Another short chapter. Couldn't really stretch it out any further.

Chapter 82 – Confidentiality (Great Tree Moon)

Ladislava sat exhausted next to a tree as she watched the survivors of the 5th Army throw the corpses of Favorsham's citizens onto a pile. The entire population of the small farming village had been wiped out, with any that had been subdued perishing after the battle with Myson had ended. Whatever magic the Sanguine Reaver had used, his death caused the surviving crazed villagers to die from heart failures.

She then watched as three men from the 5th set a pile of kindling beneath the corpses on fire. Having seen the Black Eagles fighting with the undead, the Imperial soldiers weren't taking any chances. And though Myson and his lackeys had been defeated, there was no telling if more of his ilk were around.

Ladislava then looked down at a small sack she had laid down beside her. Inside were the black, glass-like fragments of Myson's Darkheart. Ladislava had no idea what the crystal was, only that it had been where Myson's heart should have been.

Surely, Ladislava thought, Edelgard or Hubert might be able to give her some answers.

"I've got the count," said Salia as she approached Ladislava.

"How bad?" Ladislava asked apprehensively.

"The 5th got it the worst. 43 dead, 51 more wounded. They'll probably lose another ten overnight. We only lost three, with another eleven wounded."

Ladislava was not relieved to hear the Black Eagles' casualties had been so light while the soldiers of the 5th Army had suffered so much in their stead. It had been their job to get those men back to the Empire safely, and now another fifty would never see their homes again.

"Those crazy farmers really did a number on them," said Zola as she nursed her wounded shoulder.

Ladislava nodded in agreement.

After a few seconds of silence between the aces, Trauare asked, "Ladi, that Myson guy said he was after the Crest Stone we took off Fleche's body. What's up with that?"

Ladislava didn't answer, yet the other aces could tell it was complicated.

Trauare then asked, "This has to do with Lady Edelgard's special orders, doesn't it? What the hell is going on, Commander?"

"It's complicated, Trauare," Ladislava replied.

"Lemme guess: Her Majesty doesn't think we can keep a secret, does she?" said Zola.

"You're one to talk, Zola," said Salia. "You couldn't lie to save your own life."

"It's not that I can't, Salia. It's that I won't. Alfaðör One-Eye does not look kindly upon empty boasts and falsehoods."

"See? You're proving my point. This isn't something you need to know about."

"Bullshit. Just because I'm not a liar doesn't mean I don't deserve to know."

"I am in agreement with Axberg," said Setiawati. "Have we not earned your trust, Ladislava? We have fought together in many battles, but you remain silent regarding these orang jahat."

"Yeah, who were those guys?" said Trauare. "Why did they do that to those people?"

Irately, Salia said, "You don't need to know the details. Besides, Her Majesty gave us strict orders to keep this confidential."

"And you don't trust us to do that, Sally? What the hell?!"

Salia was about to reply when Ladislava said, "That's enough, all of you."

Ladislava watched as Salia and Trauare backed down, but it was clear that Trauare, Zola and Setiawati still wanted to know more.

After waiting for their silence, Ladislava said, "You're right. You all deserve to know what's happening. But this isn't the time or place for that. We've still got a job to do. For now, get some rest and we'll make best speed toward House Ordelia at dawn. Once we're back to Fort Merceus, I'll get Lady Edelgard to explain everything."

"And if Her Majesty doesn't wanna talk?" said Zola.

"Then I'll tell you myself."

Surprised, Salia said, "Commander–"

"Salia, they've earned the right to know."

Salia wanted to object, but she realized Ladislava wouldn't listen to her either way. Sighing loudly, Salia said, "Alright, Aerin. If that's how you want it."

Ladislava briefly nodded before turning to the others and saying, "Besides, there's a lot about this I want to know as well."

"Is that why you're having us take those vials home?" asked Trauare as she gestured to a nearby bag.

The bag in question was filled with numerous flasks and bottles that had been taken off Myson's minions.

"Yes. Myson may not have been the only one with this 'Felplague'. We've got to get these back to Lord Vestra and his mages so they can study it. Maybe they can develop a cure."

"Whatever you want them for, I'm not touching them," said Zola. "No way I'm getting myself sick carrying that shit around."

"You won't have to, Zola," said Salia.

"Look, I know we're all on edge here," said Ladislava. "But we've gotta stay focused on getting those men home. Once we're back to Fort Merceus, I promise I'll fill you in."

"I'm holding you to that, Ladi," said Zola.

"Get yourselves some rest. We'll have no time for it once the sun comes up."

Knowing it wouldn't be long before sunrise, the aces dispersed so they could get some much-needed sleep.

Ladislava, still sore from her injuries, made her way over to Fenix's side as the Wyvern lay on the ground. Though Myson's magic had injured the ruby Wyvern, Fenix remained ready to fight if anyone else tried to threaten his partner.

Lying next to Fenix, Ladislava said softly, "Do you trust them, Fenix?"

Fenix snorted in reply, a sound which Ladislava knew meant he approved of the other aces. With a soft smile, Ladislava curled up next to her mount as exhaustion overtook her, and within a minute she was fast asleep.

…

Trauare splashed some water on her face as she listened to Zola let out a yawn. The water mage wanted to have a hot bath, but she knew if she had one that she'd stay awake far too long.

"Nice work with that Myson bastard, Trau," said Zola.

"Thanks," Trauare replied. "You mind me asking something?"

"Ask away."

"You seemed a lot more pissed off than usual when we fought those cultists. Anything I should know?"

"I've always hated dealing with Draugr, if that's what you're asking."

"Draw-ger?" Trauare said slowly, knowing she had to be messing up the pronunciation.

"My people's word for the walking dead." Zola then scoffed and said, "Necromancers. Fucking hate 'em."

"This coming from someone who loves chopping people's heads off?"

"Those who die deserve to rest in peace. Necromancers have no respect for that."

"So, you hate bees and you hate the undead. Anything else I should know?"

Zola glared crossly for a moment at Trauare, leaving the bluette wondering if she had asked too much.

After a moment, Zola said, "If you have to know, getting sick is another one on that list."

"Getting sick? Is that why you wanted us to burn those flasks?"

"Yeah. Don't wanna take any chances of catching what those poor saps got. It'd put me in a bit of a bad spot with Alfaðör One-Eye and the Valkyrur."

"And why would that be?"

"A Skrael warrior who dies asleep in their bed, or to illness rather than battle, is doomed to an eternity of walking the endless, frozen wastes of Niflheimr, forever in solitude. It's a sorry fate for a warrior."

"I see. That does sound bad."

The two aces were silent for a moment as Trauare sat against a tree, wanting to get some rest.

Zola then broke the silence by asking, "So, Trauare, you gonna tell me what spooks you?"

"Uh, what?" Trauare asked in confusion.

"You already know three things I hate. It's only fair if you let me know what gets under your skin."

Uncomfortably, Trauare said, "I, uh…"

Knowing the water mage was trying to avoid answering, Zola asked, "Wouldn't happen to be what's crawling up your boot right now, would it?"

Seeing that Zola was looking at her right leg, Trauare looked down to see a spider making its way over her boot. The water mage instantly went wide-eyed at the sight of the arachnid.

"AAH! GET IT OFF! GETITOFFME!" she yelped as she swung her leg, sending the spider falling off her. The arachnid scurried off under a tree root as Trauare gasped loudly for breath.

A second later, Trauare's cheeks went red as she heard Zola laugh at her.

Whirling around, Trauare said, "Stop laughing, Zola!"

"Hahaha, spiders, is it?" said Zola. "I should've known."

Trauare glared indignantly at Zola as the blonde Skraeling continued to mock her.

…

Setiawati was used to sleeping out in the wilderness. Life in Brigid involved a lot of it, especially when one was hunting.

Yet despite how tired she was, she had difficulty drifting off to sleep. Too many thoughts were running around in the huntress's head. Between the villagers being driven mad, the necromancers led by Myson, and finding Fleche's body with a strange Crest Stone, she had far too many questions that lacked answers. It didn't help that she had finally found Kemuning, and that she was now fighting alongside the Church of Seiros.

She could hear the call of the Dewata. They remained angry.

She had to quell their anger, or she feared disaster would surely fall upon the people of Brigid.

"Everything alright, Setia?" asked Salia as she sat down next to the huntress. "I've never seen you having trouble falling asleep."

Setiawati paused for a moment before answering, "Does your mind not stir from all we have seen, Salia? Does your heart not burn with anger over this senseless pembantaian?"

"It does. But we can't go back and change what happened. All we can do is move on."

Setiawati paused again, and then she said, "Those orang jahat… they called us binatang. Beasts. Yet it was they who were responsible for this kekejaman."

"Don't let it get to you, Seti. We made them pay for what they did."

"It is not finished. There are others. You and Ladislava have made that clear to me."

"Maybe there are, Seti. But we still have to get the survivors of the 5th back to Fort Merceus. We don't have time to go on a wild goose chase."

"Again, you confound me with your phrases. Are not all angsa wild?"

Sighing, Salia said, "It means we shouldn't go searching for an enemy that we can't find. We have to prioritize getting back to Fort Merceus. We'll worry about those cultists later."

Though unsatisfied with Salia's answer, Setiawati said, "Very well."

"Look, we both need some rest. We can talk about this once we see Her Majesty again."

"Yes. Maharani Edelgard has much to explain."

With difficulty, the two aces managed to drift off to sleep after a few minutes of silence.

…

The next morning…

The pile of bodies was still burning as the Black Eagles and the survivors of the 5th Army prepared to continue their march. Mercifully, there was no sign that House Gloucester's troops knew where they were. Ladislava knew, however, that they needed to reach House Ordelia as fast as possible if they didn't want to end up trapped north of the Airmid River.

Though many of the Imperials were still tired or wounded, they had no more time to dawdle. Several carts from Favorsham had been found, letting the 5th transport their wounded on them. The Black Eagles, knowing the 5th's survivors were in no condition to fight, arranged themselves around the column of wounded soldiers as they began their trek away from Favorsham.

As they left, however, the Imperials failed to notice as a small merchant caravan entered Favorsham from the north road. The merchants were shocked to see the pile of bodies, which was still burning.

While the other merchants wretched at the stench of death, the leader of the caravan reached the southern edge of Favorsham just in time to see the Imperials leaving the area.

"Swen, what is it?" asked one of the merchants.

The one named Swen pointed as he answered angrily, "It's the Imperials! Over there!"

Squinting, the merchant watched the Imperial column leave the area, catching a glimpse of the banner of the Black Eagles before it disappeared into the nearby forest.

Ooh, that's not gonna go well for the Black Eagles.

Just a bit of extra character development for the Black Eagles this time. For instance, we get to see one of Zola's actual virtues: she's not a liar. She might be bloodthirsty, crude, and so forth, but she doesn't fib about things. Puts her in a weird spot when it comes to confidentiality, though.

Need to ask, though: do you feel like any of the Eagles in particular haven't gotten enough characterization or backstory? It's hard to keep track at times.

We'll be getting back to Garreg Mach Monastery next chapter. See you next week.