Interlude – Girl of the Spirit Forest

The campaign pushes forward, this time through the Spirit Forest to reach Castle Verdane itself. At least, that had been the plan. While we actually traveled through the dense trees, we were struck with a terrible magic, one that defied all comprehension. What sort of magic sparks an epidemic, not once but thrice? Given what happened in Evans, how did it spread? It was hard to say, and when I tried to tell Sigurd of the connection, we ended up lost in the Spirit Forest where all who enter never leave.

This wouldn't have happened if I had called out. It's my fault.

Sigurd and I did try to retrace our steps. After all, there were some broken branches and crushed leaves which may have marked our path. However, it was futile. It was too dark; we could barely tell up from down. It felt like we were going in circles. So, we decided to stay put until there was a little more light, and neither of us spoke aloud our fear no light would ever reach us.

"Here, it's quite cold," Sigurd murmured, tucking his cape around me. After coming to our decision, we wandered just enough to find reasonable shelter, the hollow of a tree with the most fascinating moss growing inside. I wondered if there was anything about it in my notes. "Let's see... should we risk a fire? I could maybe clear enough debris? Then again, I don't have my firestarter..."

"Sigurd, I don't think that is necessary," I replied, tearing my attention from the moss. He was frowning; he wasn't suited for frowns. "I certainly have no appetite right now, and if it is for warmth..." I held up my arm so there was space underneath his cape. "You did say I am a walking fire."

"That is true." He scrutinized the hollow, no doubt wondering if there was room for us both. "Well, we'll try it, at least." He plopped down beside me, and the two of us shifted around so we were both semi-comfortably under his cape and secure in the hollow. "Reminds me of when I'd hide under tables after Eldigan accidentally started a barfight."

"You say that as if he does it often." I knew he only said it to take our minds off the current situation, including how the hollow was barely big enough for both of us. We only managed it by sitting with our shoulders pressed together and our knees to our chest. Well, I had both knees to my chest, with my arms resting on them. He had opted to stretch one leg out to keep from feeling so scrunched.

"Not quite as much as he did in our Academy days, but it's almost as regular as the tides. We'd walk in, someone would comment on his pretty face, he'd retort something without thinking, and the next thing I know, everyone's fighting."

"Somehow, I doubt you were under the table for long, if Lord Eldigan was in the middle of everything."

"I'd drag him with me, of course. Usually how he avoided the first punch. Then we'd hide as Quan found an escape route, usually with Eldigan trying to figure out what he said this time." Though he said it with good humor, I could see the faint grimace towards the end, and remembered just why he had even walked away from camp.

"May I ask about the argument?" I watched as he stiffened. "You do not have to, of course."

"No, but I owe you for getting you in this mess." He owed me nothing. He'd never owe me anything. "As I said, by most people's standards, it wouldn't count as an argument. Both of us simply misspoke about..." This time he winced, his head dropping. "Logically, I know I did what needed to be done. When the light fell, there was nothing I could do. It took every drop of skill I had to keep you safe. But..." He sighed and his hand fell in the tiny space between us to dig into the soil. "But in my heart, I feel like I ran away. I feel like I abandoned them."

"Ah." I could thread the tapestry from there. Lord Quan, no doubt, had tried to assuage his friend's guilt, leaning towards pragmatism. But Sigurd, surrounded by all the injured and feeling all too helpless, did not want to hear such pragmatism. All it did was hurt his heart more. Lord Quan would have realized it too and let him walk away to cool his head, until he could hear such things without the words feeling like daggers. That was why he was alone. "I know nothing I say would assuage the guilt you feel." I wished there was, but if Lord Quan couldn't, then I certainly could not. "So, instead, let me simply say this." I reached down and gently pried his fingers from the dirt to hold. "Thank you, for protecting me."

"...Always." His thankful smile gave the word more weight than most would think, even if he changed the subject. "So, since we're asking questions, may I ask why you followed? You said Quan didn't send you."

"Why would he anyway?"

"Probably to try and make sure I didn't do something stupid." He flashed a grin and I ducked my head to hide my smile. "A shame you weren't quick enough."

"To be fair, I do not think he expected you to walk into the forest."

"Point taken. But may I ask?"

"It is nothing immediately important." I thought of my theory and my last instructions to Mister Finn. Would the antidotes work as I hoped? "There was simply a theory I wanted to share about the attack. It serves no purpose out here." Furthermore, without the notes, would he believe me? It was simply too bizarre.

"All the more reason to somehow find our way back, when we can." He might have said 'when', but the 'if' loomed over us. "This is going to be quite the uncomfortable night. Did you really camp without a tent?"

"Please tell me that hasn't spread to every corner of the army."

"Naoise was most unhappy to hear of your struggles. Not to mention Oifeye kept fretting over the size of the tents." So, that was a 'yes', then. "Why did you not say something? Even if the soldiers should have noticed, and they really should've, was it not uncomfortable?"

"I didn't want to bother."

"You can never be a bother." He playfully made a face. "In fact, you could stand to 'bother' others more often!" The thought made me queasy. "Ah, you are far too used to doing things alone and hiding."

"...I do not hide." That had to be the worst lie I had ever told in my entire life.

Sigurd's wry smile hinted he knew it. "During the first wave of refugees, back in Genoa, you hid in your storeroom to cry." The words were soft, but they made me freeze. How had he...? "It makes me wonder when else you've hidden."

"Sigurd, I fear I must ask why you know." No one had said anything that day. No one had even noticed my brief absence and I knew how to hide any sign of tears. So, how had he known?

"Simple. I saw." His smile became a little sheepish. I could only stare. "I had gone to check on you. I knew it was a lot, and I had to do something. I was going mad, too aware of how my efforts to find a peaceful solution led to such losses."

"It did not." I truly had no filter around this man sometimes. "Prince Munnir was responsible for his own cruel decisions. He would have done something similar if you had marched, and he would have blamed you for it just the same."

"Quan said the same." Yet it was easy to hear the guilt in his words. I knew, like before, there was nothing I could do to ease it. It was a guilt born from how kind he was, after all, and was akin to the guilt I felt when I could not save a patient. "So, I went to check on you. When I couldn't find you in the room, I headed to the storeroom to see if you were fetching medicines." Thus, he had seen me crying.

"You didn't say anything?"

"I thought about it, but I feared you would feel ashamed of them." He reached up to tap my cheek with his free hand. I still held the other. "I did not want that. Tears are nothing to be shameful over. But you are very responsible, very devoted to your duties, and you take great pains to always appear calm no matter the circumstances." He said the words with simple sincerity, and I was reminded of what Mister Finn said earlier. "If you knew I was there, you would have scolded yourself for them."

"...I have to be calm." I couldn't exactly refute his assumption, so I fell into explanations instead. "You know who my father was."

"Last I checked, your name was Alicia, not Victor." Sigurd frowned now, but I knew it was not at me. "You are not your father."

"Blood will always tell, Sigurd." How many times had Father Eirik said that? When I... when I was little, I would shout back, but it only got me scoffs and lectures. It had only served as proof.

"Even if that is the case, and I do not believe it is, why would you necessarily take only after him? Why would you not take after your mother?" He was blindingly sincere and earnest with the words, yet they did not make me feel better. Worse, though, I did not know how to explain... "...Ah. Wait, given what you've told me, you might have complex feelings about her. How long were you in Yngvi again?"

"I was a year old when she abandoned me."

"Yeah, there... might be complicated things there." He looked so fretful now; I could not quite bite back a laugh. "Well, I was trying to cheer you up, so I'll take the victory. Even if I talked myself into a hole there." Now I definitely couldn't bite back my laughter. "Can't even remember the point I had to the whole topic."

"You were fretting over how much I hide." He was... so ridiculous. "I... used to cry a lot, when I was younger."

"Did you?"

"Yes." I had cried over everything. I had cried because I was lonely, cried because I was cold. I would cry after lectures, and cry when a request for hugs was denied. "Eventually, I stopped. It just made everything more miserable." It only emphasized how little everyone cared. "So, I appreciate the discretion."

"It's an odd thing to thank someone for." Perhaps, but I did it anyway. "Ah, but now I definitely remember what led to this. As I said, you could stand to bother..." All at once, he stiffened and shifted to crouch in front of me.

At first, I was confused, but eventually, I realized there was a noise. It was terribly soft, but steadily growing louder, meaning the source was coming towards us. Sigurd intended on protecting me again, but I worried how much of a liability I would be. I could not fight, and no matter Mister Finn's comments during the fire, I doubted I could run fast in these conditions. I did not even have my staff to heal any injuries. So, all I could do was hope he would not have to defend me. To my surprise, that hope was answered. After all, the source of the noise turned out to be someone we knew.

"Huh? Sigurd? Alicia?" Deirdre called, just as startled by our appearance as we were by hers. Her eyes were wider than plates, and it took her a moment to think of freeing her hair from a nearby shrubbery. For our part, Sigurd and I only stared back. "I... what are you two...?"

"That is... a story?" I answered slowly, mind spinning from the sudden whiplash. I couldn't handle this; I had to lean my head against Sigurd's back to keep from feeling dizzy. "That is quite the story?"

"Is it? May I... oh, wait." All at once, she blushed. "S-sorry, I interrupted, didn't I?"

"Interrupted?" Sigurd repeated, taking control of the conversation. I was glad as my mind was whirling a little too much by now to speak. "Interrupted what?"

"I... well..." Poor Deirdre stammered, her face turning redder than an apple. The blush went from the tips of her ears, to the back of her neck. "You two seem to be in a... private moment?"

"Private moment?"

"Yes, um..." Somehow, her blush grew darker. I worried she might faint. "I... I've read that couples sometimes... um..."

"...Couple?" Sigurd glanced at me, frowning in confusion. I could only lift my head to stare back, just as bewildered. I shouldn't leave my infirmary. I kept stumbling into weird situations when I did. "You think... Alicia and I... are a couple?"

"Yes?" Her voice was so squeaky at this point. "Aren't you?"

"I... that..." Sigurd struggled to retain his composure, and I knew I tried the same. Yet, because we were both terrible people, we failed miserably, and started laughing so hard we had to lean against each other. "That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard! No offense, Alicia!" I struggled to reply, but only managed to shake my head to reassure him as I was laughing too much.

I had never laughed so hard in my life. Who thought such nonsense anyway?

Sigurd and I both laughed until we were just as red in the face as Deirdre, to her complete confusion. But somehow through the guffawing, we managed to explain that no, we had not snuck off for some romantic rendezvous, but were in fact lost. She then kindly offered to escort us to a nearby lake, since it would be much more comfortable than a tree hollow lined with pretty moss. She was right, of course. Not only did we get pieces of star and moonlight thanks to an opening in the treeline and a beautiful view of a lake sparkling like silver, but it wasn't nearly as cold here as it was amidst the trees. The grass by the shore was surprisingly soft and dry, and a rock formation jutting slightly over the lake made for comfortable seating. In fact, one could easily sit on the edge and let their feet dangle in the water. I knew this because I became very curious while Sigurd and Deirdre 'argued'. For some reason, she remained very, very convinced the two of us were a couple.

"But surely you are!" she protested, hands on the ground as she leaned forward insistently. I glanced back and saw Sigurd looked equal parts bemused and confused. "The market gossip was full of how lovely you looked together!"

"Is that why they kept sighing and giggling?" Sigurd asked, shaking his head. He looked over at me, perhaps seeking assistance, and I shrugged, more focused on sending ripples across the lake's surface. I remained as confused as before; I had no idea why anyone would think such. "I thought it was because Shannan is adorable. Or they were envious of Alicia's poise and developed crushes on her." I maintained, even with this, they had been infatuated with Sigurd, not me. "She's very beautiful, after all."

"She is, but that is not the point!" Deirdre frowned, petulant. Absently, I noticed she was almost close enough to Sigurd to touch noses. "The ones who were in the castle would share how often you checked on her!"

"Is it weird to check on friends in Verdane?"

"And the two of you spent your mornings together in your office!"

"Ignoring how it started because she reported which soldiers could march, is it weird to spend time with a friend?"

"While making a tea she mixed up just for you?" Did... did that seriously make it to the gossips?

"She's got personal mixes for her brothers, my little sister, her little brother's best friends, and was working on one for my brother-by-marriage." Sigurd glanced over at me again, this time in clear help. "Did I miss anyone?"

"No, you did not," I replied, swinging around to face them at last. I slipped my shoes back on as I did, not wanting to lose them. I did not have another pair. "Besides, the tea may be personalized, but they're medicinal as well."

"Right, I think you said something like that," Sigurd murmured, thinking. Deirdre still looked skeptical. "Preventatives, was it?"

"Yes. Your mix is actually very similar to Arvis's." I had no idea anyone knew about it. Who would have told? It wasn't very interesting. "What it sounds to me is the soldiers had too much time on their hands and decided to make stories from innocuous events."

"That and probably my reputation exacerbating the issue." Ah, now that he mentioned it, it likely was. Sigurd was infamous for not showing interest in anyone romantically, and truthfully, not being close to many women at all. Of those few women, his interest was strictly platonic. Therefore, when he appeared to show 'interest' in a woman who was not a childhood friend nor his sister, the gossips speculated he 'had' to be romantically interested in her. When thought in those terms, it was terribly easy to see the conclusion. "So, I suppose I should apologize."

"If I require an apology, I believe I would ask it from those who made assumptions." I frowned a little, remembering the very odd looks and smiles we had received these past few weeks. "Do you think this is why Lady Ethlyn and Lady Edain kept insisting I ride with you?"

"I would hope they know me better!" Despite the words, he sighed gustily. "Then again, they both tend to be on the romantic side and I suppose there's something story-like of a knight and healer."

"So I have heard, but as I believe I told Mister Dew before, my occupation is nowhere near as romantic as stories like to portray."

"Wait, why did that come up?"

"Some believed Azelle's insistence on spending time with me was due to romantic inclinations." That was still awkward to think about. He was my little brother.

"People have too much time on their hands sometimes." Shaking his head, he turned back to Deirdre with a smile. "I know of no other way to tell you we're not a couple, Deirdre. But we're very not." I still found it laughable, personally.

"Th-then what are you two doing in the woods alone?" Deirdre stammered, red in the face yet again. She quickly sat back on her heels, putting some distance between her and Sigurd once more. Perhaps she had only just realized how close she'd been. "Is that not suspicious?" Honestly, at this point, I wondered why she was so fixated with the topic.

"We got lost," Sigurd reminded her easily. He was all back to smiles, and he looked happier than I'd seen in a few days. "I swore I told you this."

"You were on the main road, though! Prince Jamke was leading you! How did you get lost?"

"Wait, how do you know that?" Sigurd tilted his head, and Deirdre immediately looked away sheepishly. My eyes darted to her hair, noting the beautiful silver once more. "The first is an easy guess, but I didn't think Prince Jamke's joining had spread this far yet."

"W-well..."

"Ah, you're the flash of silver I saw the first day," I murmured, piecing it together. Deirdre squeaked and flailed backwards, thankfully landing on the ground. Sigurd quickly muffled a laugh. "I thought I saw something. It was right before I told Azelle, Lex, and Lady Ayra about how Arvis got lost in the woods."

"Which the rest of us eagerly listened to because it was hilarious," Sigurd snickered, grinning. I could only shake my head, as I hadn't realized the eavesdroppers until Lady Edain asked a question about it. "So, have you been following us, Deirdre?"

"It would explain how she so conveniently found us."

"That it would."

"I... w-well, yes, I was following you..." Deirdre finally mumbled, looking away. She was red to her ears again. "My intention had been to sneak back to Marpha to see y... see if everyone was well." She very much swallowed a word or three there. "But I saw you all, so I... um..." She had traveled near, no doubt because she had to go this way anyway to return home. "I wandered away because we're close to my village, but I headed back when the spirits started screaming. I worried something had happened. Did it?"

"I am not sure if it's why the spirits screamed, but yes, something did happen," I answered. I did my best to sit properly, but found myself drooping anyway at the memory. "We were attacked by a strange magic. A black skull appeared above us, and light rained down. The symptoms, however, appeared like a plague."

"A spell that causes plague?" Yes, when she said it like that, it truly sounded ridiculous. Yet it was- "It sounds like the Poison spell." Deirdre brought her hand up to her mouth as she thought, and that let her conveniently ignore the surprised looks Sigurd and I were giving her. "The light raining down sounds more like Fenrir, but then again, Poison is its sister-spell. While Fenrir was designed to lay siege, Poison infects and corrodes. I know those people have it; they used it recently. That poor couple..." Now who was she... wait...

"Ah, the silver spirit Altan mentioned was you, wasn't it?" I smiled, feeling almost silly for not realizing it sooner. "He said one led him to Erdene and his wife."

"Were those their names? I never learned. I just knew the couple needed help." She looked down, her hands twisting in her skirts. "Did... did either make it?"

"His wife perished, sadly. But Erdene survived. He ended up conscripted and near death afterwards, but he recovers in our infirmary in Marpha."

"I see." Though her hair veiled most of her face, I still saw her faint smile. "I'm so glad... one survived."

"Pardon, but before we travel down this conversation further, do you mind if I return to the previous topic?" Sigurd asked, frowning slightly. Deirdre nodded and forced herself to look up. "Ignoring the 'those people' part of what you said, what were the spells you mentioned? I don't think I've heard of either." He... was right. I did not recognize them either, and I actually knew the names of most spells thanks to Arvis. Grannvale was home to many magic users, after all, and there were even academies devoted to magical theory. Only Silesse could rival Grannvale when it came to magic, and even then, it was only with wind.

"I would be surprised if you did. They're dark magic," Deirdre answered easily, careful to speak softly. The words hit hard anyway. 'Dark magic'... that was the primary weapon of the Loptrians in the stories. Only they could wield them. Only they knew how. "I had to study it, so I would know if any of Loptr's people came to the forest."

"Why would they?"

"That..." Deirdre fell silent, noticeably uncomfortable. But before either of us could reassure her she did not have to answer, she nodded to herself and took off her right sandal. Then she twisted so we could see the bottom of her foot, and the surprisingly dark red mark there.

"Oh, were you injured?" I asked, leaning forward without thinking. I barely had a thought in my head aside from 'if it is that dark, it must hurt', as if I did, I would realize the question did not fit the flow of the conversation. "Here, let me look..." But when I touched the mark, to check for scabbing and lumps, I felt a spark of power buzz all the way up my arm. It even made my teeth hurt. "Wait, is this... a Holy Mark?"

"I've never seen one so small," Sigurd commented, leaning over my shoulder. Deirdre, for her part, remained silent and kept her head down. "A red Holy Mark... another with Fjalar's blood, then?"

"...No..." I frowned, studying the color of the Mark. It was... most would assume what Sigurd did. It was a vibrant red, like Fjalar's own Holy Marks, and it was even the same shade of vivid crimson as the famous 'Fjalar-red' hair and eyes common to the Velthomer region. But I… I knew the color of Fjalar's Holy Marks intimately. I had spent hours upon hours studying it in the past, wishing and hoping it might miraculously disappear and I would no longer be a living chain on Arvis. So, I knew, knew, the color of Deirdre's Holy Mark was close, but not the same.

As soon as the thought bubbled into my head, I pushed my sleeve and undid the bandage on my right arm to reveal my own Holy Mark. Sigurd made some noise in surprise, but I ignored him. Instead, I held my arm, my Mark, next to Deirdre's to directly compare the colors. It only confirmed my conclusion. The difference was slight, but it was noticeable. Both were red, but Fjalar's leaned a little more towards 'orange' and Deirdre's leaned a little more towards 'crimson'. They were distinct. They were different, and everyone knew each Holy blood had its own corresponding color. This was not Fjalar's. This was not any of the known Holy Bloods. No other Holy Blood had red colored Marks.

"...There are, in truth, thirteen Holy Bloods," Deirdre finally whispered, realizing the conclusion Sigurd and I had reached. I knew he had. I looked up and saw his wide eyes staring at my Mark and hers. "If one can call one of them 'Holy'. But Loptous also gave His blood, and I... am one of those descendants."

"The stories say the last Emperor of the Loptrian Empire, the last Gair, died without siblings or children," Sigurd replied slowly. I tried to figure out how we ended up in this situation in the first place as I wrapped my arm once again to hide my Mark. This was beyond bizarre. "Was there a convenient survivor? A child erased from history?"

"No..." Deirdre shook her head, still looking down. "Years before the Miracle of Darna, before the rebellion which became the Holy War, another raised their own rebel flag. A member of the Imperial Family."

"Saint Maera, I remember. He's credited with saving many, despite his rebellion's ultimate failure, and his followers continued to protect the empire's citizens for many years to come. Both Heim and Bragi counted themselves among his disciples." Sigurd paused, a light of recognition in his eyes. "Ah, but of course, he had the Blood as well. Minor to the emperor's Major."

"Yes." Thus, it eventually was inherited by Deirdre? "If Prince Jamke is with you, then you no doubt know of Sandima. He and his ilk came to Verdane to look for me."

"He is? They are?"

"Yes." She closed her eyes for a moment before continuing. "All I know comes from the old woman who took care of me, and even then, it's only what she whispered on her deathbed. Somewhere in this world, there lies an ancient order dedicated to the ancient dark god, Loptuous, and they will seek to use my blood to resurrect their once-fallen god." She lifted her head but did not look at either of us. Instead, she looked at the trees gently swaying in the wind. "That is why Saint Maera, and all his descendants, hid here, deep in the Spirit Forest where all others are lost. They must never find us. They must never find me."

"Is this... why you ran before?"

"Yes." She smiled bitterly. "I am one who will bring catastrophe. I am not allowed to meet people. Sneaking even to Marpha takes weeks of planning. I cannot bring such trouble on you two. You're both so nice."

"...While I am glad to hear it is not because I offended you, I have to say I am skeptical of this..." Sigurd frowned, no doubt struggling for his words. "Not of the blood, of course, or of other people's plans. Of course, I have to wonder if they'd even have such goals if the continent didn't hunt them like animals."

"You..." The bitter smile dropped for surprise. "I know of the Hunts. Verdane hosts them regularly." How ironic was it, then, that one of Loptuous's own blood hid in their forests for decades? "I have heard Grannvale is particularly... zealot about them."

"Most territories are, but Chalphy and Yngvi haven't hosted one in..." Sigurd paused, mentally calculating. "Actually, I believe Chalphy has only had one, in the immediate aftermath of the assassination of Third Princess Rinda at Crusader Bragi's funeral." Crusader Bragi had been the last of the Twelve Crusaders to die, so emotions had already been high. Even I knew of the bloodbath which followed the death of the little princess. She had only been two at the time, and nothing moved people faster than the death of a child. "Regardless, I was always taught they're immoral, a stain on the Crusaders' legacy. They never sanctioned any Hunts, after all."

"I... I see..." A sweet little smile bloomed onto Deirdre's face. "I should have guessed you thought that way. That's why I..." But all too soon, that smile withered. "I'm not allowed to love. I'm not." ...Wait, was she saying... what I thought she was saying? Because I could only think of one way that sentence made sense in context.

"Deirdre..." Sigurd leaned forward and, very carefully, rested his hand on hers. "I feel the same."

"You shouldn't."

"I do."

'You really shouldn't."

"That doesn't change that I do." He smiled a little helplessly and shifted just a little closer. I found myself staring, slowly piecing things together. "I have thought of you every day since I last saw you."

"I... I have thought of you as well." A faint blush crept onto Deirdre's face. I was mentally scrambling to figure out how we got from 'a' to 'b' in this conversation. Did I miss something? Maybe I missed something. "I tried not to. I tried to forget. Love may have found me still, but..." I definitely must have missed something.

"I understand you're afraid of what your destiny might bring, but living in fear serves nothing." Sigurd ducked his head a little to look her in the eye. "I will protect you. Come what may, I will. So, will you come with me? Since you feel the same as I do?"

"I..." She leaned towards him, almost unconsciously, though she still looked hesitant. Yet she looked at him so softly...

This was... very odd. I may have little to no experience with relationships, only what little I knew from gossip and observation, but I was still reasonably certain this was odd. They had only met once before. At my most charitable estimation of time, said first and only meeting was a few weeks ago. Was this a common thing for relationships? I somehow doubted this. ...But, again, I knew very little. It would not be the first time I was wrong. People were strange. Did not everyone in this army prove that statement? It was far better to focus on what I did know and what I thought of Deirdre's situation. Someone else could handle the relationship part, if it needed to be handled at all.

"Personally, I think you're being used as a scapegoat," I finally said, focusing Deirdre and Sigurd once more. Both seemed startled; perhaps they had forgotten I was here. "Ah, my apologies for interrupting. When my thoughts wandered, you two were debating in circles. Was that not still the case?"

"No, it was," Sigurd confirmed with a rueful smile. Deirdre's was far more timid. "May I ask you to repeat yourself? I think I caught something about a goat?"

"Scapegoat. I think Deirdre is being used as a scapegoat because of her heritage." It was... the more I thought about it, the more likely it seemed to me. It was the same reasoning behind the Hunts, only coached in nicer, more polite language. "She is a convenient target, and there may be some truth to what she was told." Though how a fallen god somehow returned, I had absolutely no idea. It sounded more like a theological discussion than anything. "Regardless of whether it is true or not, however, Sandima is already here. He's already close. You're in danger no matter what. You might as well leave with the one person in Jugdral who would protect you, no matter your heritage."

"Along with the healer who will treat you no matter what." Sigurd grinned at me, clearly teasing, and I smiled and shrugged. He wasn't wrong, and I knew he brought it up because I would protect her in my own way for that reason. "So, Deirdre?" Sigurd offered his hand. "Will you?" Deirdre still hesitated. "I won't force. But I do think Alicia is right. She usually is."

"I am not?" I gave him a weird look, which he shrugged off. "Regardless, Deirdre, you should do what you want, and not simply what you think everyone else wants." I looked back to her with a smile. "If you want time to think, please say so. I can remind a certain lord of his manners."

"Oh, will you shove me into the lake here? Sounds like something Ethlyn would do."

"I doubt I could." The thought made me uneasy, truthfully. "Though, if that is the recommended cure for rudeness, then perhaps I could try?"

"If you do, I'm dragging you with me."

"Please don't. I can't swim." I might have said more, or perhaps he might have, but Deirdre suddenly began snickering at us, so my attention returned to her. "Ah, I suppose we should be quiet and let you think, shouldn't we? I'm sorry, Deirdre."

"You know... I never heard my name so many times before today..." Deirdre managed through her barely suppressed laughter. I tried not to wince at how much my heart hurt, because I knew what that was like. "And I... I do want to be with you, Sigurd..." She brought her hand up to take his still-outstretched one, though she stopped just before. Her fingers trembled over his palm. "But I..."

"If you and I feel the same, Deirdre, then we have nothing to fear," Sigurd replied softly, smiling so sweetly. That seemed to give Deirdre the last courage she needed to take his hand at last. He kissed it and then raised it to his forehead, as if in worship or prayer. "If this love is a crime, then I will shoulder all the punishment and never shall I regret it."

"My lord..." Deirdre's eyes shimmered with tears, but she smiled brilliantly. "Thank you..." Now, if I were anyone else, I might have let the touching moment last a little longer. However, I was not, so I didn't.

"Well, if you're going to be coming with you, you'll need your things," I declared firmly, pushing myself up. I busied myself with dusting off my skirts to give them time to recover from my rudely jarring them out of their reverie. "We had best do this quickly lest you are discovered."

"That does sound like a good idea," Sigurd agreed, making to stand as well. He stilled when I shook my head. "Hmm?"

"You're staying here."

"Huh?"

"You are staying here." I repeated the words firmly, and Sigurd immediately adopted the look of a child trying to charm their way into a sweet. "I am easier to explain away than you."

"I suppose..." Still, he sulked and turned his pitiful gaze to Deirdre. She promptly giggled, though she covered her mouth to try and muffle it. "Well, I know better than to try and win an argument against you, Alicia, so simply promise to be careful. Both of you."

"I will ensure your fiancé returns in one piece, Lord Sigurd."

"Wait, you're not calling me by title again, are you?" Now he was playfully scowling at me. "No, no, I told you. We're conspirators too much! This is the third... or is it fourth? You and Edain did recruit Jamke together."

"I was a third-party to your conspiracy with Lady Edain."

"It counts, so fourth."

"Yes, yes..." I turned to Deirdre, who looked rather curious by what we said. "I'll explain on the way, Deirdre. It's better we get your things quickly."

"Ah, yes, of course!" Deirdre agreed, looking a little startled. Perhaps she was still overwhelmed by everything. "It's... this way, then." She almost pushed herself up, but I offered my hand and she shyly took it to let me help her. "We'll... we'll be back soon, Sigurd."

It would be nice if this went smoothly, but somehow I doubted it.

When we arrived in Deirdre's village, I was surprised by how normal it looked. I wasn't sure what I expected, but somehow, the array of wooden houses neatly arranged was not it. The wood was darker than the houses in Yngvi, and there were many more vines and moss growing on the outside walls than the housewives of Yngvi would ever tolerate, but those were truly the only differences. Well, it was quieter, but no more than Yngvi was at night. It was easy to imagine how it might be bustling, once everyone was awake.

Of course, we didn't walk through the town itself for me to confirm any other similarities. Hand in hand, Deirdre and I skirted along the outskirts until we eventually came onto a small house noticeably distant from the rest. The inside was only one room, with everything mostly neat and orderly. A small stove was tucked in the corner, and some dishes were scattered about. It was... it was very similar to my own house, back in Yngvi. The only thing missing, aside from personal items, was a blanket dividing the room.

"I suppose I should bring whatever I can carry…" Deirdre murmured, letting go of my hand to fuss about the room. Then she went to a small cupboard in the back corner, and opened it to reveal a handful of dresses hanging over a small pile of underwear. "It won't be much, but maybe I can…"

"I assume you do not have packs," I said, looking around the room. My eyes fell on her blankets and I tugged them free of the bed. She was the type to make her bed in the morning, it seemed. "So, let's use this as a makeshift one. We can tie it up."

"Oh, that's a much better idea." She smiled brightly and pulled everything from the cupboard. "Do you think it's… I mean, these clothes… I like them, of course, but…"

"If you like them, you should wear them." I took one of the dresses and folded it. "Lady Ethlyn no doubt will drag you off for shopping, but she certainly will not mind if you want them in a similar style." I paused in my folding, noticing the mended tears. They weren't bad, but certainly not up to my standards. I would fix them when we returned; now was not the time. "Since we are marching still, it is best you have enough clothes to feel comfortable. Anything new can wait." I grabbed another dress to fold. "Do you have another pair of shoes?"

"I don't, so that is one less thing to pack."

"In that case, gather what else you want to bring. I can handle this part."

"Thank you!" She darted to another corner of the room, one with a small table with drawers and something wrapped in cloth leaning against the wall. "Let's see… since we will no doubt face Sandima…" She pulled open one of the drawers and grabbed a white and gold which pulsed with power. No, it did more than 'pulse'; it all but glowed. "Hey there, Aura…"

"Aura?"

"It's a light magic." She tugged a leather holster out of the same drawer and awkwardly hooked it and its belt around her waist. I finished folding another dress and then went over to help her. "Thank you…" She smiled sheepishly and slipped the tome into the holster. "Light magic is the only counter to dark. In terms of the magic triangle, they exist outside, trump both, and are equal and opposite." Ah, yes, that was mentioned in the stories of the Crusaders' final battle. The dark magic of Loptous's followers devoured the elemental magic of the Crusaders, and only after Naga of Light poured all her power and blood into Saint Heim's Holy Weapon were they able to pierce the black heart of the last Emperor Gair. "As such, Saint Maera decreed all his descendants learn it to protect themselves. It's probably the one thing I'm talented at. Well, that and…" She reached for the cloth-covered object, and pulled the cloth away to reveal a silver staff. "This. I'm not too bad with staves."

"I don't think I've seen that one before." Then again, most of my knowledge of staves was limited to the healing types.

"It's called Silence." She picked it up and cradled it against her. "So long as my own magical power can overcome the target's resistance to magic, I can prevent them from casting spells. Or, well, talking in general. Which stops spells." Arvis had mentioned most spellcasters had to incorporate a verbal component to cast their spells. The only ones who could cast silently were those with Holy Blood. "Between both Aura and Silence, if someone came for me, I could buy enough time to kill myself."

"You could what?" I… I had to have misheard. I had to have.

"Hmm? Ah, yes…" She tried to meet my eyes, but couldn't quite. "That's… what I was told to do, from when I was little. If one of that order found me, I was to kill myself before they could take me away." Who… who told a child that?! Not even Father Eirik had told me that! In fact, he worked frantically to save me the one time I tried!

"Please don't do that now." Without thinking, I reached over and rested my hands on hers. "I will be most irate if I have to heal you from something like that."

"You'd heal me?"

"That's what I do. I'm a healer, Deirdre."

"Oh, yes, I know that. Everyone talked over how lovely a healer you are, though most worried if you ever did anything for fun." They what? I knew Mistress Yesui had fretted, but what did she mean by 'most'? "I… sorry…" She finally met my eyes, with a shy smile. "It's… strange to think of someone healing me, I suppose."

"I understand." I did. I wished I didn't, if only for her sake, but I did. "So, I will remind you." I made sure smile. "Let's finish packing. I have most of the clothes folded."

"Ah, yes!" She passed the staff to me, and then reached into the other drawer. "Truthfully, though, this is the only other thing I would want to bring." Inside was a book, one with a cover so battered I could barely tell the original color, much less the title. "This was my mother's. It and the circlet I wear... are the only things anyone ever gave to me."

"Is that so?" My heart ached at the thought. Though I protested, Arvis had gotten me many gifts over the years."What story is it?"

"I think I mentioned it to you before. The protagonist shares your name, Alicia." She clutched it to her chest with a shy smile. "I'm told it was her favorite, and it's mine as well. The idea of someone born in darkness finding happiness in the light nonetheless... it was my salvation, growing up." She turned to me, and her smile brightened. "Who would think someone with the same name would encourage me to seek my own happiness? Isn't life funny, sometimes?"

"...Maybe I should read it, one day." Back at her bed, I held out my hand for the book. "Here, we'll go ahead and pack it, so it is not forgotten."

"Yes!"

Deirdre handed me the book and did a quick sweep of her house to check if there happened to be anything else she wanted to bring. She also very carefully put everything back as it was, to hide how someone had taken everything out. Clearly, she had practice at it, but I didn't comment. Instead, I focused on folding everything and then folding the blanket so we tie it off into a makeshift pack while not being too awkward to carry. It took a few attempts, but we managed and before long, we had left the house behind and started on our way back. Somehow, I ended up carrying her Silence staff. I think I had picked it up to hand to her, but instead, she took it as our cue to leave and leave quickly. However...

"Ah, there's..." Deirdre murmured, not far past the treeline. Her gaze went to a very small path, almost overgrown with roots and flowers. If she hadn't said anything, I doubt I would have ever noticed it. "...I need to visit a place before we leave."

"If you're certain, then let's be quick about it," I replied, nodding. It was probably not a smart idea to agree, but how could I deny her? She was leaving the only place she knew. She had to be frightened, even if she had made her choice. "I would rather not be caught with your things. That shall be very hard to explain."

"Very." Her smile was scared; I took her hand. "Just down the path."

Deirdre lead me down the path, holding my hand so tightly her knuckles turned white. I merely squeezed back, ignoring the pain, and helped her when her hair got caught by branches and bushes. It was not long at all before we stepped into a beautiful meadow, though it was not dotted with flowers. Instead, it was dotted with stones. Graves, I realized, once we had gotten closer. It was hard to see, and not a one had a name written on them, but I knew the signs of packed earth under the grass. This was a graveyard, one Deirdre knew well. She easily picked our way through, until we reached one by the far end. Like with the others, I saw no name. There was only a lone flower, one with beautiful silver petals, resting on what appeared to be a faded drawing.

"I know it is silly..." Deirdre whispered as she knelt down by the grave. She set her blanket-pack on her lap and reached out to touch the stone. "But I wanted to say goodbye to Mother."

"I see," I murmured, not knowing what to say. The idea of visiting a grave was... I knew it was important to people, but I never had anyone I wanted to visit. I didn't like graves; I didn't like graveyards. I wanted to save everyone; graveyards were a reminder of how impossible that foolishness was. "I don't see a name."

"We don't mark them with them, for the same reason we change where the dead are buried every so often. It lessens the chances of being found." Graves implied living people were near. Only the living could bury the dead. "Instead, they're marked with a personal item and a type of flower. Aevlise blossoms are used for Saint Maera's descendants."

"Aevlise blossoms?" So, that was the name of the silver flower? I had never heard of it.

"They are one of two which only grow here, deep in the Spirit Forest. The stories say they bloom from the spirits' tears." She fussed with the stem, and then plucked a single petal to tuck into her holster, with Aura. "Mother, I... I'm leaving. It's scary, but I'm leaving. Did you feel this way when you left, all those years ago?" So, her mother left too? Why had she returned? Had she been too afraid? "They say you were tired and worn when you returned, more of a doll than the girl they remembered. I'll admit; I'm scared of the same. But I... I won't be alone." Deirdre snuck a smile at me before returning her attention to the grave. "I'll be leaving with Sigurd and Alicia. Alicia's the one here with me, and Sigurd is by the lake you loved so much. So, I think... I think I'll be okay. I hope you'll watch over me as I find my way, and not be too upset I can't visit anymore. I couldn't bear to make you sad." The wind suddenly gusted then, almost in answer. "Goodbye, Mother."

"Have you said all you wanted?" I offered my hand to help her up, and she took it before brushing the dirt off her skirts. Her blanket-pack nearly fell, but we caught it before it hit the ground. "I think it's safe to linger a little longer." That was probably a lie, but if she wanted more time to say goodbye...

"No, this is fine. I'm not sure what else to say." She shrugged. "I never knew her, truthfully. She died soon after giving birth to me. I was told..." She trailed off, clearly trying to remember. "They told me it was like she was holding onto life just long enough to see me born. Her health was in such tatters that she should've died long before, but she struggled to hold on anyway. I don't know why."

"...Perhaps your father was someone she loved dearly." I thought of the new mother in Marpha, who had tried the same. Were she and her baby still well? Did they both still smile?

"I think so too." Deirdre's smile was pained; I knew she wished she could've asked. "Maybe she's with him now. And her best friend. Supposedly, she talked a lot about her in her final days. Of course, no one tells me more. They never wanted me to be tempted into finding her."

"Is she why you sneak to Marpha?"

"...Maybe." Her smile became a little mischievous, and I could only smile back. Never underestimate a child's curiosity. "Of course, I found nothing. Mother must've run far when she left." Then she ran all the way back. What had scared her so? "So..." All at once, she stiffened and whirled back to the path with wide eyes. "There's... someone coming down the path." She clutched her blanket-pack, already trembling. All I could think was 'of course someone was'. "I..."

"Hide." I took her arm and nudged her to the surrounding trees, pushing the Silence staff into her hands. "Go on and hide. We'll leave once I've shooed them away."

"But..."

"Now." It took a few more nudges to get her to obey, but she finally did, slipping into the trees like a phantom. A lock of her hair got stuck in a bush, but we freed it and she ducked completely out of sight just in time.

"Who are you?" Not two seconds after Deirdre hid, a strong voice rang out through the clearing. "You..." they growled, eyes narrowed as I turned to face them. Absently, I noticed they looked a lot like Deirdre. Their features were just as delicate, and their hair was just as shining a silver. The only difference, aside from hair length, was their eyes, a pale gray to Deirdre's violet. Were the features and hair common for denizens of the Spirit Forest, like how my hair color was common to the Velthomer duchy? "You are not one for the trees, my lady. There's too much fire in your blood."

"What an odd thing to say," I replied, keeping my voice even. My healer's mask was firmly in 'place'. I would not be anything but calm here. I refused. "It is certainly not a greeting I am used to."

"It is the truth, is it not? You are of Fjalar's blood, blessed by Salamander of Flames." Their gaze was sharp, and I glanced down to my arm to confirm it was covered with bandages, as always. "I do not need to see your Mark to know. Those of Holy Blood have different scents and auras compared to the rest. There is the smell of fire through the herbs, and your aura flickers and glows despite the shadows. Who else could you be, but of her blood?"

"I was not aware any could sense Holy Blood."

"We were taught how by the Spirits." Well, that was convenient. "I have heard those blessed by Skadi of the Mountains and Forseti of Wind are also sensitive to it, but I obviously have not confirm it myself." I had best avoid any with Dainn's blood or Forseti's then. "None of this changes how you do not belong here. Why are you this far in the Spirit Forest?"

"I fear I am lost." In this case, it was best to be as technically truthful as possible. "While wandering, I managed to find my way here."

"You found your way here?" Their eyes narrowed suspiciously, but they could only scoff. After all, I told no lies. I simply did not tell the whole truth. "How convenient."

"It certainly is convenient for me to find someone." I smiled as calmly as I could. "Now I can ask for a way back, yes?"

"I take it you're with the army marching its way through the forest? Come to deal with the shadow strangling the king? Yes, I can tell you, but first I need to…" He sighed, shaking his head, and looked around the graveyard. "Damn, she's not here."

"Hmm?"

"No one you need concern yourself with." They looked around again more slowly, as if it would change how empty it was, before sighing once more. "However, if you happen to see a silver-haired girl around your age on your way back, tell her to return. It's for everyone's safety and happiness."

"...Everyone's?" The word was out before I could stop it. "Does that include her own?"

"Hmm?"

"Does 'everyone' include the girl you speak of?"

"..." They looked away. They actually looked away. "For the good of the many, we do what we must."

"That sounds like belladonna." They... understandably gave me a weird look then. "Do you know of the belladonna plant? Its berries are very sweet, and dreadfully poisonous. Many accidentally kill themselves mistaking it for something else."

"And you think my words are the same?" They arched a brow. "Sweet yet poisonous?"

"Are not all ideals?" Yes, I strove for the ideal of saving everyone. But I was perfectly aware of how foolish it was. I was perfectly aware it was impossible, and I would never fully be satisfied with my work because of it. But I still strove for it anyway, believing I would have fewer regrets seeking it than I would simply accepting the inevitable. "It sounds more logical than most ideals, but is it not an ideal nonetheless?" It was just as impossible. There was no such world where the 'many' prospered after only a 'few' sacrifices. Those 'few sacrifices' would occur again and again, and the 'many who would be saved' would dwindle and dwindle. If anything, I thought the words were even more poisonous than my ideal, because you could so easily trick yourself into believing it was 'for the best'.

"You..." They stared at me for a long moment. "You are a very strange person, my lady." They looked down before pointing to the trees. "Follow the silver blossoms and you'll find yourself at a lake. Stay there until the morning. By then, the klelia blossoms will open and show you the way back to the main path."

"Klelia?"

"They and the aevlise only grow here in the Spirit Forest. They're a dark blue, and close their blossoms when the sun sets. At sunrise, they open once more." They shrugged. "No one knows how they can tell, given how little of the sun's light reaches us here, but they do. It's useful for keeping track of time."

"I see." That was actually quite fascinating. Why would they do that? "Thank you."

"It's selfishness. Strangers should be avoided." That was fair. "Especially strangers like you." That felt a little less fair, especially when they were studying me so closely. "...Like a drawing..."

"Drawing?"

"It's nothing." They took a step back and, surprisingly, bowed. "A pleasant evening to you, but I must resume my search."

"Good night." Yet though we exchanged farewells, they lingered. "Are you waiting for me to leave first?"

"No…" They hesitated before nodding to themselves. "Just… you should pick one."

"Pardon?"

"One of the klelia blossoms. You should pick one." With that, they abruptly left, with absolutely no explanation whatsoever.

I waited until they disappeared into the trees before breathing a sigh of relief. However, that mention of 'drawing' did turn my attention back to the grave, where the flower rested on a piece of paper. I had to admit I was curious if it was the drawing they referred to I was even curious enough to creep closer and see if I could look at it. But it was terribly faded; I could barely tell there were two people. I might have been able to discern more if I picked it up to study, but I wasn't that curious. Besides, Deirdre was no doubt worried. So, I turned away and headed for the trees where Deirdre had hidden.

"Alicia?" Just as I got close, Deirdre quietly poked her head out from behind one of the trees. "Are you all right?" she asked me worriedly, tugging at my sleeve as soon as she could reach. Silence was stuck awkwardly in the crook of her elbow. "Eogan can be rather awkward with his words."

"I am fine, Deirdre," I reassured, taking Silence back to keep it from falling. 'Awkward with his words'... I wasn't certain if I would've described him as such. It would explain the abrupt departure, though. "I do think he's aware I will not relay his message, so we might want to hurry."

"Definitely. He's very good at finding me. That's why the Elder usually sends him when they can't find me." She made a face. "No doubt he's been searching for a few days. They check my whereabouts regularly." Was this a village or a jail? To her, it was likely both. "Still, it was sweet of him to tell you to pick a klelia."

"Was it?" I pointed into the trees as a silent indication that we really should be moving. She took the hint and snagged my hand to lead me through the forest. "I have to admit my confusion."

"Klelia blossoms are born from the spirits' hopes, and to carry one is to ask for their protection. Telling you to pick one was an awkward way of wishing you well." Was it? It sounded more to me he simply thought the strange girl needed all the help she could get. "For that reason, they're often pressed and preserved as tokens in the village."

"If that's the case, then we should press it with the petal you took." An impish thought came to mind, and I couldn't help but voice it. "They can be like you and Sigurd, silver and blue."

"Huh?!" Well, that was a loud yelp. "Alicia!"

"Actually, if we do that, you should pick a full blossom. Is that allowed? What does the aevlise flower symbolize anyway?"

"Peace and healing." Still, she was red in the face. She blushed very easily. "I can pick one."

"Then you should." I smiled innocently. "Hope and protection, peace and healing... what a pretty pair you will make." Her blush went darker. "Hmm? What's wrong? I was talking about the flowers there."

"You're mean. Meeeeeeaaannnn!"

"So, is that a no?"

"...I didn't say that."

"I thought so." I kept up the innocent smile and Deirdre sulked. "Where's an aevlise?"

"There should be one near… ah!" Deirdre dove behind a tree to push aside some of the grass, revealing a silver blossom shining in the shadows. "Here we are."

"That was fast. Do they grow all over the forest?" Then again, Eogan had mentioned using them as a path to the lake.

"We pick the graveyards based on proximity to them, so… yes and no?" Deirdre tucked her blanket-pack on her lap to free her hands. "This will take a second. Their stems are surprisingly tough."

"I see." I looked back to the graveyard, noticing it was not quite out of sight. Yet there was someone else already visiting. Standing in the middle was a woman with long silver hair just like Deirdre's, though I couldn't tell much else from here. I did think… she was looking right at us, though. "Deirdre?"

"Almost… there!" Deirdre held the blossom up triumphantly, smiling brightly. She almost fell, but I reached down to steady her. "What is it?"

"I think…" I looked back to the graveyard, only to no longer see the woman. There was… no sign of anyone. Had I imagined her? "We should get back to Sigurd before he tries to follow us."

"Probably a good idea." She looked at the flower in her hand and unexpectedly reached up to tuck it behind my ear. "That's probably the safest place for it for now. I need to hold your hand and my things, and you need to carry the Silence Staff." She paused and studied me. "You look nice with flowers in your hair."

"I shall take your word for it." It was better to not argue. "Lead on, Deirdre."

She took my hand to do just that and I glanced back at the graveyard to see if I saw that woman again. But there was no one, and no one followed us. I must have just imagined it.

We made it back to the lake with minimal problems. It was surprising, since Eogan was actively looking for Deirdre, but there wasn't even a hint of him by the time we returned to the lake.

"Hmm? Oh, he won't check the lake again for another day or so if he's checking the graveyard," Deirdre explained when I voiced my confusion. We had just stepped out of the trees and were trying to free her hair from a particularly clingy bush. Her hair caught on everything. "Alicia, how does your hair not get caught? It's not much shorter than mine."

"Maybe the plants fear the fire in my blood," I replied without thinking. Honestly, I had no idea why. Perhaps it was the same reason why I could get away without brushing my hair for a few days without dealing with matts and tangles. "But he won't look here?"

"Eogan checks the lake twice before looking at the graveyards, so by now, he's watching the path to Marpha. Which is no doubt complicated by your army." Deirdre muffled a giggle as we finally freed her hair. "He's the best at finding me, so I had to learn his habits to sneak to Marpha." Then hopefully, this would not be the day he decides to change said habits. "Ah, Sigurd, we've returned!"

"Welcome back!" Sigurd popped out of nowhere then and hugged us both. "I was starting to get worried," he admitted easily, with a slightly sheepish smile. "Is everything well?"

"We may have to deal with someone looking for Deirdre, but she thinks we're in the clear," I answered, deciding quickly to not mention the direct encounter in the graveyard. Deirdre's smile hinted she was grateful. "I am most pleased you listened and did not follow."

"I managed to keep hold of my faith while my worry tried to drown it." He let go of us both and took Deirdre's blanket-pack from her before offering his free hand. She took it with a pleased blush and even more pleased smile. "By which I mean I kept myself busy marking out a campsite. I set up a firepit as well out of habit, but it seems warm enough we don't have to risk it. Unless you two are cold? I still don't have a firestarter, of course, but..."

"Do we need one? If you need warmth, you two can simply sit by me." I followed the two over to the surprisingly tidy campsite. It looked neater than the army's, despite only being set up by one person in a relatively short time. "I'm still not hungry."

"Are you certain, Alicia?" Deirdre asked, twisting to face me. She made sure to keep holding Sigurd's hand, even as she sat down. Their touch lingered as they pulled away at last. "The area is good for foraging, and the fish in the lake are pretty tasty. I already ate, but I can gather something for you."

"I assure you I am well," I reassured, sitting down across the fire pit from her. Sigurd tucked Deirdre's blanket-pack safely on some rocks and then took the Silence Staff from me to set next to it. "Sigurd? Do you need food?

"Delighted as I would be to eat Deirdre's cooking, Quan made sure I ate while you were busy saving lives, Alicia," Sigurd answered with a grin, joining us on the ground, the third point of the triangle. Deirdre blushed once more at the word 'delight'. If she blushed at things like this, she would end up with a permanent blush before long. "I will accidentally skip meals when fretting, since my stomach gets twisted into knots. It's a known habit, so those around me take steps to make sure I don't collapse from hunger. Again."

"Then it seems we do not need a fire." That was a relief; I did not want smoke to show our whereabouts. However, now that we were sitting and had nothing immediately to do, I came to an awkward realization. I had nothing to do. I did not have my books or my mending. There were no patients. What was I supposed to do? I shouldn't waste time like this. Should I see about identifying the nearby plants or...?

"Um… Sigurd? Alicia?" Deirdre called, drawing our attention back to her. She had her knees to her chest, smiling shyly. "What... is the plan for when we return?"

"Plan?" Sigurd repeated, tilting his head. Both of us tried to think of what she meant. "For the army? That will depend on how everyone is. Actually, Alicia, do you have any ideas on numbers?"

"I am curious about that as well, but um..." Now her smile was awkward. "How do you plan on explaining me?"

"Explaining...? Oh, introducing you to everyone!" Sigurd scooted closer to her and gently rested his hand on her back. "I'll need to introduce you first to Ethlyn. She'll pout terribly if she's not first. Little sister and all. Quan will likely be with her, so you'll meet him at the same time. He's one of my best friends, and her husband. You technically already met Edain, miss apple fairy, but you can meet her properly now. She's my first friend. We've known each other since we were toddlers crawling about."

"Ethlyn... Quan... Edain..." Deirdre already looked overwhelmed with just those names. "There was that little boy who rode with you. Will I meet him too?"

"Shannan no doubt will be with Finn and Oifeye, so you'll meet all three. Finn is Quan's squire, and Oifeye is my cousin. And squire. Then there's... well, there's a few people." Sigurd rubbed her back, no doubt seeing Deirdre's mind spinning just as much as I was. "Ideally, you'll meet them one at a time. My knights will eventually make their oaths to you, but that ceremony can wait."

"Oaths?" Her voice was getting squeaky again.

"Knightly custom. You'll be my wife, thus the lady of their lord."

"Ah." Oh, Deirdre was actually swaying now. Poor Sigurd looked panicked. "So..."

"You know; none of that actually answers her question, Sigurd," I commented, deciding to intervene. Sigurd gave me a gratefully confused look, and let Deirdre rest on his shoulder. "I believe in this case, she was asking about how we plan on explaining how and why you hid a fiance from your little sister, best friends, and most trusted knights." Confused as I was, I was reasonably certain telling everyone they had only met once before was a decidedly unadvised course of action.

"That… is a very fair point," Sigurd conceded, becoming thoughtful. Deirdre just sighed in relief, and leaned a little more into him. "Hmm... well, I think we can explain the quiet by not wanting to overwhelm her?" He looked to Deirdre to confirm if she would be all right with that, and she nodded after a moment. Give her two seconds in our army, and I had no doubts everyone would have all the 'evidence' they needed to believe that little lie. "Though, the timeline..."

"...We can say I was helping." Arvis had told me, once, how my mother had smuggled letters between Cigyun and Prince Kurth and that was how their ill-fated friendship and love began. She had been their shield and messenger, until it killed her. "Many already feel sheepish for carelessly assuming Azelle's wish to spend time with me was for romantic reasons. They will easily believe they made a similar mistake here." If anyone asked directly, I could say we met on one of the walks. No one needed to know which one. "We can also reveal how those of the Spirit Forest aren't supposed to interact with outsiders to further explain why it was limited to me."

"Thus making everyone awkward enough to not ask more questions." Sigurd grinned and I found myself smiling back. We truly were conspirators too often. "I think that will work nicely. Quan might try to get me drunk enough to tell more, but I've a higher alcohol tolerance than him, so we'll be fine." He looked to Deirdre and snagged her hand to kiss it. "Is that fine with you?"

"I think so," Deirdre murmured, blushing prettily. Again. I truly did fear for how much she would blush in the coming days. I should research if one could faint from blushing too much. "It is enough of a story to cover most questions, and all of it is truthful enough so I won't stumble. I am not very good at lying." Honestly, the biggest question after giving the story would be 'how did she hide traveling with us?', but hopefully, no one would be rude enough to ask directly. If they did, should we remind everyone of the refugees? Would that be enough for them to fill in the gaps on their own?

"I'm rubbish at it myself, so I think this will also suit me fine." Sigurd's smile was blinding now, and he turned his attention back to me. "Also, Alicia, you look very nice with a flower in your hair. What flower is it?" Now, what was he...? Oh. Right, I had the aevlise flower tucked behind my ear still.

"Oh! I forgot all about it!" Deirdre scrambled over to take the aevlise flower from my hair. "We're going to press it, but didn't have time before. And our hands were full."

"That doesn't actually answer my question, but I'll wait." Sigurd hopped to his feet with a stretch. "Instead, I'm going to do a quick patrol around the area for any signs of people. Just in case."

"Be careful. Snakes like hiding in the roots." She waved him goodbye and carefully slipped the aevlise flower into the top part of her blanket-pack. "There. We'll work on pressing it properly in the morning, after we've picked a klelia for you, Alicia." With the flower safe, she shyly made her way over to sit next to me. "Um... thank you."

"...For?" I asked, twisting to face her better. She appeared almost unbearably fragile in the moonlight, like she would disappear in a blink.

"I don't think I said it earlier, so thank you."

"I seem to recall you saying it quite a few times." In fact, I would go so far as to say it was 'many' times. "I will, therefore, assume this is for something different than those times?"

"I... yes." She smiled prettily. "Telling me how you thought I was being used as a scapegoat, encouraging me to do what I wished... those gave me the courage I needed. Then you helped me pack, helped me escape, talked back at Eogan, and even helped come up with a story..." She looked away shyly, turning her gaze up to the stars. "Growing up, I was always the mistake. I should not have been born. It would have been better if I didn't exist. I would hear it under every word. I clung to hope Mother had held on so long to give birth to me because it made me feel they were wrong. In her eyes, at least, I was not a mistake."

"...No one is a mistake, Deirdre." This, I firmly believed. That was one of the reasons why I believed everyone should be saved. "If anyone is a mistake, it would be me. I was born when my father raped my mother, and that wasn't even the worst of his crimes." Then she threw me away. Surely, she thought of me as something unwanted. "Someone like you, who simply inherited a tainted legacy, is not a mistake."

"I would say the same to you. You're much too nice to be a mistake." She beamed and I could not bite back my smile. "Regardless, with you and Sigurd, I don't feel like way. I believe there will be happiness on this path. So, thank you."

"I could argue I did nothing worthy of gratitude, but that will start a circular argument." Her smile gained a touch of smugness, so I knew I was right. "Instead, would you like to hear a little more of the people you'll meet? I do not know many well, but perhaps it will be enough so they won't surprise you too much."

"I'd love that!"

So we spent the night, with me telling stories and her asking questions. When Sigurd rejoined us from his patrol, he added his own tales, mostly to make us laugh. It was... a strange night, and I knew the morning would be even stranger. But this was the result of our choices, so we would simply keep on walking. It was all we could do.

Author's Notes: So, like Deirdre said, the spell I had Sandima use was actually 'Poison', not 'Fenrir'. In FE5, if you steal a Poison tome, it automatically turns into a Fenrir, which is where I got the idea. Deirdre being aware of her heritage is brought up in game if, and only if, she is recruited after Sandima's death. The conversation is also where Sigurd's melodramatic 'if this love is a crime' line comes from, it seems. And yes, she and Sigurd do becomes lovers this quickly in game (though I think it's more that they have a 'massive' love growth as I think she officially becomes his lover the turn after she joins? Could be wrong). Meeting-to-Marriage speedrun for sure.

'Eogan' is a name from the same story as Deirdre's, though their mythical counterparts share a distinctly antagonistic relationship. Not so much here. 'Belladonna' is a type of poisonous plant in real life, rather famous for a number of reasons. Apparently, eating about 10 berries will kill an adult, and 2-3 will kill a child.