Month of Harpstring Moon - Garreg Mach Monastery

Chapter 2

That was how I entered into Garreg Mach Monastery, with my nose in a new book of spells.

"Excuse me, Miss Lilianna? I have been sent to deliver a message to you. Both Professor Byleth and the Caravan leader are searching for you out by the main gates. They want to renegotiate your contract." The freckled, cheerful, visage of a grey haired boy I had come to know as Ashe poked up from behind the canvas to see me drawing shimmering magical ruins in the air.

Alarmed at the sudden interruption, I froze in place for the briefest of seconds. I felt my concentration slipping on my experiment as the spell fluctuated, slipping out of my control. A short scream tore from my lips as the experimental spell in front of me shimmered and then shattered. The runaway magic lurched against my failing concentration and finally exploded in a blinding flash of light, blinding me.

"Miss Lilianna! Are you alright?!"

I heard Ashe's gentle voice panicking as I reacted to the spell's failure. My body acted on impulse, grabbing for the injured side of my face in agony. I blinked a few times, trying not to panic as reality started to set in on what had just happened. My left eye would not respond, while my right slowly started to come into focus, seeing dancing lights and spots but able to make out the charred edges of the wooden wagon and the giant hole in the hooded canvas.

I tried to keep calm and remember to breathe. Slowly I let out a breath I did not realize I had been holding. Judging by the amount of blood I could feel seeping out from between my fingers, the damage from the failed spell was actually pretty impressive. For such a small spell, I had really screwed up royally. I knew that the spell had backfired, but I smiled and started laughing because for a small second it had actually worked. I had managed to see something in between the glowing ruins.

One of my hands fumbled for my handkerchief as I felt two hands grab me. "Miss Lilianna! Oh no this looks bad! Please hang on! I..I'll go get a Priest!"

I blindly located my handkerchief from the inside of my jacket and quickly worked to press the material up against my face as the sound of another male voice called out.

"Ashe?! Ashe where are you? I just heard something explode."

"Uh, huh? Oh! I am in the wagon near the fruit stalls! Quickly there has been an accident!" Ashe called out in a wavering voice as I felt him guiding me to the floor.

"It'll be alright Miss Lilianna. We'll get you help right away, don't fear." Ashe's voice trembled as he tried to reassure me as the blood quickly saturated my thin handkerchief.

I felt the wagon dip as another body entered the back of the covered wagon. I didn't bother seeing who it was, as spots were still swirling in my vision. I lay down and closed my eyes in hopes to get it to stop.

"Ashe! Wow! What hell happened here? There is a giant hole in the canvas and look at all the blood." The concern was pliable as the mystery male knelt down beside me. I couldn't tell who it was. Careful hands pulled my hand away from my face.

"This looks bad. Hold on, I have a vulnerary in my pocket."

Ashe let out a sigh and I felt him moving away. "I am going to go get a priest! I'll trust you to take care of her Claude!"

I risked opening my eye, relieved to see that my eyesight was finally starting to settle as I watched hazily a healing potion being poured onto the ruined side of my face. The pain lessened a bit and then a different type of material was pressed to the side of my face

"Claude?"

"Try to keep still. Ashe went to go get help. It won't be long now."

My working eye slowly came into focus as I blinked a few more times. The bright yellow material of Claude's cape was rapidly turning red in my returning field of vision, causing me to give a desperate chuckle. Claude's pale green eyes gave me a questioning look as he moved my hand up to put pressure on my wound. Once he was satisfied I was able to hold the material in place, he started unpinning his cape.

"I'd like to know what's funny about this." He muttered as he finished unpinning the cape from his shoulder.

Seconds after he detached the cape the wagon shuttered yet again as someone else got in. My semi-working eye darted to see who had entered the wagon this time and managed to catch sight of Byleth. A heartbeat later a feeling of holy magic washed over me.

The professor knelt down across from Claude, and I was pretty sure it was just my shocked state but her image shimmered. Like there were two Byleth's looking over me. This feeling was also accompanied by a strange, unpleasant twisting sensation in my gut that made me feel sick.

The holy magic washed over me and my wounds working overtime, speeding up the healing process. It felt like eternity that I lay there while Byleth concentrated on healing me, while Claude and Ashe's faces stared down at me in concern. A while later, Byleth helped me pull Claude's saturated cape away from my face.

"Now, what happened here?" The professor questioned, obviously concerned as I sat up with a helping hand from both her and Claude.

"Magic happened." I answered sarcastically as Claude who had come in a little late, looked a little lost for words.


"What kind of stupid magic would you be practicing in the back of a wagon?!" Lysithea snapped as Manuela wound a fresh bandage around my head.

I gave the white haired mage a tired smile as Claude proceeded to lean back against the medical counter. "Ya, I would be interested in knowing that too. What makes a spell backfire like that?"

Lysithea snapped at me, her temper flaring at my rookie mistake. "If I had known you were going to be so reckless I would have never lent that book to you in the first place!"

Her rage felt a bit hostile, but the expression on her face told me that she was thinking rather hard on if there was anything in the book that she had lent me that would have caused this kind of massive backfire.

I waved her anger and concern off. "Oh, it wasn't any of the dark magic in that book that you lent me that was the issue. I got an idea this morning and I wanted to see how it would work. I have a habit of experimenting with magic all the time. Ashe simply startled me and it broke my concentration. Totally my fault." I put my finger on my chin in thought. "Though it was a fairly standard spell modification. It shouldn't have misfired that badly...perhaps it was the downward stroke that broke the symbol and connected it with this one." I drew in the air with my fingertip reflecting on my mistake in thought.

However, my simple explanation and gestures did nothing to dampen Lysithea's rage. She scowled at me and then threw her hands up in the air evidently already exasperated with my casual smile as I reflected on my mistake. With a sound of defeat, she proceeded to stomp out of the medical ward growling.

"If you knew it was going to happen why did you do it! Ugggh!"

Claude grinned back at me as I shrugged. He leaned over the counter and passed me a wet cloth. "Here, you look like you need this. You kind of look like a nightmare."

I accepted the cloth while looking down at the grey castle flooring. Something in me was starting to feel rather guilty, and I wasn't entirely sure why. I suspected it was about the lecture I had just received. Maybe I could have waited to test the spell, but was there ever really a good time? The wagon wasn't moving and there was no one else around, so it had seemed like a good idea at the time. Gently I touched the damp cloth to my face, rubbing lightly in an attempt to get the blood off.

Manuela huffed as she put away her medical supplies. "Honestly, how can you be so reckless?! You're quite lucky you didn't permanently lose your eyesight altogether!" She swung her hips as she walked, a strangely open invitation that had me questioning what she was doing as she put her supplies away. "If I was to guess you will probably be unable to see out of that eye for at least a week or so. The swelling should go down in the next day or two, but if it gets any worse come back and see me."

"Oh umm sure…thanks." I mumbled and went to get off the bed still pawing at my face.

"Oh give me that! You are still covered in blood! Look at you! You're sure to give any man a fright!" Manuela yanked the cloth from my hand and the strong smell of disinfectant enveloped my nose as it was rubbed harshly.

"Ah, stop scrubbing so hard! It's so tender!" I protested while attempting to duck under her arm as Claude's drawing voice sounded from behind us.

"Well, she certainly gave Ashe and me a fright earlier. Maybe it'll serve as a reminder for next time right?"

I stopped fidgeting and let Manuela finish cleaning my face, praying she would finish soon. As my face felt like it was being scrubbed back off, I caught sight of Claude studying me from over Manuela's shoulder. His narrow eyes did not give me any indication as to what he was really thinking. Claude quickly picked up on me studying him in return and he responded by leaning forward and winking.

"Hey, at least you don't look like a nightmare anymore, in fact you look kinda cute."

I felt myself start to blush. An intense heat rose to my cheeks as a brisk knock on the door caused the three of us to look up. My good eye drifted over to the doorway to easily pick out Navan and the professor, but the third person was a stranger to me. Manuela pulled her hands away from my face as Claude moved away from the partition and straightened up. The younger male clasp his hands behind his head and grinned. "Hey Teach, I see you brought company."

I let my one good eye fall back to the ground as my stomach dropped. The heat from my face abruptly vanished as I considered the few reasons Navan would still be here in the Monastery and not in town at the local tavern. Money issues. I sighed as the stern faced man I did not recognize gestured for Claude and Manuela to leave. I froze fearing what came next.

"How are you feeling?" The stranger with dark green hair inquired as the occupancy of my room changed.

"I am fine now, your...grace?" I could only assume by the cut of his clothes and the formal design that he was ranked highly among the people in Garreg Mach.

"I am not king here, but I appreciate you attempting to utilize a proper title. You can call me Seteth. I am an advisor to the archbishop." He did not wait for my response as he continued sharply. "If you are well enough to walk, please accompany me."

Navan's weathered face was like stone, and I couldn't read a proper read off the professor's or Seteth's expression either. Worry began to eat thru me as I tried to think of my next course of action. I had not planned for this. All this hassle for just one tiny spell? It did not add up.

The only logical conclusion I could make was I had damaged something valuable in my experiment and we were going to view the damages and probably discuss charges. I winced as I braced myself and then stood up. Not being able to see out of my left eye was a bit of a challenge, but I bowed as Seteth gestured towards the door.


Surprisingly it was a really short walk, just down the hall.

At the end of the hall a grand reception room stood bathed in the light of the setting sun awaited us with open doors. The large stained glass windows sent large pools of azure and emerald greens dancing across the floor, dying everything in a peaceful, almost underwater atmosphere. I gazed around the elegant audience chamber with all the scrutiny I could muster. Something about this room felt familiar, but I couldn't place it.

So lost was I in admiring the architecture that I failed to notice the unmoving figure standing just below the dais.

"Aham. Excuse me, your holiness." Seteth cleared his throat and I yanked my one eye away from the architecture to focus on the graceful figure before me.

Long, sweeping sea green hair cascaded down the woman's shoulders as a proud golden headdress and flowers adorned her head. Her strong, commanding, voice was soothing as she spoke directly to me."Ah, you must be Lilianna. I have heard quite a bit about you. My name is Rhea and I am the archbishop here at Garreg Mach Monastery. It is a pleasure to finally have you here."

My one eye struggled to focus as I locked onto the archbishop. Something in her figure shimmered, just like Byleth's had, earlier but maybe it was just the stain glass. My stomach knotted as I hurried over to Navan who was kneeling before the woman. Hastily I dropped to my knee in respect.

"You may rise, there is no cause for such trivialities here. I have called you here for a reason."

I felt a bead of sweat start to collect at the back of my neck. Did I dare look up? Did I dare to stand up? Navan heaved himself to his feet and I waited a second longer before obeying.

"Needless you are probably concerned about why I have brought you here this evening."

I shot a look at Navan who stared down his nose at me with eyes of cold steel.

"I would like to ask you both to join the monastery."

I blinked twice in surprise and turned my head fully to stare at my traveling companion. Whatever I had been expecting, this was not it. The grizzled soldier's face looked as pale as I felt, so I tried to form words to express my feelings, knowing I was playing a dangerous game.

"That is a very generous offer, your highness."

Cool, mint green eyes studied us for a second and then the archbishop smiled gently. "You probably are wondering why I am asking you this, but it is really the professor's recommendation. She was very impressed with the way you handled the bandits and your knowledge of magic that she felt the need to inquire if you could join us here at the monastery."

I felt the hairs on the back of my neck raise as Navan waited for me to speak. From our time together, I knew he would let me take the lead. Navan hated talking to nobles even more than I did.

"I -We- are honored by your grace, but unfortunately we are currently scheduled to explore the Ruins of Malhav." I tried to elegantly explain what had brought me back to Foldan in the first place.

She looked at me expectantly, if somewhat questionably. "You are aware that those ruins dropped off into the western sea some time ago are you not?"

I tried to muster some kind of moisture to my mouth as Navan finally stepped in. "Ya holiness, oi am sure to appreciate the offers but thou would beg ye for additional time to consider? My lass and oi huva just completed a long journey, and the wee lassy musta bonked her nogging in her mishap."

"I see, perhaps you are correct to be cautious. I'll have a room prepared for each of you here at the Monastery and you can take your time to explore the grounds and consider my offer at your leisure once you have had an opportunity to explore your new home."

It was a generous offer coming from the archbishop. I bowed low as Navan followed suit a second later.

"Tha would suit us mighty fine yer grace."

Lady Rhea smiled and turned to address Seteth. "Can you please have a room prepared for each of them?"

"I will do whatever I can my lady." Seteth bowed and waited for further instructions.

"Thank you Seteth Now Lilianna, if I might impart some advice. As you explore the Monastery over the next few days, I would suggest that you visit with our current students and class representatives. I would like to request that, if you choose to stay with us, that you join one of the student houses in order to further your studies."

I tried to piece together what the archbishop was telling me as Seteth noticed I looked a little confused. "Has no one explained the students and the class system to you yet? Very well, seeing as you are new here allow me to explain. We have three houses here at the Monastery, one for each of the ruling fractions of Fodlan. You are familiar with Fodlan's countries are you not?"

I nodded quickly, able to answer that question with ease. "To the south is the oldest empire in Fodlan, the Adrestian Empire, said to be started by the holy Saint Seiros. To the cold north west is the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus, which was started when King Loog split the region from the Adrestian Empire,. Years later several of Loog's descendants split off from the main branch and established the Leicester Alliance to the north east."

"Very good, it seems like you have a bit of an education already. It will serve you well. Based on each of these locations, we have established student houses. Students are members from their respective houses based on location. The Black Eagles houses mostly predominant students from the Adrestian Empire. The Blue Lions house is home to students from the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus, and lastly the Golden Deer house as representatives from the Leicester Alliance. Each class is led by a separate home room professor, and has different class representatives, so be sure that you choose your house wisely."

Lady Rhea stepped in as Seteth finished with his warning. "What Seteth says is true. As you can see, it would be a good opportunity for you to become acquainted with the houses and house leaders as you explore."

My mouth opened and closed utterly confused by the offer, caught somewhere between absolute horror and divine opportunity. Of course during our journey to Garreg Mach I had let it slip that I would love to study at the Monastery, but I never took the opportunity to consider it fully because of the financial requirements. Several letters of recommendation from the country's lords that were required to study there along with a significant amount of coin was required to even be considered for entry.

Whatever else the archbishop might have said washed over me as I considered the path's fate had now set before me. I had been a drifter for sometime, traveling where the jobs and my own interests lay, but the opportunity to study and develop connections at the center of Foldan wasn't something to take lightly.

My brain came to a stand still as Seteth gestured for us to exit. Hastily I took a knee for the archbishop and Seteth began shepherding us out of the audience chamber. We were just heading down the castle stairs, as youth with tan skin and brilliant red eyes moved out of our way with a small bow. I cocked my head to the side making a mental note for later as Seteth paused.

"Ah Cyril, excellent timing. I have a job for you." Seteth quickly delegated the job of preparing rooms to us to the crimson eyed boy who nodded and quickly sprinted off to do Seteth's bidding.

"While Cyril prepares rooms for you, how about I show you both the Monastery? We can also stop at the mess hall and get you a warm meal." Seteth suggested as we began walking in the same direction Cyril had just sprinted.

My face lit up at the thought of a warm meal and then promptly fell. How was I going to pay for any of this? How could I even consider this type of offer knowing how much I would owe at the end of these studies?

Navan grunted his approval of the idea as I looked up at Seteth.

"Seteth?"

"Hmm, what is it? Do you want to know the menu? Or perhaps you want to tour the Monastery first?"

I gulped and braced myself for bad news. "How..how much is all of this going to cost? We...don't have a lot of money so it might be better for us to sleep at the inn."

The green haired man stopped and looked down at me curiously. " Lady Rhea has opened her doors to both of you. You need not concern yourself with money as long as the archbishop supports you. If you decide to stay and study with us, we may even reach an agreement about granting you an allowance."

I shook my head and stressed my point. "We don't have the money for room and board, even if we were to accept the archbishops offer."

I missed the openly amazing stares in the study hall as I openly protested to Seteth.

"I can assure you, that any gift that her grace has made to you, it will not cost you any coin." He stopped in front of a counter and I looked up in awe. Seteth proceeded to place his order for food, a fish special.

"Are you going to order?" He turned to us expectantly and Navan rubbed his chin for a second and then ordered with the cook behind the counter. The aromas coming from the kitchen teased and tantalized my nose as I checked over the menu. Still stressing, I ordered a pheasant with sweet berry sauce and we moved out of the way to make room for the next .

As we waited for our food Seteth crossed his arms and looked us up and down critically.

"Though I am not certain why Lady Rhea is interested in you in the first place."

His long stare at the bandaged side of my face did not miss my attention, but the hustle and bustle of the cafeteria amazed me enough to ignore the wayward stare and comment.

"This is impressive…" I whispered as I gazed around the massive cafeteria.

"Yes, it is rather impressive isn't it? I caught you admiring the architecture in the audience chamber earlier as well, are you familiar with Garreg Mach or is it just a passing interest?"

I continued to watch the coming and going of all manner of individuals as they dropped their trays off, ate, and socialized in the massive hall.

"No, I am not familiar with Garreg Mach. This is my first time here." I answered as our food was served out on trays.

Seteth gestured for us to follow him and we all walked over to an open bench to sit down to eat. "Hmm, I see."

I waited to see what the etiquette was for dinning hall as Navan simply started helping himself to the food next to me. Shortly after we sat down an orange haired man that was almost as battle worn as Navan sat down at his side. The two warriors started eating and chatting with a gusto as Seteth stared at me in silence. The silence was oppressive and trying, as my mouth watered at the slight of the freshly cooked duck glistening with sauce sat in front of my like some wayward dream.

However, I held myself back. I waited for my higher ranking dinner companion to start eating, in order to set precedent for me. At the same time Seteth seemed inclined to wait for me to start eating. We both stared at each other at a stand still.

Finally the green haired man sighed heavily. "I see you are observing our table manners, but I will warn you that it isn't anything formal." He picked up his knife and fork as I picked up my fork and went after the accompanying green salad at my side. Wanting to be rid of the vegetables quickly and not letting them linger on my plate.

I shot a glance around the nearby group of students between bites. "You have a lot of nobles here, I wanted to make sure I did not offend."

"It is a well renowned school, but commoners and nobles mingle freely here for the sake of education."

Interested, I finished chewing and followed up with a question."That is an interesting way to put it. I heard you needed a large amount of money and sponsors to get accepted here?"

"That is true, but we do not discriminate here based on where the coin comes from. If you can afford the education, then we open our doors to everyone." Seteth answered flatly as he cut into his fish.

"That is reassuring, the monastery is clearly well cared for and well deserving of such a prodigious title, its education and beauty are unparalleled." I praised the advisor with a slight smile, hiding my own feelings on the subject.

Seteth was taken back by my praise and finally managed a small smile of his own. "I see that its beauty is not lost on you then. Our gardeners and workers go through a great deal of effort keeping this place clean and orderly. Wherever did you learn to pay attention to such details?"

I went on guard, knowing he was prying for information, but it was an innocent enough of a question that I muddled around for an acceptable answer. "Mmm, I made a living studying ruins and history."

Seteth stopped his fork and frowned. "For what purpose?"

I finished my vegetables and carefully ripped up my bread roll. Excitedly I noticed the cooks had even included a bit of butter to accompany with my bread. "I seek to piece together knowledge that has been lost in the eb and flow of time."

"Old knowledge do you say, what kind?"

I had my dinner partner's evident interest, but I shrugged and bit into the golden brown crust of bread. The apple sitting on my plate caught my attention next as I savored the delights of freshly baked bread. The rose red apple reminded me of Claude for some reason and I wondered what he was up to whist under the din. "If I must be truthful, I am seeking a lost branch of faith magic. You may not be familiar with it as it is a scholar's pursuit, but perhaps you have heard of it in passing? Spells of seeing?"

"I see, yes the professor mentioned that you were pursuing strange magics, but how can you be certain it ever existed? What do you hope to gain from such knowledge?"

"Hmmm…I would call it a scholar's interest. Knowing what has been, what is now, and what will be holds a certain amount of interest to me." I lost interest in the conversation as a huge influx of students burst into the dinning hall.

I picked out Dimitri, Felix, and Raphael out of the incoming group of students. Another student also caught my eye, the knight with white hair and purple eyes looked familiar. Seteth followed my line of sight and picked up on an opportunity.

"The lady with white hair is heir to the Adrestian Empire, Edelgard von Hresvelg. She leads the Black Eagle house this year. Standing faithfully at her side is her second in command, Hubert von Vestra. I believe you are already familiar with his majesty, Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd. His highness leads to Blue Lions house. It is a bit unusual to see him without his second, Dedue Molinaro. Ah there he is, that tall silent fellow that is scowling there in the doorway. The boisterous short one with a temper there, yes the one looking to start a fight, goes by Caspar von Bergliez. The sturdy blond who just picked him up is a commoner student from a well known merchant family, Raphael Kirsten."

Seteth might have said more about the incoming group of students but the din the group was making was so loud I could not even catch the rest of the conversation.


After dinner Seteth led me on a tour of the rest of the Garreg Mach alone. Navan had stayed behind, drinking in the dining hall with the stranger next to him. Apparently the man who had sat down next to him was an old colleague he had not seen in years. I sighed as Seteth walked me around the docks by the fishing pond, elaborate green houses, the outdoor gardens, and the small local market on the monastery grounds. Sure they were all useful places to know about but I was fairly disinterested in the whole tour and it showed. I was too busy thinking about what my next move would be.

As we walked past the knight's apartments and training grounds, Seteth was hailed by an older man with a graying mustache and long grey robes. "Ah Seteth, I see you are leading an unfamiliar face around the grounds, may I inquire as to whom?"

Seteth gave me a side eye, probably unimpressed by my growing silence. "I would very much like to know that myself, but Lady Rhea has requested that she attend school here."

The older man smoothed his mustache in thought. "You must be Lilianna then. Professor Byleth has told me much about you."

I bowed low, which earned me strange looks from both men present. "It is an honor sir, I am hoping it was mostly pleasant news?"

"Ah excuse my lack of manners, my name is Professor Hanneman von Essar. I am the homeroom professor for the Golden Deer class this year." Professor Hanneman twirled the edge of his mustache as he looked down his glasses at me.

"The Golden Deer class is represented by Claude von Riegan." I cocked my head to the side at the mention of Claude's name. "That would be the young man who was with you in the infirmary earlier." Seteth pointedly informed me as he crossed his arms. "But while we are on this topic, perhaps you can enlighten us as to why Lady Rhea is so interested in you?"

"Are you questioning the archbishops decisions?" I clasp my hands behind my back to stop them from shaking as I checked my escort .

"It is my job to protect Lady Raea at all costs. I am taught to question everything." The fierce glare from Seteth made me nervous but I continued to stare him straight in the face.

"You know more than I do then." I replied in a seemingly nonchalant voice. "Professor Byleth thought to recommend me for some reason, but I do not have the slightest inclination as to what she sees in me." I left the question there for a second as I tilted my head to the other side trying to get a read on the advisor. "As to any more of an answer to why, I believe that I do not possess any more information on that matter than you do."

Seteth narrowed his eyes and scowled down at me. I wondered if I had perhaps been a bit too cheeky. "Professor Bythleth recommended you based on your battle prowess in keeping raiders away from the civilians. Of course that recommendation was made before you had that accident in the wagon."

"Then perhaps that is all it is then." I stared back at Seteth with my good eye, praying he couldn't pick up on any of my nervousness.

"Fine, let's assume that I believe you for the time being. What would you hope to gain from studying here at Garreg Mach Monastery, under the Church of Seiros?"

My body thrummed at the mention of Seiros, for a reason I could not fathom. I took a steady breath. "I assumed the decision would not be my own and that Lady Rhea would recommend some application in which to use me. However, if left to my own interests I would take to studying magic and local history."

"That is very perceptive of you." Seteth nodded in approval, and for some reason I felt that I had just won a small battle.

Hanneman had been waiting patiently for Seteth to finish his conversation before re-entering the conversation in earnest. "Ahem, that is very insightful of you. I happen to be a professor who specializes in Crests, which has a large part in the history of Fodlan."

A spark went off in my head about a rumor I had heard some time ago. I couldn't remember when, but it was probably due to my late father. "I believe I have heard about a famous scholar from the Adrestian Empire who was researching Fodlan Crests, are you by perchance him?"

I fluttered my lashes as Hanneman about glowed in delight. "Ah so I am! I am delighted to meet someone who knows of my research! Tell me, do you happen to have a moment to discuss which parts of my research you are familiar with? Do make sure to inform me as to which of my publications do you find the most interesting!"

I could almost feel Seteth tense beside me and I read the room. Smoothly I transitioned to apologizing to the professor. "I am sorry professor. I really must be going. I have only just arrived at Garreg Mach and it is rude of me to keep Sir Seteth waiting."

I nodded to Seteth who was looking rather impressed with me taking the initiative to exit the conversation on his behalf. "I would love to call on you some other time however, when I am less preoccupied. I bid you good evening professor."

I bowed as Seteth took my que.


"You'll find a hot shower in the room next door. If you hop in and bathe, I can collect all your clothing for washing." A maid dressed in black dress and a frilly white apron pointed out my room on the lower floor of one of the dormitories.

The green rugs and furnishings gave the room a feeling of splendor that I respected and admired right away. The heavy plain green curtains were drawn as to not let anyone see inside the room, while the plain bed with white covers looked way more inviting than it should have.

Clearly it was an upgrade from anything I would have found in the local taverns and I was shocked. Shocked that Lady Rhea would spend even these slight luxuries on someone like me. There was even a large desk, complete with a fresh quill, ink, and paper. I walked around the room taking in the cleanness and small luxuries completely starstruck.

The maid tapped my shoulder. "Miss, I am waiting for you to go wash please."

"Oh, I can do it myself thanks." She clicked her tongue and gestured to the clothes sitting out. "I need to take your measurements to make sure the uniforms fit as well."

I stepped behind the modesty screen and pulled my shirt over my head. "Uniforms?"

"Yes miss, all the students wear them."

"I'm not a student." She seemed exasperated by my analysis. "I was told to wash your effects, and these nightgowns are all we have to spare at the moment. Unless you would like to rush about in a uniform like my own."

I poked my head out of my undershirt and started unbuckling my pants. My stomach was rather full from the large meal I had enjoyed for dinner, but the idea of a hot wash and edition clean clothes, on top of clean sheets on a comfy bed sounded almost too good to be true. My hands struggled with the belt clasp for a minute only to have the overly worn and distressed leather rip.

"Great, just when things were going well the leather finally goes. Why am I so unlucky?" I complained as the maid stepped around the modesty panel.

"Umm...do you mind?" I inquired in shock as she proceeded to measure me with nothing on but my small clothes.

She tutted as she whipped a rope around me with scary efficiency. "Just as I thought, the uniform is too big in some areas and too small in others. I will have to see if I can find the correct size or get these adjusted before the morning."

I let my hands drop to my sides as I looked towards the washroom. "Can I go wash off now?"

The maid was already collecting my clothes off the floor and moving for the door "Soap is to the right. Miss Hilda recommended the one with lilies so make sure you say thank you next time you see her!"

I went and experimented with the knob on the far side of the room and was surprised as water started pouring down from a hole in the roof of the washroom like a small rain. Watching the mechanism with interest I took off the rest of my clothes and slipped into the hot water with a small squeak of surprise. It really was hot.

Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad to stay here.

I thought as I washed and scrubbed every inch of my skin. The hard build up of grime of the road and weeks of travel stuck to my skin until I grabbed the soap. The water grew darker with every scrub, while I started to feet cleaner than I had in months.

"I must say, the baths in Almyra are much better though. I enjoyed the idea of washing before soaking…this seems a bit wasteful." I sighed as I plunged my head under the water and scrubbed my hair with soap and a bottle of something I found sitting to the side. Forgetting in my enjoyment, that I had not removed my bandage from around my head. I immediately felt regret for the soggy bandage, but at least the wound didn't hurt. I hurried to undo the bindings so I could finish bathing before the water ran cold.

In truth the shower was amazing, the scented soap made me smell like a garden of flowers. My room also was engulfed in the faint scent of flowers, having leaked out from the bath chamber into the main room. Getting out, I relished the soft towel as I dried off and then set about looking for my nightwear.

An overly large top and a very short pair of shorts were provided for me. The top was a muddy yellow while the bottoms with the most interesting shade of light blue. I managed to get the bottoms on without any problems, but the shirt was much too large. I was in the middle of rolling up my sleeves when a knock on my door interrupted me.

"Ah! Coming!" I called out as I proceeded to trip over a stool that lay in my blind spot.

"Ouch damn it…" I swore violently in another language as I hopped over to the door rubbing my shin.

"Are you alright?" The low voice was distinctly male, but I couldn't place it as I slid open the wood slot on the door to peer out into the night.

The large grim faced man that had been drinking with Navan stood at the door.

"Umm, is something wrong with Navan?" I asked keeping the door shut against a strange male after dark.

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about. I put your friend up in his room for the night, but figured I would let you know that he made it to bed and is sleeping it off."

"That sounds about right, I'll check on him in the morning." I responded to the exasperated voice of the man outside my door.

"He's down the stairs to the left. It's the second door."

"Understood, thank you."

He looked like he wanted to say something but gave up. Instead he gruffly offered his name. "Name's Jeralt, I'm a mercenary."

The name clicked as Byleth's father and I relaxed a little bit. "Lilianna, it's nice to meet you."

Jeralt's orange shirt shifted to reveal his back as he walked away. I caught him muttering. "Night."

The strange conversation left me puzzled as the mercenary just walked away into the darkness.

"G-good night?" I called out and locked the wood slot into place.

This place is strange.

That was the last thought I had as I passed out in the soft bed, not even bothering to pull up the covers.


Chapter Recap:

Yay! Congratulations to making it to chapter 2! Thank you so much for reading! So to do my normal chapter recap - Lili makes it to Garreg Mach Monastery and promptly things start out on the wrong foot when a spell she was experimenting with blows up in her face.

Que another trip to the healers for Lili, and now her left eye is missing in action. She's disoriented and slightly confused as to what is going on right now, but she is doing her best to try adapt to the unfolding situation. (She had a busy day didn't she? Woke up got to the Monastery, was thinking she was just going to pursue her own thing while the knights and merchants unloaded cargo, and poof there goes her day and half her face. Definitely not what she had planned at all.)

While in the medical wing you get to meet Manuela, the head of the infirmary, who seems to be a little flirty. And it looks like Claude is still taking an interest in Lili as well - even flirting with her a bit despite her just having an major accident.

Then you meet the stern advisor Seteth, who works for the archbishop, Lady Rhea.

Rhea seems kind of set that Lili is going to stick around, she's even willing to sponsor her education to entice her to stay around. Isn't she nice?

You also learn a bit about Fodlan it's, its history, the Monastery, school, and the house leaders.

Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd is heir to the throne of the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus - leads the Blue Lion's House.

Claude von Riegan the next Sovereign Duke of the Leicester Alliance - leads the Golden Deer House.

Edelgard von Hresvelg is the heir to the throne of the Adrestian Empire - she leads the Black Eagle House.

While touring the Monastery, Lili meets Professor Hanneman, and we find out that Lili is also in fact, researching history. Though she elects for a more hands on approach, researching ruins and testing forgotten magic spells, over reading. You also discover that Lili, does in fact have a decent education, despite having been on the road for a while(And being around Navan).

Seteth, learning all of this seems really suspicious of Lilianna. However, he proceeds to spend the day at the request of the Archbishop showing Lilianna around the Monastery .

Meanwhile, Navan managed to find beer and an old drinking buddy, he is totally uninterested in touring the Monastery right now, letting Lili take the lead and see what she wants to do.

Finally Lilianna retires to her own room to get a uniform and finally retire after a long and eventful day.

So I think that wraps it up for the chapter recap - an eventful chapter yes?

Let me know what you think of the chapter with a comment, favorite, or maybe both?!

Fun Facts:

Month of Harpstring Moon is May