Edelgard was nice enough to send reports to Claude every now and then. He couldn't tell if she trusted him with the information, or wanted him to think she trusted him with the information. He didn't think she would try to give him false reports at this point; if she found Dimitri, she would want to make sure everyone knew. Everyone important, at least.
Claude heard about Arianrhod through simple rumor mill before Edelgard actually sent some kind of explanation; an attack of sorts by the group of mages that caused trouble during the academy. There wasn't an exact reason given, so he assumed it was 'confidential' or she didn't want to admit it to him. Either one was possible.
Judging from the rest, though, Arianrhod falling was the most eventful thing recently. Edelgard sent people out to go into the Kingdom, and they took charge of the area—whether by force or talking it out was different depending on the noble in question. He received news that the Empire controlled just about everything but Fraldarius and Gautier, since they were most likely to put up a long fight.
The next letter after that was asking Claude to go to Garreg Mach, so he assumed that was what Edelgard wanted to talk about.
Coming back to the monastery always seemed a bit strange. Half the Golden Deer—any that stayed near Derdriu, and the ones that lived on the way to Garreg Mach—came with him, acting as a large entourage conflicted between musing about visiting their old school and dreading what they'll have to do by coming there. Claude only dreaded having to go back to Derdriu just to confirm with everyone else what they could offer.
Claude saw Edelgard soon after they entered the monastery, near the steps leading into the marketplace just…talking with Byleth. He almost felt bad interrupting; Byleth awkwardly held a few flowers while Edelgard took a few and tried to tie them together.
He couldn't think of a time he saw the emperor smile. Byleth's expression was nearly readable, too.
Of course, Edelgard paused and the smile she had fell—not quite into a frown but something more 'professional,' he imagined—when she noticed them. Byleth's expression took a few seconds, at least, before it shifted back into something neutral.
"You didn't need to bring half your class," Edelgard noted, turning towards the group.
"What can I say," Claude replied, shrugging a little, "They just came up and asked if they could come with."
Edelgard glanced at the group. "You didn't happen to bring the other great lords, did you?"
"Some of their kids but not the men themselves," Claude said. "I'll have to head back out again to confirm with the roundtable after we get everything settled."
"I can't say that's surprising," Edelgard admitted. She paused for a moment, then continued, "I would prefer everything to be decided soon, so come to the Black Eagles classroom when you're ready as usual."
He nodded, then both Edelgard and Byleth left—the emperor to the classroom, Byleth somewhere off to the right. Claude glanced back at his entourage-of-sorts.
"Hear that? If you want to stay, go reclaim your old rooms; otherwise, just wait for me to finish up talking with Edelgard, and we can leave again tomorrow."
Everyone collectively nodded and dispersed—some just wandered to the merchants, some to the dining hall, some to see if they could talk with any old friends. Claude figured it would be better if he spoke with Edelgard sooner rather than later.
He unsurprisingly passed Monica right outside the classroom, and Hubert was just within the classroom. Edelgard stood at the back with Count Bergliez off to the left of her.
Claude would have teased Edelgard about playing with flowers of all things, but decided against it when he imagined the scowl she'd give him. Instead, he gestured to where the mercenaries normally stood.
"No mercenaries?" Claude asked.
"They might be a little late," Edelgard explained. "I've already told them the gist of it, so we can start."
Claude nodded, and took a seat near the front—his usual spot, if this was the Golden Deer's classroom. Edelgard only waited a moment before she began.
"We've captured every central, southern, and western territory of the Kingdom," Edelgard said. "I divided up the land among a few people I knew could handle watching it."
"Still no news of Dimitri or Rhea?" Claude asked.
The emperor shook her head. "No. They're either in the north or somewhere outside of Faerghus."
Claude murmured a kind of understanding, even if it was confusing. They were running out of places they could be. Fhirdiad was captured by Cornelia almost a full year ago. No news came up in the Alliance, at least, and he sincerely doubted they would stay in the Empire for an extended amount of time unless they wanted to attack something; Fort Merceus or Enbarr, neither of which had any strong military presence as far as he was aware. Count Bergliez was right here in this room, at least, but since Myrddin's control was divided between the two, the Imperial generals stationed there might have left.
Edelgard continued fairly quickly, despite his internal musings.
"Houses Fraldarius and Gautier are the last true opposition we have; their soldiers came to Arianrhod, but retreated after it fell. Count Bergliez will be heading that way to deal with them, with however many of his and my soldiers are able to travel. I would like to stay at the monastery in the meantime."
"There's a chance Dimitri and Rhea are with the last two nobles," Claude pointed out. "You said it yourself. Why stay safe and sound down here when there's a chance to fight and find them?"
"Other things need my attention," Edelgard admitted. "That group I mentioned, when we negotiated for the pact—those who slither in the dark. They attacked Arianrhod, but from that Hubert was able to determine where it came from. While Count Bergliez is in the Kingdom, I would like to go to that location before they catch on."
"I think I get it. You staying here is more of an excuse, then? Something to throw them off?"
"Yes—and the Alliance will be supporting my group. We have enough soldiers in Garreg Mach to launch an assault on the resisting Kingdom lords and keep the monastery secure—however, there isn't enough to comfortably divide them between three fronts. I plan on taking Jeralt's Mercenaries to those people's base, with Leicester's soldiers making up the rest of the army."
"We should be able to provide that—not anything huge, but something reasonable. Where's the base?"
"In Hrym territory. We would be meeting at Myrddin."
"Got it," Claude said, nodding. "Is that it?"
"It is," Edelgard agreed. She nodded towards Hubert. "There's some instruction on how to get there, but be cautious who you tell it to. If you need to, tell the soldiers they'll be going to Myrddin to switch the current people stationed there."
"Are you heading out soon?" Claude asked.
"I'm staying to see Count Bergliez's troops off," she replied. "Afterwards, I'll make final preparations and leave when everything and everyone is ready. Needless to stay, keep this as quiet as you can; the mages might be encouraged to hide if they catch wind of it."
"I'll say what I need to in order to convince the others," Claude promised. He stood up, feeling like the meeting was about wrapped up. "I can start heading back to Derdriu tomorrow morning."
"That's fine. Just be quick when you get there, if possible. I don't want this opportunity to pass by."
