Chapter Five: The Witch of the Villa

"'Twas night in the dwelling,
and Norns there came,
Who shaped the life
of the lofty one;
They bade him most famed
of fighters all
And best of princes
ever to be."
– Helgakviða Hundingsbana I

James scooted closer to the fire, warming his hands over it. He glanced around, wanting nothing more than to get out of the mountains. At night, they seemed to close in around him, a maze of nothing but death and the few people who rejected society. James sighed and looked back at the fire. It was only because Jeremiah had given him an order to go after Rivalz that he was even risking the mountains with one of the natives. James gave the man a sideways glance.

Caomh had promised that they would be able to catch up with Rivalz easily. James hoped that the scout was right. He didn't want to spend more time the mountains than he had to. It was too cold, too closed in for his tastes. The tribes could have the mountains for all he cared. There was no way that anyone could make anything useful of a place that was too snowy to use for farming or herding most of the year.

Carefully, he stretched, not looking out into the dark. "How much farther?"

The scout shrugged. "There are too many places to hide in the mountains, but none of them are good for hiding over the winter. He will use the ruins and there are only four of them. We'll reach Aries Villa early tomorrow morning. The others will take us deeper into the mountains."

"To where the barbarians are?"

"Not at this time of year." Caomh sighed. "There aren't many of those left. The one thing we'll have to worry about is-"

There was a howl from the darkness, James turning around to try and see where the wolf was. He could hear the horses whinnying and snorting as they pulled on their ties. James reached for his sword, turning around.

"The wolves."

James winced at the comment, resisting the urge to get up and walk around the boundary of the small camp. He was safer by the fire. There had already been one wolf attack, James had heard the description of it from Kewell. Even just hearing about it had made him sick. And the attack had been so close to home. He could just imagine a wolf sneaking into Avalon and ripping women and children apart. He swallowed and dropped his hand away from his sword. "Will we be safe?"

"By the fire. It's too early for them to be desperate." Caomh looked him over and laughed. "They're just curious about what we're doing here."

"Well they can be curious somewhere else. I would like to be able to sleep tonight." He went to lie down, only to freeze as she saw something moving in the dark. James watched as a black wolf ghosted past, surprised that the creature avoided the horses. Maybe it was just curious. James narrowed his eyes, watching as the wolf passed again. He pulled his blade partially out of the scabbard, not surprised when the wolf didn't stop his pacing.

It was going to be a long night.

"Rivalz." The man groaned, using the hand on his injured side to pull the cloak further onto his lap. He winced with the motion, Rivalz about to run up and help the man, but he held himself back.

There had been a bird in this room, he was sure of it. The eagle had been brought in, because the cloak was on the cot. And the man was hurt in the same place that the eagle had been hurt in. Rivalz was sure the details were significant, but he was missing too much information and he was too bewildered to add any of it up. Rivalz stepped back, shaking his head.

"I don't…."

"Should have expected this." The man tipped his head back with a hiss, finally getting enough light on his face for Rivalz to see him properly.

It was Suzaku Kururugi.

Rivalz stumbled back at the realization, unable to look away from the man. Nothing about the situation made sense.

He knew that Suzaku was dead, he had been there when the body had been burned. All the other times he had seen him, at the woodcutter's house or in the Kinver Forest, it had been a ghost. Lelouch was holding onto Suzaku's memory so tightly that it was no wonder that Suzaku hadn't moved on. Or Suzaku had remained behind to protect Lelouch; either one of them was a good enough reason as any. And, as long as Suzaku had been helping them, Rivalz had been willing to let it go. He had needed all he help he could get to keep out of Captain Gottwald's clutches. But having Suzaku alive changed everything, and Suzaku couldn't be anything else because ghosts couldn't be in pain. Ghosts couldn't bleed.

He shook his head and took another step back. "No. This isn't…How are you here?"

"I was brought here by you and Lelouch. C.C. doesn't leave the villa much and I can't move on my own."

Rivalz shook his head. He didn't know what to make of Suzaku at the moment, it was all too sudden. He looked around, trying to come up with something intelligent to say. "Where's the bird? I can't go back without the eagle. Lelouch would kill me."

"Rivalz, there are things that you-" Suzaku groaned, and flopped backward, leaning against the wall. He took deep breaths, eyes closed and head tipped up. Blood leaked from between Suzaku's fingers, Rivalz staring at the arrow still embedded there.

He should have run out of the room when he had realized that it had been Suzaku. He should have never gone into the room in the first place. The whole place reeked of magic and he wasn't prepared to deal with magic, he never had been. He should have just stayed in the stables.

Rivalz reached back for the doorframe, wincing as his arm knocked bottles off one of the tables. Both he and Suzaku flinched, although Suzaku grunted with pain. The sound was far too loud in the open room. Rivalz stumbled back a few steps, feeling his legs start to shake. Finally, he gave into the need to run.

He turned, about to run into the hallway, only to find C.C. standing in his way. The woman just stared at him before reaching out and pulling him to one side. Rivalz stood where he had been placed, watching as C.C. pushed Suzaku onto his back. They spoke in low voices. Rivalz was unable to hear what they were saying, but Rivalz didn't want to. He didn't want to learn about the secrets that the two of them were talking about. He had had enough of magic to last a lifetime, but he wasn't sure if C.C. would let him leave the room.

The two finished up their conversation, C.C. pulling a blanket over Suzaku in a surprisingly maternal move. Rivalz tensed as she looked over her shoulder at him. It only took a jerk of her head to send Rivalz scrambling for the door. He slipped out into the hallway, snatching up the saddlebags. Rivalz was about to run when CC. stepped out into the hallway, stopping him with a level glare.

C.C. shut the door behind her, crossing her arms over her chest. "I thought I warned you about poking around. This place is falling apart."

"Are you doing magic?" Rivalz wished that he hadn't asked the question as soon as it was out of his mouth.

C.C. just raised an eyebrow and leaned against the wall. "I don't see why this is your business."

Rivalz snapped his mouth shut, studying her carefully. He shouldn't have expected a straight answer from her. She was a creature of the mountains, as mysterious and wild as they were. He was only here because Lelouch had sent him, only because of the eagle.

He hoisted the saddlebags onto his shoulder. He would sleep in the stables tonight, it was better than in the villa. At least he knew what to expect out there. It was better than staying in the villa with whatever magic was going on. Even with his need to get away, there was one thing that he had to do. Rivalz swallowed and tried to glare at C.C. "Where's the eagle?"

C.C. smiled at him, Rivalz surprised by the expression. She pushed away from the wall and reached out to pat his head, ignoring the way that Rival flinched away. C.C. mussed his hair. "That's not my story to tell. Ask them."

She sauntered off before Rivalz could demand a better answer from her. He stared at her back, tempted to reach out for her before he thought better. C.C. had essentially told him that it was none of his business, and he would take what he had been given. He would get himself far away. Rivalz would hate himself in the morning, but his courage had run out soon after discovering Suzaku. He turned and nearly ran from the villa.

Rivalz dashed for the barn, nearly slipping on the tiles. He didn't stop until he was safely in the barn. Neither Gawain nor the grey looked up from their hay as he stumbled in. Rivalz shot Gawain a glare, dropping the saddlebags. He sunk to the ground, tucking himself against the stall wall. He dropped his forehead against his knees and took deep breaths.

He had thought that he had been safe, because Lelouch couldn't use magic. There was nothing that would tempt him and get him killed. He had thought that he was running away from all of the things that had gotten him in trouble. Apparently, he had been doing the opposite. Then again, Rivalz was always running into trouble. First, he had agreed to go back to Avalon and then to take an eagle to a mysterious woman in the mountains. He shook his head and turned to settle into a more comfortable position. At least the barn was warm, he wouldn't freeze during the night. In the morning, he would ride out to look for Lelouch. Maybe then he would be able to figure out what was going on.

C.C. closed the door with a sigh, shaking her head. She pushed away from the door, glancing down at the shattered glass. Of course Rivalz had managed to blunder in more ways that one. She had thought he had been right when she had judged him as more trouble than he was worth. It was no surprise that he would mess up everything that she had set up.

She stepped around the broken glass and liquid, looking over at Suzaku. "You managed to get yourself into more trouble, Suzaku. I didn't think that was possible."

Suzaku gave a pained laugh. "You thought otherwise?"

C.C. snorted and sat on the stool by the cot. "I've managed to keep some of my expectations high. Too high apparently. I had hoped that you and Lelouch would have managed to lay low."

"We did for a while."

"I have ears. I heard about the rebellions in the smaller nations, how whole countries are falling apart. That's not laying low."

Suzaku shrugged one shoulder. "Lelouch gets bored."

C.C. laughed and turned away, gathering up salves. She purposefully kept from looking at Suzaku as she asked her next questions. "How is Lelouch, by the way?"

She couldn't see him, but she heard his sigh. C.C. shook her head, staring at the wall. She had hoped to get some news of Lelouch, especially since he was the son of her one friend. Besides, Lelouch was entertaining, interesting and doing exactly what she wanted. Aries Villa was a wonderful place, but she didn't want to spend the rest of her life hiding from the world. Lelouch would make the world more bearable for people like her.

It was their deal.

She paused in her work as Suzaku spoke. "I don't know. I never know."

C.C. sighed and turned around, pulling the blanket further away from the wound. She snapped the extra bit of the shaft off, just leaving enough for her to pull the arrow out. C.C. tossed the piece of wood away, hooking her foot around one of the small tables and pulling it over. She hoped that she would be able to pull the arrow out whole; anything more would be more difficult. "It would be too much to hope that it would become weaker over the years. Amateur magic."

"I wouldn't call it that."

"Because you don't know better." C.C. picked up one of the jars, beginning to rub the salve onto his skin.

Suzaku shivered and looked away, C.C. nothing the way his hands clenched. "I don't have to know better, all I have is this. And it's hard. It might not be for you, but it is for me."

C.C. just nodded, but she didn't bother with platitudes, neither of them wanted them in the first place. They had two different situations and their only common ground had been Lelouch, although C.C. had grown found of the two of them over the two years she had known them. She had some kind of insight into their situation, the way they were both isolated, the way that they could never go back. That kind of loneliness they both knew very well. She patted his shoulder to show that she understood before sitting back. "Let's get that out. It'll be harder to do come morning."

Suzaku gave her a tense nod, gathering fistfuls of the sheets. C.C. rolled her eyes but didn't comment. Suzaku was old enough to know how to handle the pain. She sighed and grabbed a hold of the arrow shaft. C.C. gave him a slow nod before yanking the arrow out.

He jackknifed off the cot, screaming in pain. Suzaku slumped back to the mattress, C.C. staring at him until he gritted out a curse. Suzaku rolled onto his side, C.C. taking that to mean that he would be alright. She leaned forward enough to see that the wound was bleeding cleanly but she couldn't tell much about the wound because of the way that he was holding it. She huffed and sat back, holding up the arrow. The head was still in place, which meant that she wouldn't have to go fishing around for it.

She reached out to pull Suzaku onto his back. He went without a protest, still breathing heavily. C.C. poked at the wound, debating about what to do about it. Stitching it up wouldn't make much of a difference when the morning came, but that would be the best course of action. All the same, the wound didn't look like it would hurt Suzaku too much if it was left open. She would just make sure that Suzaku could take care of the wound when he went back on the road.

C.C. grabbed a jar of salve and a bandage, using her free hand to keep Suzaku on his back. Suzaku finally stopped moving as she began to spread the salve over the wound, Suzaku hissing at the sting. C.C. bit back a comment about him being a child, choosing to nudge him into sitting upright so she could wrap the bandage around his shoulder. She watched as he winced at the movement, the opposite hand reaching up for the wound before he let it drop. C.C. shook her head, continuing to wrap the wound. "Hold on captain."

Suzaku laughed. "Nobody has called me that for a long time."

"Don't get too used to it." C.C. pulled a bit harder on the bandage that she needed to, hoping to get something from him. The last times that he had been to see her he had been silent and morose, nothing like the man that had come up into the mountains two years ago, angry enough to do anything. Now he looked ready to give up. She frowned and turned her attention back to the bandage. "But I'll say it again, hold on captain."

"To what?" C.C. was sure that he hadn't meant to say that out loud by the way that he looked back at her. Suzaku glanced away with a long sigh. "Did you talk to Lelouch?"

"No. He isn't here." Suzaku jerked under her hands. C.C. tightened his hold on him, keeping him still as she tied off the bandage. She looked down at his wound, shaking her head. Rivalz hadn't told her what had happened, and he wouldn't be talking to her any time soon, he was too spooked to talk to her. All she had was an arrow, which could mean anything. Lelouch and Suzaku had managed to pick up a stray and got themselves into trouble. She would have to wait until morning for any real news of what had happened.

She jumped when Suzaku grabbed her wrist. C.C. reached down to pry his fingers off of her, not surprised when he didn't let go. This was more like the Suzaku that she knew.

C.C. flicked at his fingers until he let go. "He sent someone else with you. Apparently you were more important than anything else. That's something at least. Even after everything, you still come first over all that Lelouch has planned. And here I was thinking that nothing would convince him not to take revenge. I was wrong."

Suzaku suddenly couldn't meet her gaze, C.C. chuckling at that. Now he would shut down and refuse to talk because he was flustered. Like it wasn't already obvious. Suzaku had told her things that Lelouch would never know, not if Suzaku had his way. Even with all the promises that she had heard him shouting when he was drunk, back when he could get angry, Lelouch could never be told. She had been privy to all of their secrets and had seen enough of them outside of their vulnerable state to know that what there were doing now didn't make sense with their public personalities.

Lelouch was technically a prince of Britannia, even though he was not in line for the throne any longer. He had been raised to be able to compete in Pendragon. C.C. had her own suspicious about Charles vi Britannia, about how he had given up the throne too easily and Lelouch was more fit to lead a war if he had to. There was no reason that Lelouch should have been so attached to a boy from Nippon who had no standing. Suzaku could help him; especially after Genbu Kururugi had betrayed them. Lelouch should have raised Suzaku to his position of captain and then forgotten about him as soon as Suzaku had ceased to be useful. But Lelouch had stayed close, put off everything for Suzaku. Lelouch could try to talk himself out of the truth, but it was obvious enough to her.

Suzaku was worse, it that was possible. After what he had told her, about how much he just wanted to die, it was a wonder that he had stayed around. There was something to be said about Suzaku's loyalty. Lelouch wasn't from Nippon, nor had his family done anything to help the country. Charles had been in the midst of planning an attack on Nippon to garner more glory. And Genbu had betrayed him, although what that meant exactly escaped her. All she knew was that Suzaku had killed his father and was desperate to atone. Despite all of that, Suzaku was still following Lelouch around.

She drummed her fingers against the side of the cot. C.C. sighed and shook her head. "It's almost sad, you know. How much like the old stories you two are. Loyalty and love doesn't work like that anymore."

"How would you know?"

C.C. shrugged. "I have ears. I'm not just stuck up here. I've seen more things than you have, boy. And I say that you and Lelouch are living an old tale."

Suzaku rolled his eyes and didn't answer, looking at the wall. She hadn't expected him to answer. What had happened to Suzaku and Lelouch was beyond them, so they clung to the only thing that was familiar. Their problem was that they had been clinging to each other for far longer than the two years they had been banished from Avalon. It was much beyond comrade in arms or a trusted servant by this point, and C.C. was sure that the two of them knew it; that was the most frustrating thing of all. For all she knew, they preferred not to think about it in favor of their situation, not that she blamed them. But C.C. could only stand them dancing around each other for so long.

C.C. pushed off the stool, pausing when she heard Suzaku shift. She sighed and reached out to put out one of the candles. "Rest."

"Not until I know where Lelouch is."

"On his way. He'll be here by morning."

"Morning?" Suzaku scoffed, reached up to touch the bandage. "I won't be here in the morning."

Her gaze lingered on the wound, C.C. raising her shoulder in a shrug. "I suppose you won't."

She walked out of the room, leaving Suzaku on his own, just the way he seemed to prefer. C.C. would let him sulk; there was nothing more she could do for him. There were other things that she had to focus on, like her deal with Lelouch. Although even that wasn't much of a distraction anymore. Amateur magic indeed, the casting was easier than the breaking. If a true punishment had been meant, they both should have been dead.

Then again, with all the magicians gone and the tribes dismantled, there was no true magic left in Pendragon. There were only the little tricks and curses that were only half remembered. But they were often more trouble than they were worth. It was almost enough to make C.C. enjoy being away from the people of Britannia.

She walked out to the front courtyard, looking around at the mountain. Taking care of Suzaku had taken longer than she had expected. The morning was almost here, the night sky beginning to lighten. She would have to go back in to watch over Suzaku until the sun rose, she owed him that much. And then she would have to deal with Lelouch. After what had happened, Lelouch wouldn't be happy. An unhappy noble and a scared peasant was not what C.C. wanted to deal with. She rubbed her arms, about to turn around when she heard a shout from the forest.

C.C. frowned and walked to the gate, ducking outside of it. She rested one hand on the wall and peered out into the semi-darkness. The shout didn't repeat, but that didn't make C.C. relax.

She hadn't got the full story of what had happened to Suzaku. That had been remiss of her, dangerously remiss. For all she knew, Lelouch had an army after him. C.C. groaned and slipped back into the villa. She didn't have the equipment to fight off an army and she wouldn't even try. She would let them exhaust themselves while she ran. There were plenty of places that she could hide in the mountains. Any Britannian would get so scared that they wouldn't remain in the mountains for too long. She would just sneak back into Aries Villa when they were gone. It was how she had always survived. But she couldn't do it this time, because she had Suzaku and Rivalz. She huffed and walked towards the barn. She didn't like it when plans changed.

C.C. snuck over to the barn, sticking to the shadows. The army hadn't arrived yet, but she was still being cautious. Being on the run for most of her life had taught her that much. The second lessen that she had learned was not to trust anyone that was not part of her clan, but she would make an exception for Rivalz. He had come recommended by someone close. Besides, he would look after Suzaku while she scouted their escape route.

The barn door creaked as C.C. opened the door. Lancelot and Gawain both looked up at her. She reached out to pat Lancelot as she looked around. Rivalz was easy enough to spot, curled up close to Gawain's stall. She sighed and nudged him with her foot. "Get up."

Rivalz flailed and sat up, C.C. noticing how he reached for a weapon. She placed herself between Rivalz and Lelouch's saddle, watching as he relaxed slightly upon seeing her. It didn't take long for him to tense up again, but he was awake at least.

He glanced up at her. "What?"

"You were followed."

Rivalz scrambled to his feet, rushing for the door. He leaned out, looking around. "But they all ran away. No one followed me all day. There was nothing."

"A trail is easy enough to follow."

Rivalz slumped, C.C. tipping her head at the reaction. Lelouch had gained the loyalty of another person, and neither of them had known each other long. C.C. chuckled and leaned against the stall. "We can hide, they won't find us. I'll take the horses, you take Suzaku."

To her surprise, Rivalz nodded and jogged off towards the villa. She shook her head and picked up Lancelot's bridle. At least one of their growing group would listen to her without arguing. C.C. sighed and pulled the door open, easily putting on the bridle. She didn't have the time for thinking; she would have to run soon. The running she was intimately familiar with, enough to wish that she could stop.

Suzaku grunted as he was shaken awake, reaching for a weapon only to pull his arm back with a wince. For a moment, he had forgotten that he was hurt. Suzaku rubbed at his shoulder, looking up at Rivalz.

He hadn't expected to see the man for a while. He thought he would have missed his chance to thank Rivalz. Suzaku smiled and sat up slowly, paying close attention to the way that Rivalz was acting. The man was jumpy, that enough to make him frown. "What's wrong?"

"We were followed. We need to go."

Suzaku nodded and eased himself out of the cot. There was no point in arguing or trying to buy time, he was in no condition for either. As it was, he stumbled a few steps from the cot, Rivalz quick to catch him. He winced at the jar, Rivalz guiding him out of the room. Suzaku took a few deep breaths before jerking his head to the side. "To the mountains."

"C.C. said that same thing. She already has the horses."

Suzaku nodded to himself. If someone could hold him on a horse, they would be able to get to a hiding place faster. Suzaku didn't know how long he would last, not weak from blood loss and his stomach twisting. He ducked his head with a wince, sucking in a deep breath. He would make himself last long enough for them to get away.

He leaned against Rivalz as they stumbled out into the back courtyard. Now the only thing between them and safety was the remains of the low wall that had run around the villa, but there were enough gaps for them to sneak through. And then there was the mountain trail. Suzaku could see C.C. leading Gawain and Lancelot up a trail. He was sure that Rivalz saw her too, because the man sped up. Suzaku gritted his teeth and tried to keep up.

His shoulder throbbed with every step, his head feeling muddled and stupid. Suzaku shook his head, hating that he was so useless. He was a soldier; he didn't know how to deal with being useless. Suzaku clenched his hand into a fist, focusing on each step. Just because he was hurt didn't mean that he would just stop, no when he knew what his death would mean. At the moment the thought that he was alive was the only thing that was keeping Lelouch from acting rashly. It was the same for him.

The change from flat to an incline made it harder for him to walk, Suzaku leaning more heavily on Rivalz as they climbed. Rivalz took the extra weight without complaint. Suzaku was glad for that. He didn't need to be reminded of what a burden he was, of how much more of one he would become. He hung his head, trying his best to keep up until they reached the next flat section of the trail.

He leaned over as far as Rivalz would let him, trying to catch his breath. Suzaku looked up as C.C. laughed. When he glanced up at her, C.C. just nodded towards the villa. "They've gotten in."

Suzaku turned his head to look down at where the villa was nestled. He could see two men ride into the courtyard and dismount. They split up from there, Suzaku watching them begin to search the villa, but no more followed after them. Suzaku huffed and looked back at C.C. "An army?"

She shrugged. "I always expect the worse. Now, let's keep moving. They'll see us here."

She led the horses further up the slope, Suzaku staring at the trail. It was another hike until the next flat section, and that one was higher up with the ledge that hung off the side of the mountain. He took a deep breath and started to climb.

He tried his best to ignore the ache in his shoulder and the way that his stomach would not stop twisting itself into knots. Suzaku gritted his teeth, already starting his list of mental apologies to Lelouch. He hoped that Lelouch wouldn't take the chance to walk into the villa, because Suzaku wouldn't be able to save him.

A shout made him look back up, Suzaku staring at C.C. The woman glanced over her shoulder and flinched. "They saw us. They'll be coming now."

She swung up onto Lancelot's back, still holding Gawain's reins. She urged the two horses up the slope, leaving Rivalz and Suzaku on their own. Suzaku shook his head and began to trudge up the slope.

He was sure that they wouldn't catch up to C.C, but he would try his best to get to one of the hidden caves. It was all he could do, especially when the two men would be riding after them. Suzaku would do his best to keep Rivalz safe, because Rivalz was important. Rivalz could help them. If only one of them could get out then he would make sure that it was Rivalz.

They were coming close to the second flat area. A quick glance down showed that the two men were already close to them. Suzaku glanced around, spotting a crack between two rocks. Rivalz could slip away through the crack and hide in the mess of rocks that made up the mountain until the guards were gone. He was sure that C.C would find Rivalz. He wasn't going to last much longer anyway.

"Rivalz," he shoved at the man, "you need to go."

"But I-"

"Go!" Suzaku shoved him away, stumbling a few steps on his own. "Hide and C.C. will find you."

He pressed a hand against the bandage on his shoulder and limped off. Suzaku could hear Rivalz shouting for him. He ignored it in favor of listening to the sounds of the horses coming up the slope. He wrapped his arm around his stomach, hoping that it would calm soon. It was disturbing his concentration when he sorely needed it. Suzaku stopped and turned around, watching as the two men dismounted as he panted for breath.

Rivalz still hadn't run, although he had picked up a rock. But the two men weren't focused on Rivalz, they were staring at him. Both of the men were from the guard, which explained their shock.

Suzaku smiled and backed out onto the ledge. "Don't I get a salute? I am your captain."

"Not anymore. You're some kind of twisted foreigner." James looked him up and down. "I've heard about your kind, magic soaked heathens, all of them."

Suzaku grinned but didn't rise to the bait. He glanced at Rivalz, hoping that the man would run.

Instead, Rivalz brought the rock down on the second man's head. Caomh crumpled to the ground. The sound made James turn around and point to Rivalz. "Hold on. I'll get to you in a moment. I have things to settle now."

Suzaku glared at James as the man turned around, hoping that James would make a mistake quickly. His stomach gave one last twist, Suzaku falling to his knees at a shout of pain. He reached up to press against his shoulder, breaking himself against the throb. Usually, it wasn't like this. Usually it just felt like slipping away, but his shoulder was making the whole situation worse. Suzaku sucked in a few deep breaths, opening his eyes as he felt a hand land on his shoulder.

He looked up at James, considering his situation. There was no way he could fight, not with the way that James was digging a thumb into his wound and the way he was drifting into a numb state. Suzaku swallowed and ducked his head. All he could hope was that Lelouch would find Rivalz and C.C. He had done all he could.

Suzaku smiled as he felt the first rays of the run on his face. He turned his head toward the east, watching the sun begin to appear over the mountains. He was out of time, but he would make the most of it.

Before James could react, Suzaku surged to his feet. He locked one arm around James' neck, and took a few steps backward. The two of them teetered on the edge for a moment before the plummeted off the mountain. Suzaku only had a brief moment of free fall before he blacked out.

Rivalz dropped the rock he was holding, staring at where the two men had disappeared. He stumbled past the guard, falling onto his hands and knees; staring down the side of the mountain.

He could still make out the shape of Suzaku and the other guard as they fell. Then the sun rose over the mountain, blinding him. Rivalz flinched and raised one arm to cover his eyes. The sight of the two men falling to their deaths was still seared into his mind though. He pressed his face into his arm, wishing that he could black out the memory.

There was a scream, Rivalz looking up as the scream climbed up into a sound that no human could make. Then, it turned into the shriek of an eagle.

Rivalz frowned and dropped the arm from his face, barely paying attention to the sickening sound of a body hitting the ground. His attention was on the familiar eagle that was spiraling up into the sky. The eagle wobbled a little bit before steadying its flight, banking to come towards him.

A quiet moan made him turn around, Rivalz stepping out of the way as the guard that he had hit fell to the ground with an arrow in his chest. Rivalz turned to look down the mountain, staring at Lelouch.

His rescuer was lowering the crossbow, a smile on his face. Lelouch was only dressed in the blue and gold cloak wrapped around him, holding it in place with one hand. Even his feet were bare, something that Rivalz thought that Lelouch would never do. Lelouch put so much effort into his appearance that Rivalz had never thought that Lelouch would give it up. But Lelouch had run up a mountain to defend him. Or, he had come to defend the eagle. Rivalz was sure that the end was more likely, especially with the way that Lelouch was stumbling up the slope to where the eagle had landed awkwardly.

Lelouch dropped onto his knees, offering one covered arm to the eagle. With one wing dragging, the eagle stepped onto Lelouch's arm. Lelouch smiled and stroked the bird's back. "Don't do that again."

The eagle didn't respond, the bird panting and shaking. Lelouch huffed and rested a hand on the eagle's back. Only then did he look up at Rivalz. He nodded. "Thank you for taking care of him."

Rivalz stared at Lelouch for a moment, struggling to come up with something that he could say. He still felt like he was too many steps behind the others. He shrugged, looking down at the ground. "You're welcome."

Behind them rocks clattered, Rivalz turning around. The horses came down from where C.C. had been waiting with them, walking carefully down the rocky trail. When the horses got close to them, C.C. slid off the grey's back. "No thanks for me Lelouch? And I did all the hard work."

Lelouch stood up, one hand still holding the cloak closed. "I thought it was implied."

C.C. snorted. "Brat."

"Witch."

Rivalz looked between the two of them, not sure what to make of their banter. He took a step back, watching as the two glared at each other. He had never though that Lelouch would allow anyone to speak to him like that. Rivalz swallowed, reaching for the horses as C.C. lifted the eagle's wing. The bird made a distressed noise, Rivalz flinching in sympathy.

C.C. sighed and took a step back. "I'll have to bandage that up again. And Lelouch needs to get dressed."

Lelouch blushed at the comment and turned away, hitching the cloak to cover more of himself. He walked down the trail towards the villa. Rivalz intended to push past C.C. and follow, but the witch fell into step with him. She glanced over at him, shrugging.

"That is far more of Lelouch than I've ever wanted to see."

"I don't-"

"Of course you don't. He hasn't told you anything." C.C. huffed and patted his shoulder. "You'll have to stay for another day. Suzaku needs to recover."

Rivalz resisted the urge to look over the edge of the mountain towards where one of the guards was dead or up to where the eagle was sitting on Lelouch's arm. The conclusion should have been obvious by now; he all the facts had been laid out neatly in front of him. The wound was in the same place, the appearance of Suzaku when the eagle disappeared. It all made sense, but Rivalz couldn't take the final step to believe it. He needed someone to explain it all, just so he could be sure of himself. It was all beyond his comprehension, so far away from the simple life he had led. There a bird couldn't turn into a man and back.

He stared down at the trail, shifting through the facts. "Lelouch won't talk about it."

"Then I'll give him a push. I have things that I need to talk to him about. You can jump in while he's still flustered. That's the best way to talk to Lelouch." She patted his shoulder and walked away, presumably to pester Lelouch.

For a moment, he wanted to catch up with them, staying close in case there were more guards. But he remained behind because the two of them were probably talking about things that he didn't want to know about. If he was captured again, he didn't want people in power trying to use him to get information. Beyond that, he didn't want his sentence to increase, not that it would make his eventual end any better. Rivalz shivered. He would let Lelouch and C.C. have their secrets just as long as he got the explanation that he wanted. After all that he had agreed to do for Lelouch, he was owed that at least.

Milly watched as Nunnally spoke with a few of the craftsman from the town that was surrounded by the second set of walls around the castle. She leaned over to pet her horse, listening to Nunnally laugh. She hadn't heard hat sound in a long time, and even now it wasn't the same. The laugh sounded like something that would have come out of Marianne, not Nunnally. Nunnally had never held herself back, at least before she had been elevated to her position as lady of the castle. She hadn't been ready for the role, not after the deaths of her mother and her brother. Milly was sure that she would have broken down, but Nunnally had flourished.

Nunnally finished up her conversation, the guard holding the reins of the horse moving her on. Milly let her horse follow, taking note of how the town was laid out. Ashingford hadn't been improved since before her grandfather's time. It would be up to her to look after the small town until she was married, and afterward if she could manage it. She could probably work on it as soon as she got back, taken responsible for once instead of just putting it off for later again. As much as she disliked the way they lived their lives, she had done nothing to change it. Going after Rivalz had been the first step in that direction. And, after watching Nunnally, she was tempted to try.

She would send one of her guards back with the news that she was staying with Nunnally. Her parents would be relieved that she was safe, so there was a chance that she would be able to stay. Avalon was safe, especially since the news that Lelouch was alive was out. Her parents would beg for her to stay where she was. She would have to look after Nunnally now. Milly could only imagine what Nunnally was going through. But she was holding up well for her situation.

Milly urged her horse forward to walk beside Nunnally. "Are you going to keep Lelouch a secret?"

"Why? It would get out eventually. It's better to control the panic now before someone else takes control." Milly caught the glance towards the church but didn't comment. Nunnally shook her head before point to the wall around the town. "I want to start repairs on this wall, but we need bigger barracks, now more than ever. All the boys will want to try to bring the demon in now that they know he's alive."

"Demon? You mean your brother?"

"No. I can't. He's a demon, he killed my mother. I just can't." Nunnally took a deep breath, returning to her calm. "Lelouch died two years ago. There is nothing left of my brother, not anymore."

Milly let the subject drop, keeping quiet as they rode through the streets. She nodded when Nunnally pointed out other projects, Milly barely paying attention. Her whole focus was on what Nunnally had said, how she had removed herself from the idea of her brother. That was nothing like the Nunnally that she knew. Nunnally would have done anything to keep her family together. That she was giving up everything meant that something was wrong. But she couldn't just confront Nunnally out in broad daylight. She couldn't confront Nunnally elsewhere either. The topic was nonnegotiable.

She sighed and looked over at Nunnally, the two of them riding along a road by the wall. Milly glanced up at the wall, watching a few guards walk along the top. "What's the plan then?"

"I send someone to find Jeremiah if he isn't back by tomorrow. He should have Rivalz and the demon by then."

"If not?"

"Then we search, all winter if we have to."

Nunnally looked over her shoulder, Milly seeing the first flicker of nervousness from her friend. "I just want this to be over, as soon as possible. No one should have to suffer."

Milly was sure that Nunnally included herself in the statement. But everyone felt the same way, everyone wanted to feel safe again. Whether Lelouch was still the man she had once known didn't matter. Nunnally was right that it had to end.

"Why can I do to help?" She shrugged when Nunnally stared at her. "It's a problem for all of us, Nunnally, so the blame doesn't have to rest on you alone. Tell me what I can do to help."

"Milly…"

"Think of it as repayment if you have to. You promised to grant me the chance to get to Rivalz first. If not, then it's to get this affair over with."

Nunnally took a deep breath. Milly expected Nunnally to refuse right off. It was part of Nunnally that was more like Marianne than Charles, the part that was too stubborn to ask for help. From the stories that she had heard, Marianne had been ready to take on the world herself, despite what the authorities said. Milly wasn't surprised that Nunnally would take after her mother, especially after Lelouch had. But Nunnally was softer than her brother, she could compromise.

"Getting this done is more important…and any help would be welcome." Nunnally nodded slowly, a smile crossing her face. "Everyone would thank you for your help. No one in the north would think to try and pull you away from Ashingford. A share of the glory and the security of a future, is that a good trade?"

Milly considered the idea, but not for long. There was never any real need to consider the idea. She knew that Nunnally would support her and that anything exchanged between them was just for show.

She put the reins in one hand, holding out her hand to Nunnally. Nunnally took it, the two of them shaking without hesitation. Milly smiled at Nunnally, glad that they had come up with a solution so quickly. They would be able to act soon instead of waiting.

They turned away from the outer wall, heading back for the castle. Milly could see Nunnally wincing when he horse stumbled. She was probably still sore from the ride two days before. Milly was sore as well, but she had come along because the idea of Nunnally doing the rounds with just a guard seemed too lonely, everything about Nunnally's life was too lonely. Milly should have visited sooner.

The clatter of hooves made Milly turn around, her eyes widening as she saw the guards ride in. For a moment, it looked like they were just going to ride past, but Jeremiah turned to nod at Nunnally. From the appearance of the guards, they looked like they were about to fall out of their saddles. Nunnally waved them on herself, looking over at Milly with a look of shock.

"There were twelve when they rode out."

Milly nodded, staring at the two guards that disappeared into the courtyard. The last news that they had gotten was that Jeremiah had captured Rivalz and they were bringing him back. But neither of the guards had Rivalz, which made her stomach twist. Either he had escaped or Jeremiah had killed him to keep Avalon's reputation. If the latter was true, then there would be no way to make it up to Rivalz's mother or to become something other than Lord Ashford's daughter. And it was cause for her to resent a blunder made by the guards, because she had been well within her rights to demand Rivalz back.

Nunnally rode past her, Milly more hesitant to follow. She didn't want to lose her temper, not until she knew what had happened. Her alliance with Nunnally was a sure thing, but Milly didn't want to have to keep the alliance a secret. She didn't have the sense for the political maneuvering that it would take.

Jeremiah was waiting for them when they rode into the courtyard. He bowed to Nunnally, not looking annoyed that she didn't get off the horse. Milly dismounted, standing by her horse as she listened to the conversation.

"Captain Gottwald, welcome back."

"Thank you my lady. But I'm afraid that I've failed you. We lost the fugitive."

"So I assumed. Your scouts had said that you had Rivalz."

"We attempted to bait the demon, my lady. He seems to have some kind of interest in him. But he was…faster, better than expected. They both escaped."

Milly flinched, her horse reacting to the sudden shift as well. The mare snorted and sidled, Milly having to scramble for the reins as they slipped out of her hands. She regained control of her horse, looking over at Nunnally.

Her friend was staring straight ahead without an expression on her face. It was startling to see Nunnally shut down like that, because Nunnally had always been the one full of energy and life. Milly swallowed and looked down at the ground. It was Nunnally's decision in the end and Milly didn't envy her the choice. It was getting to the point where Nunnally had to act. The news would spread from Avalon, from the peasants who had seen Rivalz and Lelouch. If the rumors went on for too long Milly would lose every chance she had of getting Rivalz back. She took a deep breath, glancing up at Nunnally.

Nunnally gave her a slow nod, looking back at Jeremiah. "We'll have to meet to decide how to continue."

"But my lady-"

"This is no longer about the reputation of Avalon, but the safety of the people. I appreciate your efforts, Captain Gottwald, and I have given you every chance to catch Rivalz Cardemonde and the demon. Now we need to do this my way." Nunnally took a deep breath and gestured to Milly with one hand. "Lady Ashford has offered to lend support to catch the demon. In return, Rivalz will be sent back to Ashingford."

For a moment, Milly was sure that Jeremiah would argue. To her surprise, the captain just bowed and walked away. Milly stared after him, sure that her mouth was hanging open in shock. Nunnally had changed from the girl that she had been, but there was nothing wrong with that. She would just have to remember to stay on Nunnally's good side. Nunnally could be just as powerful as Marianne had been, and probably more dangerous. Marianne had never sat through the death of her family and not be able to do anything about it.

She reached up to pat Nunnally's leg, offering her friend a smile. "How about lunch? The rest can wait until after, right?"

Nunnally sighed and nodded. "Yes. Any other plans will have to wait until Mass is done. Bishop Calares is on the council, he has to have his say. And I need an explanation for why he lied about the demon."

Milly stepped out of the way as the guard came around to help Nunnally from the saddle. Nunnally slid into the guard's arms, the two of them waiting until stable boys came over to take the horses. Then, the guard let the way back into the castle, Milly sticking by Nunnally's side the entire way.

"Your grace!" Calares turned from his place kneeling in front of the alter, looking back at the door. The boy waved from the front of the church. "Lady Nunnally requests that you speak with her."

He waved the boy away, getting up from where he was kneeling. He brushed off his robes and walked out of the church. Calares was sure that it was the moment that he would be called on for his lie about Lelouch, and he had yet to come up with a good reason for his failure. He was sure that saying that Lelouch had tricked him with magic would only go so far. Jeremiah was too tenacious to accept a story like that. He would keep pushing until Calares slipped up, an eventuality that had to be avoided at all costs. Without taking into account his situation Avalon was on shaky ground. The demon was enough of a threat on his own. He would try to advise Nunnally the best he could, just to get rid of the danger.

He walked slowly into the castle, using the time to take stock of the situation. There were no outward signs of panic, but the guards could be keeping the people under control. Nunnally wouldn't want them to panic because she cared too much about them. Her compassion was useful that way.

He waked through the great hall to the library building that Charles and Marianne had added on to Avalon in their first years in the castle. Both Charles and Marianne had used one of the small rooms as a war room, but it had only been used for one. The room had been the headquarters for Charles' failed attempts to take over Nippon to win back his brother's favor or, failing that, his own empire. Now Nunnally used the room for meetings that had to be kept secret. Calares snorted and rolled his eyes.

A crippled princess holding her own council of war. The idea was laughable.

He schooled his face into a more acceptable expression as he opened the door. Calares hesitated when he saw that Milly Ashford was in the room as well. He had expected Nunnally to keep her guest separate from the business of Avalon. Calares nodded to Milly all the same, eying Jeremiah as he sat down. He looked away from Jeremiah long enough to dip his head to Nunnally. "Is there any more news? Has the fugitive been returned?"

That got a wince from Jeremiah, Calares withholding a smirk as Jeremiah cleared his throat. "Not as such. The demon took him from us when he was in our custody. There are scouts keeping watch on them at the moment. We'll know where he is when we need to."

"Good." Nunnally nodded at Jeremiah. "We'll need them when we seek him out."

Calares glanced between the two of them, drumming his fingers on the table. He stared at the map that had been drawn there. It was crudely done, but it served his purpose well enough. All he needed was a delay, something to give Luciano time to work. He clenched his hand into a fist. "Where were they headed?"

"North."

"Into the mountains." Calares sighed, rubbing his forehead. He just had to keep up the act long enough to convince them that he was not involved. He leaned over the map, tracking a part of the mountain range. "Can they chase him out?"

"It is possible."

"Good. It would be better to engage out in the open."

Jeremiah was nodding along with him, Calares surprised by the captain. He had thought that Jeremiah would have fought against him until the end. Calares rocked back in his chair, watching as Jeremiah pointed to the plains in front of Avalon. "If we drive him close to Avalon, then we can cut him off from the border."

Calares stared at the map before shaking his head. "It's a good plan, but we don't have enough-"

"We will have the men for it." Nunnally lifted her chin. "What else do we need to focus on?"

He swallowed and looked back at the map. His first delay was gone, which meant that he had to find other ways. Chasing Lelouch out of the mountains would help Luciano, but Calares knew that Luciano wouldn't hesitate to turn on him if given the chance. The two of them, Luciano and the guard, could never meet. Calares wanted to play for as much time as he could get. Maybe he could encourage another hunt for Luciano as soon as Lelouch was taken care of.

"We should be careful. This is not something you want to rush into, Nunnally."

"I am aware of that." Nunnally treated him to one of her rare glares. "It's why I called all of you here. I want to make this to end. The people shouldn't be endangered like this."

"Of course." It took effort for him to keep the disdain from his voice.

Some of it must have come through because Nunnally continued to stare at him. "And I want to know why the demon was not killed as you claimed."

Calares shrugged, aware that Jeremiah was suddenly paying attention. He wished that Nunnally had just called a meeting between the two of them. He wouldn't have to deal with the scrutiny of the others. He swallowed and turned to smile at Nunnally. "It was early in the morning when I found them. It could have been an illusion, you brother is a skilled magician."

His deflection worked just like he expected to, Nunnally tensing. "My brother died two years ago. What's out there isn't him."

"Yes my lady." Calares stood up and bowed, making his exit. It was far better to leave than to continue to rile Nunnally up. It was the reason that he had gone for the tactic. Nunnally had Jeremiah and Milly to advise her, she didn't need him. In any case, he doubted that he could mislead her too much longer. Nunnally was too smart for her own good.

He would figure out how to take care of her later. The important thing was to continue his act for as long as Lelouch was free. All he had to do was wait for Luciano to finish the job. Nunnally would no longer have anyone to worry about and his secret would die with Lelouch.

It Marianne hadn't been so stubborn, his problem wouldn't have existed. He had only asked for a single thing, something that Marianne should have been willing to do in the first place. They had only been a couple of tribesmen and there had been a long standing order from the emperor. It was the perfect type of first battle for Lelouch. Calares would have been able to see what kind of commander Charles' son could have been before turning him toward creating his own empire. Marianne shouldn't have put up a fight, shouldn't have provoked him. If she had been smarter, she would have died.

Calares shook his head. The irony that he would be labeled as a traitor if he was found out hadn't escaped him, especially since Marianne had been the one who really had betrayed her country. And after all he had done for Avalon, for the good of Britannia.

At least at the end of all of this, there would be a sizable reward. He would still hold onto his position in Avalon and have had the privilege of helping bring down the demon of the north. He wouldn't be in the spotlight, but the emperor would still be pleased. If he was lucky, there would be a way of spinning the situation to his advantage. If not, then at least he would get a memento of his success.

There was a knock on his door, an aberration to his usual routine. Luciano paused in the middle of cleaning his traps, tipping his head to the side to wait for the sound to repeat.

No one in Stowden would disturb him, not when they had their own business to worry about. It was the prime time of the year for his job, and they would be glad for it later. When they were shivering in winter, looking out their windows and watching him trudge through the snow; they would be doing it knowing that they wouldn't be bothered by wolves. Or, alternatively, that there would always be a place where they could get a little extra meat or another fur to keep them warm. Other than that, they left each other alone.

It was better for them not to know what he had done to get himself to Stowden. He had seen enough of the collapse of other countries as a Knight of the Round to not want to see it in Britannia. It was messing and confusing, everything that he didn't want. He didn't need nobles and the emperor's guards coming after him, it had taken him running north to avoid the other Knights of the Round.

His life was simpler now, far different than it had been before, but simpler. After everything that he had done in the Rounds, Luciano enjoyed how simple it was.

The knocking came again, this time louder and faster. Luciano sighed and dropped the cloth he had been using. He walked to the door, pulling it open. For all the noise, he had expected more than a shivering young boy.

Luciano sniffed and leant against the door. If you're looking for work, try towards Avalon. I don't need the help."

"I don't…" The boy stared into his house for a moment before snapping to attention. "I have a message from Avalon."

"You mean an order."

The boy swallowed and shook his head. "There has been a problem with wolves in the area."

Luciano tipped his head to the side. He knew that wolves were out, he had even heard of an attack. But there were always rumors as people tried to figure out what was going on, as well as keep back the fear in some way. He hadn't heard of any wolves towards Avalon. He cleared his throat. "I'll make my way up there, the same time I always do."

"I'm sure that you will, but this is important. The message comes from the bishop." Luciano paused in the act of turning around. He glanced over his shoulder, the boy perking up. "Bishop Calares told me to warn you of a wolf that has already gone rogue."

"Did he give you any specifics?"

"Just that you would know what wolf he was talking about."

Luciano stared at the boy for a moment before nodding slowly. Now he understood what the order was, and it was hard to hold back a smile. The boy couldn't be allowed to suspect anything, not when Luciano' own life was one the line. Calares could hurt him now as well, the bishop was in a far better position than he was and Luciano had been foolish enough to let it get to that point. Still, helping Calares would help him in the long run.

He drummed his fingers against the doorframe. "That wolf. I thought he had died years ago. I'll go after him as the bishop requests." Luciano paused, looking out into the village. "He's up by Avalon, right?"

"Not that I know of."

"Keep an eye out and return when you know for sure. I'll search the where I saw him before."

"Thank you." The boy grinned at him and bounded back to where his horse was tied.

Luciano waited until the boy was gone to step back into his house. He sat back down by his trap, playing with the cloth.

Calares had gotten in over his head; there was no other explanation for why the bishop would call on him. After Calares had used the curse they had broken off all contact. Luciano had thought that Calares would have been smart enough to move on after what he had done. Killing Marianne and then getting rid of Lelouch had not been the smartest choice of action, not if he wanted to stay in Avalon. Keeping quiet was how his father had stayed in Pendragon without being detected and Luciano's inability to do so was how he had gotten drummed out of the Rounds. The promotion hadn't been worth the price in the end. Apparently, Calares hadn't learned that lesson.

Luciano shrugged and went back to cleaning the trap. He would go after the wolf to save his own skin, because Calares would make him suffer otherwise. He could get a fair price from Calares as well, something to help fill his coffers between hunts.

He lifted up the trap, checking the springs. The wolf and the eagle, so there would be no witnesses. Luciano smiled as the trap snapped shut.