured Lelouch by now. But none of them pelts were right, Calares could just tell. He grumbled to himself and swept some of the pelts off the bed. None of them were useful for his purposes, except for some kind of twisted revenge. With the winter coming, Nunnally would need a new cloak and it would be satisfying for him if it was made out of the pelt of a wolf. Then, if he was in a really bad mood, he could just imagine that Nunnally was wearing her brother's skin without knowing it.

Calares turned to the trapper still waiting, waving the man away. "Find the lady of the castle. She would be a better customer than myself."

The man bowed and began to collect his wares, Calares turning away from him again. Now he had to work on a way to bring Jeremiah and the others back, or put them off the scent for the time it took Luciano to work. There was also another plan to be made up, in case Luciano failed him as well. If that turned out to be the case, then Calares would be more than happy to turn Jeremiah loose on the countryside and damn the consequences. He wouldn't let his involvement get out to the common people.

Calares sat down heavily on his bed, clutching at the blanket. He had enough things in motion that he should be safe, but the thought did nothing to stop his stomach from twisting. At a loss of what to do, Calares slid off the bed to kneel, folding his hands and shutting his eyes. He bent his head and began to pray.

Rivalz clung onto Gawain's mane with the hand that was holding the reins. He checked the road that they were riding on, wanting to make sure that he was still on course. The last thing that Rivalz wanted to do was to stray away from the road, because he could remember how frantic Lelouch had been when he had passed up the eagle. After seeing how Lelouch lived for the past two years, how there was nothing but the road and his animals for him, Rivalz didn't want to be the one responsible for losing the one thing that Lelouch had left to care about.

The eagle made a distressed noise, Rivalz looking down and trying to calm it. "Hold on, okay? We're almost there."

It felt like a lie, even though Rivalz didn't know how close they were. He had thought that he would have been at the ruins of the castle by now. Lelouch had said that it was easy to spot if he rode along the ridge, but he was already in the mountains. He was surrounded by mountains and he had been riding most of the day. Even now Gawain was hard to keep moving, the horse stumbling every so often. Rivalz knew that they would have to stop soon. But Lelouch had said that it was only a day's ride away, and he had been pushing Gawain as hard as he could. He should have been there, but he was still stuck in the mountains. And Rivalz wasn't sure how much longer the eagle would last. He could feel a wet spot forming through the cloak.

Rivalz ducked his head, looking down at the bird. "I'm sorry, I tried but…"

It was the story of his life; he was always trying and failing. Rivalz had always hoped that he would at least make a difference one day. So far, nothing had worked. He had even failed at being a villain. Rivalz shook his head and looked back at the road. "Sorry."

Gawain stumbled to a stop, Rivalz dropping the reins and stroking the horse's neck. The stallion had done more than enough. Rivalz took a deep breath and looked around. He wasn't going to give up now, not when there was still a chance. It was what he was good at, soldiering on until the end. He would find that ruin even if he had to walk the rest of the way.

He was about to slide out of the saddle when Gawain perked up, Rivalz leaning over to stare at the horse. He could see Gawain's nostrils quivering, not sure if what Gawain was smelling was friend or foe. Rivalz shifted the eagle into a more easily defensible position. He held his position until he heard Gawain whinny.

Rivalz laughed and patted Gawain's neck. "There's nothing out there but mountains."

The horse snorted and whinnied again. Rivalz went to urge him forward when there was an answering call.

He turned to look around, trying to see where the sound had come from. He gathered up the reins, about to back Gawain away when he heard the jingle of metal. Rivalz stood up in the stirrups, watching as a white cloaked woman on a grey horse rode into view. He reached back for a weapon, freezing when the person pulled back their hood, revealing herself.

The woman stared at him, flipping her long hair over her shoulder. "You're not Lelouch."

"No." It took Rivalz a moment to recover from the shock. He had never expected to find anyone else in the mountains. "No, but he sent me."

Rivalz shifted so she could see the bundle that the bird was in. The woman tipped her head to the side and urged her horse forward. Rivalz stood his ground despite the way that he was shaking. He didn't know the woman and he didn't trust her. He didn't trust anyone outside of Lelouch and his mother anymore. But their situation was bad and Rivalz didn't know who else to turn to.

He cleared his throat and shifted in the saddle. "Can you help it?"

"Him."

"What?"

"The eagle is male." The woman leaned over, peering into the bundle. She reached out to touch the arrow, making a face. "And I can help him, if we hurry. I want some light to set up everything."

"Lelouch said-"

"Aries Villa, right? You were close, would have made it on your own." She shrugged and backed her horse up, turning it back towards the road. Rivalz thought that he was going to have to do everything he could to move Gawain forward, but the horse walked forward eagerly.

He gathered up the reins again as the woman led him along the road, turning his head as they came around the bend.

The mountain had been hiding the ruin that he was looking for. Rivalz narrowed his eyes as he looked at the crumbling mansion. It was not the ruin that he thought it would be. It looked like the villas that he had seen while he was living in the south. It was all airy, columns and open spaces, nothing like the solid castles that he had gotten used to. Rivalz could see why it had been abandoned; the style wouldn't have worked in the north, not before the tribes had either been integrated or driven out.

"It was supposed to be a retreat for one of the nobles here, long before Charles became lord. Needless to say, it wasn't ideal. It was too cold and too far away." The woman looked back over her shoulder at him. "All the glory of Pendragon and they couldn't move it here. We held on because we remembered the way that it was."

Rivalz shivered at the statement. What the north had been was the last hold of the tribes, the one place that had been half wild and filled with magic. He didn't want any of that to come back, not if the stories were true. He swallowed and focused on the woman's back. "Who are you?"

"You mean, can I trust you?" the woman laughed. "I would say yes, but you wouldn't trust me. Until you decide what to do, I am C.C."

Lelouch had told him to look out for a C.C, but Rivalz couldn't help but be skeptical. He shrugged and looked away. "That's not a name."

"It's my name, the only name that matters." C.C. clicked her tongue at her horse, beginning the climb up to Aries Villa.

The trail zigzagged up the mountain, Rivalz wondering if they were going to have to ride to the very top when the trail leveled out. C.C. led him through what looked like a forest, but he could still see the overgrown stone road that had once led up to the villa. Rivalz could easily imagine a tree lined lane, the nobles trying to imitate what was in the capital, but the road had been reclaimed by the forest. He tipped his head back, staring at the walls that extended out into the forest, Rivalz taking a moment to realize that the walls were actually wings of the villa. His mouth dropped open as they rode between the two wings, C.C. heading for a small wall between the two wings and the gate in between.

Rivalz couldn't help but to duck his head as she led him through the gate, turning to look behind him. From there, he could get a good view of the place from above there the roof had caved in, enough of one to see why the lord had chosen the place. But C.C. was right, the villa wasn't made for the winters of the north. He adjusted his hold on the eagle, turning back around as they rode up to the stairs that led into the part of the villa that served as a bridge between the two wings of the house.

C.C. pulled her horse to a stop, sliding off. Rivalz hesitated before handing the eagle down to her. He quickly swung off the horse, nearly falling off. He tried to keep the bird in his sights, still not trusting C.C. Lelouch had sent him to the villa for a reason, specifically to C.C. "Are you sure that-"

"I will take care of him. That's what you brought him to me for."

"Yes, but-"

"If you want me to do this, it would be better to stop talking." She gave him a long look before jerking her head to the right. "Stay towards this section of the house and the wings. The roofs of the wings towards the forest aren't stable. Claim any room you want, Lelouch will do the same. Take care of the horses, will you."

She walked off before he got a chance to say anything, carrying the bird into the villa. Rivalz stared after her before shaking his head. He reached up to pat Gawain. "Looks like I'm stuck with you again."

He gathered Gawain's reins up, hesitating before reaching for the grey horse's reins. Rivalz waited to see what the two stallions would do, surprised when the two of them touched noses. Rivalz glanced between the two of them before raising an eyebrow. "The two of you know each other?"

All he got was a huff from Gawain and Rivalz was sure that it was all the answer he would get. Rivalz shook his head and began to lead the horses away. There was a gap in the right wing and a worn dirt path running in the break, one that he assumed led to whatever C.C. was using for a stable. He shivered and walked faster. He wanted to get this over with as soon as possible. He still had a room to claim and to check up on what C.C. was doing to the eagle.

Lelouch may have sent him to find her, but Rival wasn't going to believe that until Lelouch expressly told him to. She was far too dangerous for him to just believe whatever he was told.

He sighed and looked over at Gawain, shaking his head. Animals were easier, they made sense. Rivalz would look into a job in the stables when he got back to Ashingford or where he would end up when he could stop running. It would be something for him to do, something that he knew that he could do.

"And it's not like you would complain about me." He addressed Gawain, but the horse was tugging him in the direction of the only new looking building by the villa. The building looked completely out of place next to the red tiles and stones of the villa, just wood and thatch. He led the two horses into the barn. Rivalz guided the grey into one stall, choosing to tie the horse in place before turning back to Gawain.

Thankfully, Gawain was cool from walking the last leg of their journey, so Rivalz didn't have to walk the stallion out. Rival stripped the tack from the stallion, leaning the saddle against the wall of the stall and the bridle over the saddle for the lack of a better place to put them. The saddlebags he would carry into the villa. He was sure that there were valuables in the bags that Lelouch would want kept safe. He gave Gawain one last pat before crossing the aisle to repeat the motions.

The grey was a quiet horse, something that Rivalz was thankful for. It was shorter than Gawain too, which mean that he didn't have to strain to reach the saddle. He had plenty of time to look at the saddle. It was well made, well cared for and very familiar. The saddle looked just like the ones the rest of the guard had, except for the eagle tooled into the leather. He ran his fingers over the sigil before setting the saddle down. The bridle followed quickly after. Cautiously, Rivalz gave the grey a pat.

He glanced around, finding a pile of hay. For now, he guessed that it would work; Gawain might need something more after all the effort that the horse had put in during the day. Until C.C. finished with the bird the horses would survive. They both had water and Rivalz would come and check on them later. Rivalz gathered up an armful for each horse and dropped it in their stalls. Then, smothering a yawn, he picked up the saddlebags and trudged back towards the villa.

Rivalz headed for the back of the villa, the one place that C.C. had told him was safe. He glanced around at the mosaics and the columns wincing at the unfamiliar sound of title under his boots. Nothing about this villa set him at ease, even if he had seen his fair share of them in the south. It was still something that felt completely un-Britannian, so out of his range of experiences, even more so than what had happened to him thus far. It was like entering an entire world that was full of magic and strange things. It made him nervous, especially with C.C.

He walked down the columned pathway, looking at the rooms and finding them too exposed for his liking. He turned a corner into the left wing, frowning at the sound of a shout. Rivalz clutched at the saddlebags. The shout hadn't been a female one, it was male. Rivalz took a cautious step forward, looking around.

As far as he knew, there was no one else here other than C.C. and himself. He had assumed that C.C. would have told him if there was someone else with them. He shifted in place, about to turn around and walk away when a door opened three doors down, C.C. looking out.

She didn't seem to see him, because she didn't look his way. She turned and walked down the hall without acknowledging him. Rivalz stared after her, debating on what to do.

The smart thing would be to turn and find a room for the night. Nothing good would come out of digging too deep. Rivalz was sure that there was magic here, he could almost feel it around him. That alone should have been reason enough to walk away. But he would never feel safe if he didn't see what had made that sound. For all he knew, C.C. had tricked him and had someone waiting to kill him. The villa could be another prison and C.C. could be the insane lady of the mountain, still watching over her home as the world moved on. There were too many factors to ignore and walk away. Maybe, if he was lucky, the ghost of Suzaku would come and save him again.

He tried to sneak down to the room, wincing at the noise that his feet made on the tile. C.C. was bound to hear him, which would mean nothing but trouble for him. Rivalz gave the hall one last glance before setting the saddlebags outside of the door. He placed both hands on the wood before he pushed it open.

The door creaked open, Rivalz poking his head into the room.

At his first glance, he couldn't see much in the dimly lit room, just the pin pricks of light that came from candles around the room. It took him another look to see anything other than shadows. Rivalz almost backed out of the room when something moved on the cot off to one side. He froze, watching as the shadow moved sluggishly, his gaze dropping to the cloak that the shadow was sitting down.

Rivalz recognized the cloak, it was the same one that Lelouch had given him with the eagle wrapped inside. He drummed his fingers on the door frame, taking a deep breath before stepping into the room. He had to know what had happened to the eagle. Rivalz slipped through the shadows, searching through everything for a sign of the bird. He kept away from the shadow, but he couldn't keep himself from glancing at it.

The shadow remained slumped over until Rivalz knocked into a table. He cursed and reached out to steady the bottles. A soft groan made him freeze, Rivalz turning to stare as the shadows moved. It resolved itself into the shape of a ma, Rivalz gaze fixed on the arrow in the man's shoulder. Some part of him noted that it was the same place the arrow had hit the bird. Then the man looked up and Rivalz forgot about what he was thinking. He went to step back, only to stop as the man focused on him and smiled.

"Rivalz."