AUTHOR'S NOTES: Now that I am no longer displaced I can resume my biweekly updates as promised. Even with NaNoWriMo this coming month, I should still be able to write and release the next chapter per my original schedule. As far as the story goes... like some of the early chapters, this one is a lot of groundwork and a few more character introductions, because there is a lot to share and a lot for Petra to learn and discover.
Happy Reading!

PART TWO: WHITE CLOUDS

CHAPTER 011: SECRETS AND SECRETS

=Garreg Mach Monastery, 19th of Great Tree Moon, Imperial Year 1180…=

After more than a week of being at the monastery Petra was surprised that classes had not begun yet, although she had heard that they were still short a teacher. She had, on the other hand, met the rest of her classmates, as well as many students from the Blue Lion and Golden Deer houses, and developed different opinions on each one.

Many of the most noteworthy ones in her eyes had been ones she had met on her first day. She had not yet challenged Felix to a rematch, but the two crossed paths at the training grounds another couple of times and exchanged knowing glances. Ferdinand once again proved to be as sincere as he had on their first meeting, and Dorothea, while she showed disdain for him, seemed to tolerate him somewhat more when she was in Petra's presence.

Petra actually was brave enough to ask around for any information regarding the missing teacher. She did not learn much about it, other than that "he had fled only a few weeks prior to the arrival of the students". No one else seemed willing—or perhaps able—to share with her anything further than that.

One of her leads did take her to the weapons combat instructor, a tall and imposing man by the name of Jeritza. Perhaps it was Petra's own naturally fierce-looking visage that she steeled, but there was something almost threatening about the man even with a mask over his eyes.

"Excuse me," Petra approached him with confidence, but even that confidence wavered when Jeritza stared down at her. The significant height difference between the two of them—over a foot of height—did slightly intimidate Petra because Jeritza stared down at her while she nearly had to crane her neck.

"I know nothing of the coward who fled the academy," he shook his head after hearing Petra's inquiry. "If he was too cowardly to remain to teach a handful of children, what use would he have anywhere in Fódlan? I would find him myself and slay him, but he is too weak to be worth my time. Pray that you do not become the same."

"I do not have that level of weakness." Petra puffed her chest out slightly. "I am needing to be learning, but I am seeking to study how to become a better warrior."

"Hmph," Jeritza made no indication that he had been moved, "if that answers your question, then leave me be. I am not here for idle pleasantries or meaningless chatter."

"So you are knowing nothing of who the new teacher will be?" Petra asked one more time.

"No." Jeritza replied without even skipping a beat, "and if you do not stop pestering me I will remove your head from your body…" he paused, the sudden surprised fear in Petra's eyes evading his view, "or perhaps not. You would need to be a much more powerful warrior before I wished to kill you, child."

"That is not making any of the senses." Petra still stepped back despite her assertion, "I offer my apologies if I was making you angry."

"You aren't." Jeritza's curt reply came once again without hesitation. "Leave me be."

Petra walked backwards slowly before pivoting and walking away, trying to keep her composure not to break into a run. She did not fear that Jeritza would come track her down and murder her in her sleep, but instead of getting any closure, now she had more questions. Who was this man, and what did he know about the runaway former teacher other than that he was a coward?

Once Jeritza was out of view, Petra heaved a sigh of relief, but then caught a whiff of something sweet-smelling. She was unsure of what it was beyond that it was very strong and very fragrant. Petra did not consider herself a fan of sweets by most reckonings, but she had to know who or what the culprit behind this odd aroma was.

Petra had a hunter's senses, and her bloodhound nose was no exception. She swiftly tracked the scent to a golden-haired student that, when Petra examined her, made her realize that she resembled Jeritza in several aspects. She hoped that was just a coincidence, however. She was a Blue Lions student if the subtle blue motifs on her uniform were anything to go off of, but she also seemed noticeably older than most of the other boys and girls Petra had seen.

"Oh!" she exclaimed, noticing Petra behind her, and then turning back to her plate of cookies, which was the obvious culprit for what Petra had smelled, "did you want to share these cookies with me? I'm surprised more people didn't follow the smell… they're fresh from the oven so they might still be a little hot!"

"Mercedes, yes?" Petra asked. She thought about asking if she knew Jeritza, but decided not to potentially sour the mood in that regard.

"That's me!" Mercedes beamed, holding the plate up, "would you like a cookie?"

"I think I am okay," Petra shook her head, "I enjoy things with sweetless that are like fruits, but the sweet things of Fódlan are… too sweet for me."

"Too sweet?" Mercedes tilted her head, "I didn't know there was such a thing! I don't want to impose, but could I at least get you to try one? I've never actually had anyone dislike my cookies before after they've at least sampled them."

Petra wanted to politely decline again, but Mercedes' warm puppy eyes swayed her. There was something compelling about this woman, and she wondered if Mercedes knew just how persuasive she could subconsciously be.

"Alright," Petra's politeness won over her caution, "I will be giving one of them a try."

True to her theory, the cookie was very sweet—more so than she liked, but at the same time, the warm, chewy texture and the semisweet bits of chocolate inside it made Petra almost change her mind about sugary confections on the spot.

""And you were the one who was making—who made these, yes?" Petra exclaimed.

"Yes, it's one of my favourite recipes!" Mercedes beamed proudly, although her smile and reaction seemed more as someone proud of their work and happy that someone else enjoyed it, rather than trying to stroke a personal ego. "I understand if they're not your thing, but thank you for humoring me and trying one."

"How did me eating a cookie give you humor?" Petra tilted her head, "did it have funniness?"

"Oh," Mercedes giggled, "humoring someone just means to do something, like fulfill a request. Although it was kind of funny to see your eyes get wide when you tried it."

"I was not using it—not used to it," Petra admitted, "it has much sweetness, but in a way that was different than what I have familiarity with. Maybe you will be the one that will be teaching me to like sweet food, although I do not think I will stop my enjoyment of spicy foods."

"Maybe I just have a sensitive mouth, but spicy foods always hurt when I try them, so I prefer to leave them for someone else who would enjoy them more than me."

"That is a smart way to be seeing things," Petra smiled, "you are full of wisdom Mercedes."

"Oh, I wouldn't go that far," Mercedes giggled, "many people call me ditzy or scatterbrained, but I'm glad you think highly of me."

"I am not having reasons to be thinking badly of you," Petra tilted her head, "you have much kindness and politeness and patience. These are good things to be having, yes?"

"Yes, very!" Mercedes clapped her hands twice in delight, "and you have them too, Petra. I'd even say you are the kind of princess every girl should aspire to be."

"You are so full of kindness and it is making my heart full!" Petra blushed, putting a hand to her chest. She quietly swore she would be the one that made her finally learn how to like Fódlan sweets. If not the confections themselves, her kindhearted and very motherly personality would definitely win Petra over. "Thank you so much."

"My pleasure!" Mercedes smiled sweetly. It was difficult to not want to gush about how relaxing this woman was to be around. She would definitely leave Petra with much to think about.

"I am liking sweetness when it is natural," Petra repeated, thinking back to the cookies Mercedes had made that she had found to be surprisingly delicious. "but there are so many things in Fódlan that have too much sweetness for me to be liking. I do not mean to be giving any offensiveness."

"Oh, there's no offense to be had," Mercedes had told her with a beautiful smile, "everyone has their things they like and dislike. I'm not one for spicy food, for example, but I would never want to deprive you of it, since you seem to enjoy it immensely!"

"You are a woman of much kindness, Mercedes." Petra smiled. "Can we be friends?"

"Of course we can, silly," Mercedes giggled, "well, perhaps it's not a silly question, but I would love to call you my friend."

"That is very well," Petra smiled. "You have my thanks, Mercedes."

While Mercedes seemed to have presented herself at face value to Petra, she could not help but wonder if she was related to Jeritza, but had been too nervous to ask. Mercedes was a kind soul and she had not wanted to sour the mood, while she was genuinely concerned that if she crossed Jeritza that he might attack her.

In any case, Petra returned to her own devices for the next little while. She managed to meet up with Dorothea several more times at lunch or dinner, and the two of them swiftly became meal buddies. A few times they were joined by Ferdinand, or a couple of times by Caspar and his friend, a green-haired mage named Linhardt. Linhardt usually just ate indifferent to who was around him, or sometimes fell asleep right in his seat, while Caspar mostly enthused about his latest spar or got particularly excited when meat was on the menu. Edelgard and Hubert usually stuck to themselves, and their last classmate, Bernadetta, was a known recluse that Petra rarely saw—and this intrigued her about the little mousy girl. She recognized her from the game piece carved in her likeness, and wondered how talented she was with the bow. Any time she tried to approach her, however, Bernadetta ran off to her room, and Petra was not one to push the subject.

Dorothea on the other hand, seemed much more inclined to share her opinions regarding her classmates, particularly Ferdinant, Edelgard, and Hubert, although she also had a few remarks about Caspar when she noticed the way Petra behaved around him.

"Don't think I haven't noticed, Petra." she waggled her finger, "so what's up between you two?"

"I do not think he has understanding." Petra stroked her chin, "His father and my father met on the field of battle once, and I do not have certainty that he knows this."

"Her certainly seems curious about you," Dorothea admitted, "but don't equate the sins of a father for the sins of the son. My father was almost as contemptible a man as Duke Aegir."

"You still show unkindness to Ferdinand though," Petra pointed out, "And he does not have the meanness that Ludwig von Aegir has."

"It's… complicated." Dorothea stammered.

"My relationship with Caspar von Bergliez also has much complication," Petra interjected, "I… do not have certainty if I am wanting to share it right now."

"I understand," Dorothea shook her head, "I hope I didn't touch on anything too sensitive."

"I have hopes for the same." Petra nodded. They ate the rest of their dinner in relative silence, although after Petra left the dining hall, she ran into Claude again, almost as if he had been waiting for her. This was not the first time since their initial meeting that they had crossed paths, and throughout the last few days the two of them learned more about each other, as well as more about how each of them thought in a game of ruthless strategy. It was difficult to discern if either party was throwing a match or if they genuinely were conquering or surrendering to one another, and Petra wondered if this time would be any different.

"So you haven't grown fed up with me yet?" he teased.

"I am well-fed here," Petra giggled, "Although that is another figuring of speech, yes?"

"You'll catch on to 'em soon enough," Claude winked, "but aye, with how much I pester you I'm surprised you're not sick of me by now."

"You are not giving me sickness either," Petra chortled, "your board game gives me much enjoyment, especially when we make the little changes to give it improvement. Is that what you are coming to ask me about?"

"That's one of the things, yeah," Claude offered his hand. "You've got a keen eye and a good sense of awareness too though, and that's what I want to ask you about."

"More of the scheming then," Petra allowed him to take her hand, following him up towards his dorm room, "what is it this time?"

"You really are a princess in just about every aspect, aren't you?" Claude quipped, "it's adorable, but I digress. I've been thinking of more challenges, more ways to play. You in?"

"I have much enjoyment of challenges," Petra smiled as they reached Claude's room, "tell me the new rules."

As they played several more games, Petra pointed out any perceived flaws in the new rule structure, Claude mentally noting them and also telling himself of any idiosyncrasies that the new rules may have introduced. The conversation took an intriguing turn after their 4th game however, when Petra decided to pop a broad question.

"You are enjoying your time at Garreg Mach too, yes?" she asked.

"Hard to say before classes have started," Claude admitted, "Nobles and commoners are equal here which is a nice change of pace, and for the most part we're all buddies. Social rank doesn't matter much when you put your life in each other's hands. I like that about this place."

"I have your same opinion," Petra smiled, prodding one of her pieces forward and then three squares to the left, "Status is chosen by chance, not by a person. Everything became different when I was taken from Brigid to Adrestia. Being royalty did not stop life from surprising me."

"I'd say the same," Claude agreed, wondering if Petra would catch the implications, "although if there's anything this place has also taught me, it's that everyone has their fair share of secrets… including the Church of Seiros and the Monastery itself."

"I had the feelings that you would notice this too." Petra's eyes lit up, even though Claude successfully removed one of her pieces from the board. "There is much secrecy here, and it gives me much confusion. I can have understanding that people are wanting privacy, but sometimes it is like people are pretending to be someone completely different from who they really are."

"Really now?" This piqued Claude's interest enough that he leaned forward, steepling his fingers even as Petra's pieces broke through his ranks in retaliation for the piece she had sacrificed a turn ago, "Such as who? This is the juicy stuff, isn't it?"

"I am feeling like everyone is having the secrets. Petra admitted, "even you, Claude."

"I'm not trying to wrest your secrets from you quite so early, princess," Claude grinned, even as Petra pushed his game pieces into a defeated position. "but you're right about that. It seems like everyone has their secrets they hold to their chest. Princess Edelgard, Prince Dimitri, Archbishop Rhea, the Knights of Seiros, and honestly, I'd wager just about all of our classmates, from dark and brooding Felix Fraldarius to sweet and saccharine Mercedes von Martritz. I've even heard rumors that there's an entire city under this monastery, but even my best eyes and ears haven't found any sign of it."

"We have only been here for a few days though," Petra assured her, "perhaps we will learn if this rumor has truthfulness or not before the class year is over."

"With that attitude?" Claude crossed his arms in approving amusement, "I'll wager you'll find out every inch of this place before half the year's over."

Petra was not sure if Claude was giving her hollow praise or if he really believed in her that much, but she took it as a compliment regardless. All of his claims of being a schemer were definitely true, but even without accounting for whatever secrets Claude von Riegan held close to his chest, it seemed that every time she answered one question she had about Garreg Mach, a dozen more sprung up in its stead. Despite that, however, she would not let that deter her from her chosen path, and she reminded herself of her patient, steady pace.

"One step before the next step."