Lilia's Journal Entry: 23rd Blue Sea Moon, 1166

Another tiring yet lovely day!

We've been doing some more stockpiling in the kingdom before we head east towards the Alliance. Arthur decided it would be smart to blow a horn in my face to wake me up! In my fright I slapped him and everyone laughed. His cheek now has a big red mark on it! I am not sorry for what I did, though. Oddly enough, however, from the grin he's been wearing all day I don't think he regrets his actions.

I also did some more reading with Byleth today. The only good thing about all of the noble men who'd pestered me as a songstress was that they gifted me books in attempts to win my favour. I took all of them with me when I left Enbarr. Today, I decided to go through my favourite one with Byleth, the 'Traveller's Journal,' the book that had made me dream of travelling across Fódlan and escaping the prison of my old life.

We went through the section about Almyra and the Alliance as Jeralt's never taken him that far east before. I did the reading again, but something amazing happened. I asked him (as I've tried to previously), to follow the words on the page with his finger and today, he did! And when I asked him to repeat words, he did that as well. He even said "horsemanship"!

He is changing, I can feel it. I don't even shudder when I'm around him anymore. It's incredible, he's changed more in these last few months then he's done in an entire year. It's as if that blow to the face back in Faerghus did something to him.

I'll pray to the goddess tonight that he continues to change.

BACKSTORY

10th, Red Wolf Moon, 1166

'You're an idiot,' Pieter spat.

Arthur raised his arms. 'Well excuse me for trying to inject some humour into the day, your dullness.'

'Call me that again and I'll break your neck.'

'Guys, c'mon,' Jeralt said, walking ahead of them. 'It's done, just leave it be.'

'This idiot chucked our food off a fucking cliff,' Pieter said.

'He didn't mean to,' Jeralt replied.

'Yes he did!' Pieter spat. 'Because he knew it meant we'd have to go fishing!'

'Well… we haven't been fishing in a while so it's not all bad,' Jeralt replied. 'We'll grab some fish and then join Alain and the others in the afternoon. It could be worse.'

'Why did you throw our food down a cliff, Arthur?' Lilia asked.

'I didn't,' Arthur replied, shrugging.

'He did,' Pieter said. 'He thought it'd be funny to play with the fish like puppets, and then he thought it'd be even funnier to throw them down a damn cliffside!'

'Hey, hey, I didn't mean to, I fell, alright?'

'Lies and you know it.'

'It's the truth!'

'This does sound like something you'd do, Arthur,' Jeralt said, grinning. 'You're just lucky I'm happy to go fishing today.'

'Thank you for your support o' wise leader of ours,' Arthur replied. 'Jokes on all you anyway, the seagulls loved the dropped goods. I am their king now. They shall call me Arthur, lord of the seagull'-

Pieter drove his elbow into Arthur's stomach and the man crumpled over. Pieter smiled. 'Okay, I feel a bit better now.'

Jeralt chuckled, shaking his head. In truth, he really was glad they were going fishing. He looked around. The tree branches and their dark green leaves rustled in the morning breeze. Sunlight trickled through them, creating patterned shadows on the ground. Birds tweeted around them and a river flowed nearby. The mercenary leader inhaled the cool air and sighed.

'Beautiful,' he murmured. He looked down at his son, Byleth, who walked beside him.

'What's on your mind, kid?' he asked.

'I can smell pine,' Byleth replied.

Jeralt smiled. It'd been five months since the boy had been struck in Fhirdiad and he'd changed so much since. He'd become observant and a curious sparkle had formed in his eyes. He still didn't talk a lot but when he did, he now replied in full sentences. He'd also stopped sitting for hours on end motionless, and instead stayed closed to him, Arthur or Lilia.

He remembered his discussion with Lilia, the one that'd occurred shortly after Byleth had been struck. He'd pleaded with her not to give up on Byleth, that over time, with enough love and care given to him, he would change just as his mother had once done. He was grateful she agreed to stay. Most people didn't have faith in Byleth, or that he could change. Some even questioned if he should be allowed to live.

But now, Jeralt was being proven correct. His smile widened, remembering how his mother had changed, remembering her eyes widening in surprise for the first time. It'd been when he'd brought her flowers. Everyone had been astounded, had remarked that they'd never witnessed such an expression on her face before… or any expression for that matter. And then they'd shared their first kiss together soon after, and that was when she'd smiled for the first time in her entire life.

'Yeah, I smell pine too,' Jeralt replied. 'From the trees. They're nice, aren't they? Your mother always used to love being in the woods for that reason. That and to find forget-me-nots. In fact, I know Lilia's been teaching you a few things about flowers. Can you see any forget-me-nots around here?'

Lilia caught up to them and watched Byleth as he cast his eyes around the woodland. He pointed in the direction of a trickling stream where small blue and pink flowers sat.

'Correct!' Lilia said, smiling.

'Smart, just like his old man,' Jeralt said, grinning. He looked up at Lilia, 'You've never been fishing with us before, have you? Ready to learn?'

'I suppose,' Lilia said as Arthur burst out laughing behind them. 'Although I must say I disapprove of condoning the silly man's behaviour if he really did purposely throw away our breakfast.'

Jeralt chuckled. 'Believe it or not, there's method in his madness.'

Lilia frowned. 'What do you mean?'

'Well, would you agree that we've all been stressed out recently?'

Lilia considered the question and then nodded. 'I suppose it has been a busy few months for us.'

Jeralt nodded. 'You're right, and I think Arthur's made us go fishing as a way to make us relax.'

Lilia snorted. 'I believe he stressed Pieter out even more with his antics, and if what you say is true, why did he not just suggest we should go fishing instead of playing this silly game?'

Jeralt chuckled again. 'Yeah, it's stupid, but it's just the way Arthur does things and I think it's a good call. Fishing is one of the best ways I know to relax and help bring people together.'

'Really?' Lilia asked. 'It looks rather stressful.'

'Nah, you'll be surprised just how fun it is once you get started,' Jeralt continued. A broad smile grew on his face. To Lilia, he suddenly looked young. 'You cast and then you wait and…'

He clenched his fist.

'Then you feel a tug on your rod. You pull but something's pulling against you. You reel and that's when you know you've got a bite, you're in for a battle.'

His smile widened into a toothy grin.

'You pull, the harder it is, the bigger the fish. It thrashes and jerks. Your arms ache and sometimes you can even be thrown off balance, but you stay strong, and if you do it right, and bring it in close enough… you give a final heave and pull your catch from the water and it's… one of the best feelings.'

He sighed, and that's when he saw Byleth gazing up at him. His eyes were alit and Jeralt's heart leapt. The boy's face was expressionless but-

His eyes…-

Everyone had always remarked that Byleth had a lifeless gaze in his purple eyes. They'd changed in the past five months-

But I've never seen them sparkle so much before….

The sound of a horse and cart trundling along a road some fifty feet away snapped Jeralt out of his thoughts, as did another of Arthur's squawking laughs. Byleth was now gazing back at them. Jeralt smiled and ruffled his son's blue mop of hair.

'Don't worry about them. They'll settle down once the fishing starts. They're just hungry.'

'Are we even allowed to fish in this area?' Pieter asked. 'I thought only nobles were allowed here?'

'Officially,' Jeralt replied. 'I think they like to host fishing competitions from time to time, but if they spot us we'll just say we didn't know. I don't think they'll give us any trouble.'

'Great,' Pieter said. 'Well, if we get caught, I'm telling them Arthur pissed in their river.'

The bickering between the two men continued until they finally reached a large open river past the trees. Water flowed down towards a bend some fifty metres ahead. The water sparkled in shades of blue, brown and gold. Wisps of seaweed danced above shimmering rocks and soil that lay underneath. Large boulders sat on either side of the bank, giving them privacy.

Arthur inhaled and spread his arms.

'Beautiful!'

'Get to work,' Pieter said. 'If you don't get us a fish in the next hour, I'm breaking your nose.'

An hour passed and Arthur inhaled fully through unbroken nostrils. He turned and grinned at Pieter, who now cooked a fish over a spitfire with Lilia. Pieter flipped his middle finger at him.

'You caught one. Jeralt caught two.'

'Yeah, but whose fish you cooking?' Arthur asked, winking. He cast his rod into the river again. 'I'm a fishing magician after all!'

'Is that what you tell yourself?' Jeralt asked, casting in his own line further along the rocks. Arthur winked at him.

'Don't be jealous Jeralt, it's just my gift.'

Arthur saw Jeralt grin. It was a mischievous one he usually held after a few drinks.

'Yeah, well your other gift is laughing like a woman.'

A squawk of laughter escaped Arthur. He giggled and sighed. 'Okay, you got me big guy. Anyway, how's our champ doin'?'

'Good,' Jeralt said. He turned and looked at Byleth just as he prepared to cast his own rod. A year ago, getting him to fish would've been impossible.

Just another clue that he's changing, Jeralt thought.

He watched the boy twist his torso and bring his rod behind his shoulder. He looked down. He edged his left foot forward and then adjusted his grip on the rod. He exhaled and then spun his torso forward, swinging his rod and sending the hook soaring into the air. It landed with a plop near the middle of the river.

'You're getting good kid,' Jeralt said, patting his back. 'Won't be long before you get your first catch. Just make sure you don't reel in too quickly this time.'

'And watch your leg, make sure it does not get caught,' Lilia said, walking over to him. The boy nodded again and adjusted his back leg.

'The fishing magician's over here if you wanna learn how to fish like a pro, Lilia!' Arthur called, winking at her.

'Not until I have eaten,' Lilia said.

'I'll hold you to that.'

'Don't,' she mumbled, rolling her eyes. 'I still need convincing that it is worth my time.' She looked down at Byleth. 'Are you having fun?'

Byleth looked up at her and did something she and Jeralt never forgot for the rest of their lives. He nodded at her. 'But how have dad and Arthur caught fish but not me?'

Lilia froze. From the corner of her eye, she saw Jeralt's head spin. The boy she'd once likened to a walking corpse now looked up at her expectantly.

He's never asked a question before, she thought.

Her heart thundered in her chest. Her jaw felt heavy. She opened and closed it before finally speaking.

'I-It's just the way it is, luck,' she said. 'It d-depends on where the fish are and if they find your hook. Do not worry you shall get a bite soon.'

Jeralt stood with wide eyes. Sitri entered his mind again and his heart fluttered.

'Nice catch Jeralt!' Pieter called, from the spitfire. Jeralt blinked and looked at his rod. A large fish dangled on the hook.

'T-Thanks,' he muttered. He brought his rod in and eased the fish off before letting it back into the water. As he did this, he felt Byleth's eyes on him.

He wants to catch a fish, he thought. Before he could open his mouth, Arthur walked over.

'How we doin', kid? Any bite yet?'

Byleth shook his head, then he paused. 'Maybe.'

'Let me see,' Arthur said, taking the rod and reeling. His eyes widened. 'Oh kid you do! Here, take it back, this is your time.'

'He does?' Lilia asked. Arthur nodded and walked further into the river. He leaned forward.

'It is! Go get it kid!

Byleth nodded and began to pull.

'Go go go!' Lilia cheered.

'Remember Byleth, pull and then reel as you drop the rod,' Jeralt said, putting a hand on his shoulder. 'Just like we've practised. Pull and reel, pull and reel.'

'It's a big one,' Arthur cried. 'Keep pulling, kid!'

'Keep going!' Lilia said.

'Nearly there Byleth keep going!' Jeralt said. He looked at his son. His face was still expressionless, but there was no mistaking it, he could sense excitement in him. He grinned and looked out at the river, but then he frowned and squinted his eyes.

'Oh c'mon Arthur,' he said, sighing.

'What?' Lilia asked.

Byleth gave a final tug and brought his catch to the surface, a large clump of seaweed. He stared at it for a moment and then looked at Arthur. The man bent over and squawked his screeching, seagull-like laugh.

Lilia eyes widened. She looked at Byleth and then at Arthur. 'Not funny!' she shouted. She turned and slapped his arm. He slipped onto his backside, but it only made him laugh louder.

'Why am I not surprised,' Jeralt murmured, shaking his head. He looked down at Byleth again and felt his heart pang.

He really wants to catch a fish, he paused. If he did… would that make him-

Byleth looked at Arthur and then at the seaweed on his hook. His mouth twitched. Jeralt's eyes widened.

Does-… was that a smile? Did he find that funny?

Lilia, whose face was scrunched up in a childish frown, yanked the seaweed from Bylelth's rod and hurled it at Arthur. It slapped his face with a loud squelch.

'You are a…'- Lilia started, but Arthur's laugh rose into a high-pitched squeak, making her break into a fit of giggles of her own. Behind them, Pieter howl with laughter.

Jeralt kept his gaze on Byleth. The boy watched the two of them laugh. His mouth didn't twitch again.

But I can feel something, he thought. There's something there.

He put his hand on the boy's shoulder.

'C'mon, cast again. Let's get you a fish and rub Arthur's nose in it.'

Byleth nodded. He raised his rod and cast. His bait landed near the middle of the river again.

'Down here!' a voice echoed.

The group turned their heads left to the north. Jeralt stepped into the water, wading out past the large boulder and poking his upstream.

'Nobles?' Lilia asked, joining him and squinting her eyes. Arthur and Pieter followed.

Further up the river they saw four people in peculiar, flamboyant clothing, tumble out of the trees down to the bank, pointing and shouting.

'Looks like nobles to me,' Arthur said. 'No one else can afford clothing as stupid as that.'

'I remember hearing a horse and cart back in the woods,' Jeralt murmured. 'Maybe it belonged to them.'

They watched as one of them, a teenage boy in a blue and gold jerkin with brown leggings, leapt up and down, pointing and yelling at the water. His voice squeaked and echoed. A smaller yet older plump man with stubby arms scampered to the river side and swung a fishing rod.

'Fishing as well,' Pieter muttered.

'Yeah, but something's off... they're panicked about something,' Jeralt said.

'Eager too,' Arthur said. 'Seems like they're trying to catch something pretty important.' He grinned as the squeaky, blue-jerkin-wearing boy screamed again. The plump man jolted and tumbled over. He scrambled to his feet and reeled in his line.

'That's not good,' Pieter said. 'We need to get out of here before they see we're using their river.'

'Let's find out what they're up to first,' Jeralt replied. 'I don't think they'll give us any problems.'

They watched as the four of newcomers dashed in different directions. Two hobbled over large rocks towards the far side of the river whilst the boy in the blue-jerkin and the small plump man scampered down the bank in their direction. As they ran, the mercenaries heard their conversation.

'It's getting away, daddy! This is the last time you eat pork before fishing. Run!'

'St-St-Steady- Steady yourself, Acheron! We'll- We'll catch it!'

'We better! You promised!'

"Daddy", the small plump man, wheezed, 'We'll get it. Just'-

There was a short pause and the mercenaries heard them both huff and grunt as they climbed to the top of the boulder near them. The boy was the first to emerge at the top. He locked eyes with them and frowned.

'W-Who are you?' he asked. Jeralt looked at the boy. He figured him to be a teenager, fifteen or sixteen perhaps. He had long, floppy blonde hair, gaunt cheeks and a spotty face he immediately disliked. His voice was posh and it made him crinkle his nose.

'Just people doing some fishing. What's all the panic abou'-

The boy puffed out his chest. 'I am Acheron of the House of the North Airmid River. This part of the river belongs to us. Me and my daddy are currently using them to capture a rare fish. (He pointed his green and yellow rod at them). We demand that you stop your fishing at once and get out of our way.'

'D-don't be like that A-Acheron!' The small plump man emerged from behind Acheron. His face was red and sweat glistened his skin. He bowed. 'G-Greetings, I… I am Artes, leader of the House of the North Airmid River. P-Please, we are t-trying to catch a… a rare fish that we placed in these waters as a challenge. Help us if you can.'

Acheron spun his head back. 'But daddy!'

'We need their help Acheron, if that fish goes any further, we'll lose it.'

'What kind rare fish are we talking about?' Arthur asked.

'The goddess messenger.'

Arthur's eyes widened. 'You're joking.'

Artes shook his head. 'Nope, received it as a gift from House Gloucester. Decided over one too many drinks that we'd test our capabilities and attempt to catch it ourselves! (He rubbed his head) Eh, we put it into the water but it moved too quickly for us. We've hurried past it in an attempt to get it, luckily the water here moves slowly. (He pointed) it's just reached the bend in the river further up. It's easy to see, you can recognise it by its'-

'Glowing gold colour,' Arthur breathed. Pieter whistled.

'A glowing fish?' Lilia asked.

'They're the rarest fish in all Fódlan!' Arthur said. There was a tremor in his voice. 'It's the only fish I've never been able to catch!'

Artes nodded. 'Well now's your chance. I don't care who gets it, I just don't want it getting away, I'll be the laughing stock of the Alliance roundtable if that happens! It's big though, so be careful. (He pointed at the two men now rushing down the bank on the other side of the river). We've split up to try and catch it, but if you guys spread out further down the river it would help as well.'

'But what if it doesn't bite?' Lilia asked. 'Or what if it goes down the middle where the hooks cannot reach?'

Artes wiped more sweat from his forehead. 'Well then… eh… then we've lost it then, haven't we?'

'But we won't!' Acheron said, stomping his feet. 'We have the special bait on our hooks, it won't be able to resist, Lord Gloucester told me so!'

'That's true,' Artes said, eyeing the peculiar green critter stabbed onto the hook. He looked up at the mercenaries again. 'But please, cast your lines anyway, if any of you catch it we shall reward you handsomely.'

'How much?' Pieter asked.

'50,000 gold pieces.'

Jeralt whistled. 'You got yourself a deal. Arthur, Lilia, grab rods. Byleth's already cast here, we'll go further up.'

Lilia shook her head. 'I do not know how to fish. I shall stay with Byl'-

'I'll teach ya,' Arthur said, grabbing her rod, 'C'mon.' He took her hand and pulled her towards the opposite rock. Pieter followed. Jeralt put a hand on Byleth's shoulder.

'Remember what I said and you'll be fine. We'll just be on the other side of the rock if you need us. Do your best.'

Byleth nodded. Jeralt squeezed his shoulder and then moved over the large boulder himself.

'You two cast here and I'll go further up and track its progress,' Artes said. He turned and climbed back down the other side of the boulder.

Acheron climbed down onto the bank. He glanced at Byleth and then crinkled his nose. He strode up to a point a few paces off him and cast his own rod. He turned and sneered.

'When the goddess messenger fish comes our way, you are to withdraw your hook immediately. This is my catch, my challenge, and I will not have some simple commoner disrupt this moment for me, do you understand?'

Byleth turned and looked at the tall skinny boy. Acheron frowned.

'Well?'

Byleth blinked and then turned his gaze back to the water. Acheron felt his face redden.

'Excuse me, I demand you look at your superior!'

Byleth gazed at him again. Acheron glared.

'Do you even know how to speak? And wipe that look off your face, show some enthusiasm! You are in the presence of a noble, a future heir to the House of the North Airmid River! You should be honoured! Exalted!'

Silence was Byleth's response. Acheron sighed and spat. 'I see, you must be one of… those… you're lucky you weren't thrown away at birth.'

'Acheron! It's coming your way!' Artes shouted.

Acheron jumped. 'I'll catch it daddy!' He gave Byleth another warning glance and spun his head back towards the river. Across from them, the two other men shouted and pointed in the direction of the large boulder to the left.

'It's coming now!' Artes shouted.

And that was when Acheron and Byleth saw the glowing, gold light in the water. At first glance, one could've mistaken it for a reflection from the sun, but it's quick dashes in different directions suggested that it was something more. Indeed, upon closer inspection, both Acheron and Byleth saw not a light shimmering on the surface, but a glowing ball underneath.

'The goddess' messenger!' Acheron squeaked. 'Come to my hook! Come to my hook!'

And as if the fish had heard the boy's command, it moved in the direction of his cast, gliding smoothly through the seaweed.

''It's coming daddy! It's nearing my hook!'

It neared and the boy squeaked again. Byleth stood with his rod, watching the fish. If Jeralt and Lilia had been there, they would've seen the boy's shoulders sink.

'Bite the worm! Bite the worm!' Acheron said, his body trembling. The golden light danced around the hook.

'Bite t'-

He froze.

The light paused for a long moment, and then moved away, going down the river once again. Acheron snapped his head right.

'I told you to reel back in you idiot!' he spat. He stormed towards Byleth. The boy's focus was on the gold light, and he turned too late. Acheron shoved him. Byleth tumbled into the water with a loud splash. Jagged rocks sank into the back of his head and blood soon trickled into the water.

Acheron yanked his green and yellow rod along the river, dragging his bait with it. He pulled it near the gold light again.

'I demand you bite!' he growled.

'Do you have it?' Artes called. He huffed and puffed, climbing the boulder again.

There was a long pause. Acheron's eyes widened.

'I have it! It's bitten the hook daddy! It's'-

The gold light spun and burst into a frenzy. It jolted and jerked back, surging deeper into the river. Acheron was jerked forward. He slammed into the water, losing his grip on the rod. It fell into the water and the golden fish pulled it away.

'Acheron?' Artes called. He scrambled over the top of the boulder and looked down at the bank. His eyes widened.

'Hey, that's Byleth's rod!' Pieter said, pointing at the wooden rod floating downstream.

'Byleth…' Jeralt said, his eyes widening. He dropped his rod and leaped over the rocks back towards the bank they'd been on. The others followed.

'Byleth!' Jeralt called. 'By'-

He reached the top of the boulder, opposite the one Artes stood on, and looked down. He froze.

'What is it?' Lilia asked, scrambling up behind him. She looked down and gasped.

The noble boy, Acheron sat on a rock with blotched eyes, holding his bloodied nose, but that wasn't what had made her gasp. Deep in the river, up to his waist, Byleth pulled on a green and yellow rod. At the end of it was a golden light that thrashed in the water.

'Go boy!' Artes shouted. The men on the other side of the river began to cheer and clap.

'Go get it kid!' Arthur shrieked. Jeralt thundered down the rocks and raced out into the water.

'Byleth…,' Lilia breathed.

Jeralt waded out to his son. He saw blood drip down the back of his head. He opened his mouth to ask him what'd happened, but then he stopped. Now wasn't the time.

His son, the one so many had called lifeless and dead inside, was trying his best to catch a fish.

'Pull and reel, Byleth,' Jeralt said. 'Pull and reel, you're gonna do it.'

Byleth pulled and the rod arched. It creaked and Jeralt gritted his teeth. 'Don't snap. Don't you dare.'

'Nearly there!' Artes shouted.

'Daddy, I fell and hit my nose!' Acheron wailed.

'Just wait a moment, Acheron.'

Byleth gave another pull. The rod creaked again but stayed firm. Inch by inch, the golden light drew nearer to where the boy stood. Arthur joined them.

'You're doing it kid, keep going,' he said, breathless. 'It really is a big one this time!'

'It's coming,' Jeralt said. 'Next reel you need to pull up. Take a deep breathe… one, two, three'-

Byleth pulled and out of the water came a bright light that made them all squint their eyes.

'You did it you mighty boy!' Artes roared. The men across the river cheered and clapped.

Jeralt looked at the fish and his eyes widened. It had long, golden scales that glittered in flashes of green and red, but it was the size of it (the length of his arm) that stunned him.

'You're stronger than what you look kid,' Jeralt breathed. 'That's a big one!'

'What a fine young lad,' Artes shouted, lowering himself down the boulder. 'Now, Acheron, whatever happened to you?'

'To think your first fish is the rarest one in all Fódlan,' Arthur said, patting Byleth's back. 'Proud of you, kid, you're incredible. (He grinned.) Good thing I taught you well.'

Jeralt normally would've given Arthur the middle finger at that point, but his eyes were fixed on the back of his son's head where the cut bled. 'Kid,' he said, 'what happene'-

Byleth turned to him, and Jeralt fell silent. On the shore, Lilia began to cry.

His son, Byleth, had always been different, and as his father, he'd had many people ask him what was wrong with his son, ask him why the boy had never cried, why he seemed to be so emotionless and empty. Some had even questioned whether the boy had a soul, and whether he was fully alive. One man had asked whether it was fair to allow such a boy to live. Every single comment had been like a dagger to Jeralt's heart, but now his son looked at him with an expression that blew all those questions away. His eyes sparkled, and there was something even more special. The corners of his mouth were raised, it was feint, but unmistakable to someone who looked closely.

For the first time in his life, Byleth was smiling.

END OF BACKSTORY