Month of Harpstring Moon - Three Houses

Chapter 3

The next morning I awoke to a knocking on my door.

"Mmm…" I rolled over and clutched my pillow closer mumbling. "Just 5 more minutes…."

The knocking persisted as I struggled to crawl myself out of my new luxurious accommodations.

"Give...me...a...second." I mumbled as the pounding changed. The polite knocks changed to a move heavy handed action, a variable pounding causing the door to shutter on its hinges as I slid my feet onto the floor.

"Lass ya ought not keep a man waitin!"

"Uggg Navan it's so early!...Let me sleep!" I complained as I adjusted my nightshirt and went to unlock my door. Towering in my doorway was my gruff guardian. Navan's face was almost frightening in the weak morning light, his fierce scowl was accompanied by a bundle of clothes in one hand and a new travel pack in the other.

"Ach, yon can sleep when yer dead. It's bad manners to kept yon maids waitn." He thrust the pack and clothes at me and then folded his arms. His giant battle ax reflected the new morning sun as I beadily poked my head around him to investigate the dormitory courtyard. I rubbed my eyes as I spied a handful of students moving around the well groomed courtyard. Several maids were also just starting their day out as the smell of breakfast filtered into the courtyard.

My eyes lit up at the smell and I promptly jumped into action.

~"Breakfast?!" I accepted the clothes from my guardian and promptly slammed the door shut on his nose with a squeal of excitement.

The older man yelled out from behind my closed door. "Oi! That smarts lassy! Oi'll have yer pay for yon insolence on the training courts!"

I was busy yanking the oversized shirt off and yelled back. "What?! No Navan! You're really not going to make me train before breakfast are you?"

"If yon had awoken from yer beauty sleep earlier ya could have feasted! I'll see ya bronny lass on the courts in 15!"

"But, we are in a city! There's no way I can navigate it that quickly!" I protested through the door as I racked my brains attempting to remember where the training courts were located.

Navan was unimpressed with my protests for breakfast and my excuse for wanting more time. "Ach! It's non excuse to skip on yers training! Oi suggest yon makes a run fer it."

I hurried and laid the clothes out on my bed, regretting that I didn't have time to make it. I sorted through the clothes. One was a professional uniform, one similar to what I had seen the other girls at the Academy wearing. I picked the soft material up and stared at the black and gold button up uniform top with short, puffy sleeves. I admired it for a second and then remembered I was on a time crunch. Hastily I folded my new uniform to the side and looked to see what other clothes had been given to me. Under the uniform's shirt was the skirt. I blanched as I picked up the short pencil style skirt. I held it up to my waist and shook my head, it was barely down to my fingertips. I shook my head and put the skirt to the side questioning who had picked this out. Under the skirt were matching thigh-high boots and long gloves. I shook my head, the uniform was less than practical for everyday wear, and almost impossible for the drubbing I suspected I was about to incur during training.

I stood there for a second and decided to open the pack up. Inside was a muted grey fabric that I reached in and pulled out to reveal a tank top with a tight fitting black undershirt as well as muted grey shorts that would barely covered me. Skeptical I held them up and uncovered longer black training shorts underneath the grey shorts. They matched the plain black undershirt.

I shook my head wondering who had come up with both the uniform and the training clothes but hastily donned the black under layers and then pulled the light grey layers on. At the very bottom of the bag were some practical leather shoes and an assortment of socks.

While I tugged my footwear into place I hazarded another glance into the pack. Tucked into another pouch of the backpack was a variety pack of simple bandages and other general medical supplies for the typical bumps and bruises I assumed knights-in-training occurred on a daily basis. A quick look into the third pouch unveiled general school supplies. Not taking much more of a chance to look the school supplies over, I packed my uniform into my bag and threw the entire thing over my shoulder. I checked over in my room one last time. Satisfied that nothing of value was left exposed I sprinted out the door.

Less than 15 minutes later I was out wandering the monastery grounds. I had always possessed a decent knack for navigation, but I could tell it would take me a little while to get the hang of navigating the gardens and courtyards in such a huge setting.

"Hey you there! New kid huh, are you lost?" A fit blond woman with a confident battle worn aura called out to me as I looked around. A lethal looking woman with a bow glared at me menacingly as I wandered over.

"I don't think I am?" I answered the blond whist checked around me. I decided to risk asking for directions not wanting to be late. "This is the way to the training grounds isn't it?"

I took a second to re-orientate my bearings. The tall green hedges looked familiar to me, but I was not entirely certain that I was headed the right way. Given the number of students filtering in the same direction I was headed, I assumed I was headed in the correct direction, but I stopped to make sure none-the-less.

The lethal female with blue-violet hair pursed her lips and sniffed. "This is the way to the dinning hall. Just follow the hedges that way until you hit the stables."

The tall blond laughed. "Don't mind Shamir, she's always like that. I'm Catherine by the way, I can show you the way if you'd like."

I shook my head as Shamir glared fiercely down her nose at me. "No thank you, I believe I can find my way from here. I wouldn't want you to miss breakfast."

"Haha! I like you!" Catherine slapped Shamir's shoulder causing the shorter woman to glare daggers up at her companion.

"What are you waiting around here for? Thought you were running late." Shamir snapped as I looked around.

"I am...but I'm also hungry." I admitted sheepishly as I sniffed the air.

"Typical." Shamir huffed as she jerked her thumb towards a well traveled path through the hedges. "The dining hall is back there."

I shook my head, staring longingly in the direction of the dinning hall but knowing that I had to hold out a little longer. "If I eat now, I'll just see on the floor during training. I know how my mentor likes to train."

Catherine stared at me in a new light. "Oh, you must be the new kid Lady Rhea was talking about! Nice to meet you."

"Likewise?" I bowed briefly to her in a show of respect. Some familiar faces were starting to show up in the greenery and I caught sight of Navan's long dark brown locks. "H-have a good morning ladies! Thank you for your help!" I trotted on off after my guardian leaving a slightly bewildered pair of knights behind me.

"She's quaint." I heard Shamir comment sharply as I jogged off.


The training grounds were pretty much empty. Only the most ambitious early morning risers were moving around the training facilities Out of the handful of students and knights that were out this early in the morning training I was only able to identify Felix, Dimitri, Ashe and Dedue. It appeared that there were a couple of other students out warming up and practicing their skill but I was not yet acquainted with them.

Ashe's freckles stood out on his pale face as he concentrated on practicing his archery. He fumbled to pull his bow back while an orange haired girl with a boy's haircut chopped away at a training dummy with a lance a few feet from him. Sometimes Ashe managed to hit his target, but judging from the array of arrows scattered all around the training dummy, it appeared that he still needed quite a bit of practice. On the other hand, the orange haired tomboy was hitting her target with ferocity and precision that was impressive.

I turned my attention away from Ashe and his companion to focus on the other side of the room. There was just one person training on the fair side of the room and that person was Felix. Normally scathing and short tempered, the blue haired swordsman continuously took chips out of the wooden practice dummy he was working on. Which was a feat in itself as the training sword he was using was also wood. I was amazed the weapon didn't just snap under pressure and strain.

Dimitri and Dedue were in the middle of jogging warm up laps around the training grounds. I turned away from Felix to watched them for a few seconds, noticing that the tall prince had a fairly large lead on his burly retainer. I pursed my lips and analyzed the pairing, sizing them lanky blond prince seemed to possess both speed and agility, while the stocker, broader, retainer appeared to have the stamina to keep up his pace for long distances. I tilted my head curiously, committing that information to memory as I started looking around for Navan. As I scanned the area I chewed on my bottom lip as I questioned what my mentor had planned this early in the morning.

A brisk wind blew off the loch gusting over the training grounds, turning the already cool spring morning downright chilly. I shuttered, rubbing my arms for warmth as I managed to spot Navan over by the training weapons. Racks of ready to use blunt iron and wood weapons lay neatly in racks, whilst broken ones lay discarded in barrels either too broken for repair or in a special bucket marked for repairs.

I trotted over watching him test a wooden axe with a scowl. He swung it twice, three times and then put it back.

"Pfff, the wee baby axes, ach no better than tooth picks." He snorted with disgust as I stood next to him with a grin.

"The tooth picks are over on the side." I pointed the swords knowing my mentor hated using them.

Navan waved me off unamused by my jest. "Away with ye lassy. Return back ta me after ya complete yon warm ups. An don't bother oi with the wee toothpicks!"

I scowled but started stretching like he had taught me years ago when we were back at the mansion. While I was preoccupied with my morning warm ups, the steady beating of the wooden training dummy stopped. I started my run. I started out easy, jogging a little behind Dedue and then increasing my pace to something more comfortable. I increased my speed until I was somewhere between then pair on their respective laps.

As my new leather boots hit the well worn cobblestones, I watched Felix approach Navan. My mentor began to grin and nod roughly in excitement. I didn't pay much attention to the match. I was positive that Navan would be able to beat Felix without breaking a sweat.

As I finished my jog and stopped to get a drink of water, I noticed a few more people had entered the training hall. Ashe had been joined by another teen. Her short purple hair stood on end with each twang of the bowstring and she made a habit of bolting behind the sand barrels whenever someone tried to talk to her. I even watched her scream in fright when one of the archery instructors came up to help with her stance. Based on her timid behaviors, I assumed that she was taking advantage of the less crowded training hall to meet her quota for practice.

Another familiar face also appeared as Ingrid's stern face looked up from the floor. She must have appeared while I was doing laps, and the blond's tight braid flicked back and forth as she steadfastly completed set after set of push ups. Her dedication to her training was impressive as I took another drink of water. As I poured some of the water over my head Sylvain appeared in the hall.

I shook my head free of access water only to be alerted to a fight breaking out. I flicked my head again to look up to see a quarrel breaking out almost instantly as the two clashed, Ingrid accusing Sylvain of not training enough and just watching the ladys work out while Sylvain protested he had come here to actually train for once. Ingrid was apparently unimpressed by the redhead's excuses and proceeded to chase him around with a training spear. Amazed at the pure energy I was seeing this early in the morning, I went to refill my waterskin. As the fountain filled up my container, I witnessed Felix's sword flying up towards the rafters. A second later the sword was followed by Navan's booming laugh. The two incidents put together told me the swordsmen had lost to my guardian just like I had expected.

The slim teen snarled and went to pick up his sword. "Again! I need to see that again!"

"Laddy, ya need to take a bit o'l rest. Ya'll exhaust yerself before the day's even started if yer use brawn over yer brains every time." Navan rested his ax over his shoulder and looked over at me expectantly. "Get over here lassy, yer probably ready for sum action now."

He gestured to his pack behind him, telling me to take his weighted steel ax for practice. I groaned as I lifted it up and gave a few experimental swings. I was unaccustomed to so much weight on my weapons.

"Are ya ready lassy?" Navan waited as I entered the training area. "Ach, none of yer magic tricks either. I want yer to get a right proper drubbing."

I rolled my good eye, confirming that my mentor was not going to go easy on me even if I was injured. I had several disadvantages. The worst one was the huge blind spot on my left side, and the other was just using Navan's axe, but training was training. I was prepared for it, living on the road you took things as they came, and it was rarely fair. I jumped forward, swinging my ax in a wide crescent. My swing was slow and unsteady due to the weight of the weapon I was using and it was promptly met by an overpowering brute force from my mentor. I gritted my teeth at the jarring impact of metal on metal.

"Haha, there ya go lassie! Right oh, now try this!" Navan reached out in an attempt to grapple me.

I glared at him and ducked as my mentor swung his leg out at me next. I swiftly disengaged, backing away from the attack, narrowly missing a swift chop from my opponent's weapon. I followed up with another swinging arc, only to be repelled again.

By the end of the training session I was sweating and struggling to even hold my axe. My primary hand had long since lost its ability to feel and I flipped hands trying to retain some kind of grip on my weapon. Out of the corner of my eye I caught Professor Byleth and most of the rest of the student's who had been early to rise watching me. In the instant I looked away from my opponent, Navan saw his opportunity.

"Ach! What have I told ye before! Yer eye should be on yer opponent, not out admiring the scenery!" He roared as his axe connected with mine.

The force of the blow blew my weapon out of my hands. The heavy double bladed axe was sent head over heels into the air and landed with a clang of sparks somewhere behind me. I jerked my head up to watch the direction the axe went in as Navan moved in to defeat me. Not exactly the best at consenting to defeat I broke the rules and allowed my magic to flare to life. Glowing white spikes jutted out from all around me, aimed towards my opponent as I braced myself for the incoming attack.

"Alright, alright that's enough lassy. I yield." Navan tossed his axe to the ground as the magic sparked around me angrily. I snorted then dissipated the Light Spikes with a wave of my hand.

Felix didn't miss a beat in assessing a new opponent.

"I'm next." He went to jump over the fencing as Navan held out a hand to stop him.

"Ne lad, let the wee lass rest. The lassy has had enough fer today. Oi'd say tis about time for er to break fast."

At the mention of food my sour mood instantly lifted and I ran over to my axe. I picked the weapon up off the ground like it weighed nothing and ran over to my supplies.

"Did someone say breakfast?" The short scrappy student with a light blue mohawk from yesterday stood up from leaning on the railing. "I could go for a spot of food myself."

"Havn't you already ate breakfast today Caspar?"

I didn't see the speaker but the smaller male agreed.

"Well sure I have, but can always go more! Gota eat to bulk up!"

I planted myself next to my bag and began to maintain my practice weapon feeling utterly spent.

"You worked hard out there." Byleth came and knelt down next to me with a water flask. "How are you doing today?"

I accepted the water and took a long drought. As I lowered the flask, it took me a second to focus on the professor properly. I ignored a faint twisting feeling in my gut as, for a split second, the professor's hair appeared the most interesting shade of light minty green. I shook my head in an attempt to refocus. .

"Is something the matter?" She inquired as I handed the waterskin back.

"Na, I'm doing alright. No pain or anything, I just can't see out of that eye."

The professor reached out and grabbed my chin, tilting my head back and forth as she examined it. "It's all red and puffy. It's no wonder you can't see out of it."

I felt my mouth go dry regardless of the water I had just drank.

"It looks worse than it feels." I muttered as my good eye looked away.

"Maybe you should go see Manuela for the swelling." The professor backed off and I resumed cleaning my training weapon feeling my cheeks flush with heat.

"I...would much rather go eat something." I muttered under my breath as I scrubbed on the weapon like my life depended on it..

"Well then, how about you come grab a bite with me?" Sylvain approached with an easy grin as Byleth stood up.

"Need something father?" She spoke over to someone approaching on my blind spot and I twisted my head to see who she was talking man from last night, Jeralt entered the training grounds and started to make a beeline for me, or rather judging by where his eyes were locked, for Byleth.

"I want to talk to you for a minute pup." Jeralt's voice roughly called out from across the training grounds.

The professor scowled and issued a warning to Sylvain as she followed her father over to a more private corner of the training hall. "Behave yourself."

"Of course professor, am I not always a model student?" The redhead laughed as I stood up to put the weapon away. Sylvain flashed me an award winning smile while leaning on his training spear casually. "So, Lilianna , what do you think? Want to join me for a meal?"

"Didn't the professor just tell you to behave?!" Ingrid came up behind him in a fury and began attacking him with her training lance again.

"Hey, wow, Ingrid! Lighten up!" Sylvain reacted just in time and countered with his own weapon. "Look, it's almost a crime! The lady says she's hungry and I was simply asking if she wanted to join me at the table for a meal!"

"She said she wanted food, not sexual harassment - and defiantly not during breakfast!" Ingrid lectured as she proceeded to attack Sylvain with her training lance. The redhead valiantly attempted to hold his own against her furious attacks.

Dimitiri came up on my good side as I watched the pair spar with interest. I hazarded a glance up at the prince wondering what he wanted from me. The sweat shimmered on the prince's pale skin, and his straight blond hair stuck to his forehead having just finished his own training session. "I want to apologize for Sylvain's behavior, I speak with him often about it. However if you do not object, perhaps you would like to join me for breakfast instead? I'd love to speak with you more about that training session. It was quite impressive."

I tried to find my voice as I put the weapon back with Navan's things. The idea of dining with nobility gave me the shivers, but one did not turn down an invitation from the future king of Fodlan so easily.

"If it pleases you...your highness."

He frowned and put his hands, one on either of my shoulders. "Please, call me Dimitiri."

I nodded, wordlessly frozen in place as I stared up into crisp sterling blue eyes.

"Now let me hear you say it." He commanded as his eyes pierced through me.

I stuttered to obey his commands. "D-D- Dimi- Dimitiri."

He sighed at my pathetic attempt to obey orders. "Well, you're trying. Try to practice it. I am sure it will come more naturally if you do. Come on, I'll show you the showers."

I balked visibly this time but it did not deter his genuine concern and wish to be helpful. The prince patted my shoulder and gestured to the other side of the training hall.

"That's the men's showers over there and the women's are on the opposite side." Dimiriti gestured to the rooms respectively. He might have just been ignoring my visible hesitation, but I thought he might have just been that dense.

Recovering, I stammered a quick, "T-thank you."

"You're most welcome. Please let me know if you have any questions, I would be happy to show you around until you get the hang of things here. The monastery is quite large and navigation can pose a bit of the problem if you're unfamiliar with where everything is. Tell you what, how about I wait for you by the entrance of the training hall and then we can walk over to the dinning hall together?"

Silently I nodded my consent as the prince handed me my pack with an encouraging smile.


My morning breakfast was spent shyly in the company of the young prince and his stoic guardian Dedue. Near the end of the meal, Seteth came to collect me and show me around the rest of the monastery. One of the places that Seteth led me around was the towering bridge that led to the Monasteries spawning chapel. As we entered I had the opportunity to observe an ongoing choir practice.

The star of the show was easily a stunningly beautiful, wavy haired brunette that looked vaguely familiar. Her voice carried and wavered like a well trained singer, and I tried to place where I had heard the voice before. I studied her closely, until it clicked. The songstress looked a bit different than the last time I had seen her, she had matured quite a bit but her voice was still strong and unique. I tapped Seteth's arm to get his attention and he leaned down to hear what I had to say.

"Do you often accept performers from the Mittelfrank Opera Company?" I whispered into Seteth's ear while he glared at someone in the back row. I flicked a glance in the direction he was scowling and managed to catch a glimpse of Sylvain attempting to sneak out the back of the practice.

"Do not even think about it, Sylvain." Seteth ordered in a seething tone as a green haired young lady in the front politely hid her giggles behind the back of her hand.

Seteth proceeded to glare at the redhead as he rubbed the back of his head and got back into position. The advisor turned back to me as the songstress I recognized stopped singing her solo and the choir picked back up.

"We do not make it a habit but both Manuela and Dorothea are from the Mittelfrank Opera Company. Why do you ask?"

I tapped my finger to the side of my face in thought. "I was simply shocked to see performers among the student line up. Is it for publicity?"

Choir practice ended as we were whispering and everyone started to disperse around the chapel. Most of the students made a beeline for the bridge but the young green haired lady in the front approached us with a coy smile and an excited hail.

"Brother! Whatever are you doing here?"

"Ah Flayne, did you enjoy your choir practice?"

I looked at Seteth and then back at his sister who was gushing at his side. A slight wave of nausea washed over me, similar to the feeling that had occurred earlier this morning when I had looked at professor Byleth. It felt like I was looking at them from an odd angle or was looking through a clouded glass, and my gut twisted. The feeling lasted only for a second though and I reached up to rub my still good eye.

"Is something the matter?" Seteth inquired as Flayne gazed up at me in shock.

"Oh your poor eye! Is there nothing that can be done for you?"

I stopped rubbing my eye and gave a slight smile. "No, I'll be fine. It's not causing me any pain or anything. It's just a minor inconvenience at this point."

Flayn tilted her head to the side and gazed at the puffy red side of my face."It is a wonder that you can even see out of it as it is swollen so painfully."

"I can't see out of it right now. Professor Manuela said it might be a few days before the swelling goes down enough to see out of. We'll see if I regain my sight after that"

"Oh dear! That would be awful to lose your slight like so! Are you quite certain you will be ok?" She expressed a sincere concern as she stared in horror at the scared side of my face.

I shrugged seemingly less concerned about my eye as I was about the strange turn of fate that had landed me a chance to study at Garrach Mach Monastery in the first place.

Flayn turned to her brother and pleaded. "Brother, is there not anything more we do to help her?"

Seteth closed his eyes and answered flatly. "Manuela has already done what she can for her, the rest is in the goddess's hands."

I tried to make light of the situation and flashed her a bright grin. "It's alright! I should be fine! Even if I am missing an eye, it's not like I am blind. I can still conduct my research and go exploring, so I am not too worried about it."

I wasn't sure if what I said was convincing based on the concerned expression still on Flayn's face, so I followed up. "Really, don't worry about me."

Seteth folded his arms and glared at me. I got the distinct impression that if he was less disciplined he would have not allowed me to even speak with Flayn to begin with. "Are we through here? I need to take you up stairs to the library before my ten o'clock meeting."

The change in the advisors attitude had me back peddling."I beg your pardon Miss Flayn, it appears I am required to be elsewhere. It has been a pleasure meeting you." I bowed to her and she tilted her head curiously.

"It has been a pleasure speaking with you as well. I do hope we can chat again sometime soon." She expressed an interest in talking with me again as Seteth practically dragged me away from her.


Once introduced to the library I was thrilled beyond measure. The sheer array of books was beyond anything I had encountered before. I recalled only a few libraries having even come close to the sheer quantities of books and scrolls that lined shelf after shelf, story after story. Most of the studies and libraries I had past experiences with had been private collections, with only the most ambitious of collectors and scholars housing vast collections of books. For once I began to hope I might find some answers among the wealth of knowledge and education I was being foisted into.

Seteth explained how the books were categorized, checked out and then returned. After showing me the check out facilities, the advisor escorted me over to several of the study sections. While we were exploring one of the three stories worth of books Seteth paused. It was easy to see his expression change to one of displeasure as I trailed behind him.

"Master Hubert, Lady Edelgard, are you not supposed to be in class right now?" Seteth glared as the two students looked up from their studies unconcerned.

"Ah Seteth, you have caught us at an excellent time. Have you seen Tomas?" The tall greasy haired male with narrow yellow eyes looked a little too old to be a student. His distinct raspy voice echoed off the nearby bookshelves as he looked up from the study materials he was sharing with a stern faced female with white hair and intense light purple eyes.

I stayed back from the pair as Edelgard's cutting purple eyes shifted to me. I crossed my arms and stared back at her, immediately recognizing her as the knight in full armor that I had run into several weeks ago. The piercing violet eyes had left a distinct imprint on my mind.

"I have not, now would you answer my question?"

Edelgard flipped her hair over her shoulders in response to Seteth's pointed question. "We are here with permission from professor Manuela. We are doing research for a project she has assigned us."

Given the amount of books laying all over the tables I felt like she wasn't lying. Books of every type appeared to be spread out over the table in piles. There was even a variety of papers and leaflets scattered about for quick referencing. Interested, I scanned over some of the titles and noted they were mostly historical or strategy based titles, though there were several other types of education books lying scattered over the table as well.

"What project would that be?" Seteth's distrustful stare glared down at the students.

Eleguard didn't so much as bat an eye at the advisor's menacing aura. "We are tasked with looking up the trends and battle tactics prior students have used in the Eagle and Lion tournament. We plan on winning the tournament this year."

"Starting preparations a bit early are you not? Very well, carry on." Seteth consented as he looked over the research materials with a critical eye.

I cocked my head to the side even more interested than I was before, as Hubert moved to another table. The next table held a detailed elevation map completed with terrain and carefully crafted miniature battalions. Hubert moved the pieces along the battlefield as Edelgard got up with a notebook and quill in hand. Seteth motioned for me to continue our tour, leading the way down the rows of books. Their conversation drifted in between the stacks as Seteth led me deeper into the library.

Hubert's voice haunted me as we moved further away from the pair. "They moved the cavalry units here and here while…"

"Blue forces moved to the top of the hill? Why would they do that?" Edelgard chimed in with a question. Her stern voice broke into Hubert's explanation with no remorse.

"That is a good question. Let's check how it played out on page 86." Hubert clearly knew what was going on but was leading Edelgard through whatever they were researching.

I couldn't help myself from answering, knowing the reasoning without seeing the whole scenario. "They regrouped and mustered their forces in the most defensible position. High ground terrain is bad for any mounts or foot soldiers and flyers would be easy prey for the archers."

Edelgard poked her head out from behind the bookshelf. "Wait a moment, do you know tactics?"

Seteth paused his tour as I went back over to the table to study it in earnest. "I know a bit about battle strategies and tactics. I can tell you that while the best played strategy can go terribly wrong without practicing tactics, and even with practice they normally go to hell on the field. On the other side, tactics without a sound strategy is just noise before defeat."

I pointed to the hilltop they were discussing. "See here, the blue regrouped and baited out the black faster moving units, only to pick them off with the high ground advantage. Over by the river there, that's another defensive position …"

I proceeded to analyze the battle off the top of my head based on the current token positions on the board. Edelgard started taking rapid fire notes while Hubert would move the figures on occasion and would ask questions for further analysis.

A few hours later Edelgard looked up from her notes with a small smile. "Well I think we have analyzed enough for the time being. We should resume this conversation over lunch. Would you like to join us Lilianna?"

I was caught off guard with how she knew my name already. "Is it lunch time already?"

I looked around for Seteth who had sat down a few tables off immersed under piles of papers. He took the time to read and sign each one of them arduously before setting them off to the side in a neat stack. The completed pile was much higher than the incomplete pile as he looked up. "I am far too busy here at the moment, why don't you join the head of the Black Eagles for your lunch? It seems like a fair proposition and it seems that you both can learn something from each other."

Edelgard stuck her nose up into the air with the air of superiority that made me want to turn the offer down. "Hmph, so what do you say to lunch? I would like to run a potential few scenarios by you while we eat."

I glanced down at the board and then at her, trying to weigh the pros and cons of enduring lunch with the future emperor of the Adrestian Empire. Hubert mistook my hesitation as concern for the game board in front of us.

"Don't worry no one will disturb the simulation while we are away." Hubert cautioned with a sadistic 's smirk somehow felt shadowed and made my insides crawl.

"What scenario's were you thinking about?" I inquired as I resigned myself to my fate once again. My one good eye met fiercely determined violet eyes that shimmered with success.

"Excellent."

My lunch time was a whirl of questions from Edelgard. Mostly on battles, but some of her questions drifted over to things I had done in my life and how I had the experience to know what was going on. The bell rang as I finally got a chance to finish eating. I was still chewing as I followed Edelgard up to turn our trays over to a student on kitchen duty.

Edelgard caught me looking around, wondering what I should do next.

"You should come visit the Black Eagle's classroom with me. If Lady Rhea is looking to recruit you, you should visit the classrooms and see what each house is like."

Seteth had not reappeared to tell me what I should or should not do, so with a nod I accepted Edelgard's offer.

"As you are aware, I am the class representative for the Black Eagle's house this year."

She spoke as Hubert drifted along behind us as we walked through the rose gardens and into the classroom courtyard. Students were filing in from lunch. Some of them were throwing things, a few were petting the local dogs and cats, others were simply chatting or reviewing papers as they all filtered into the hallways. Professor Byleth gave me a small head nod as she entered a classroom accented with noble blue banners adorned with a roaring lion.

"That is the Blue Lion's classroom, mine is on the end here." Edelgard pointed to the classroom draped in blacks and reds, proudly indicating to the black eagle banner on the outside. "As you can guess the yellow banner at the far end represents the Golden Deer. So now you are aware of all the House homerooms."

Edelgard led the way into her classroom, her long white hair drifting out behind her like a ghostly apparition tied back with lavender hair ties. A provocatively dressed woman with a tight fitting dress and a fur coat stood at the head of the class writing simple magical formulas on the chalkboard in preparation for the afternoons lectures.

"Professor Manuela, I have brought an acquaintance to study with us for the day." Edelgard announced as we entered the classroom.

I was taken back as the head of the infirmary turned and pursed her lips. "Oh, I see it is you. Well, I see your feeling better if you're actually sitting in on classes now. Ah well, just sit wherever's open."

Several of the student's had already filtered in. Hubert motioned for me to sit next to him, who was one row behind Edelgard. She turned around and handed me a textbook. "We are studying magic principles this afternoon. You might find it interesting."

The amount of battle magic that the class seemed to be covering was a touch concerning to me, but I was not about to say anything. Magic of any sort interested me to some degree. Silently, I accepted the study materials and looked them over while the rest of the Black Eagles came in.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a timid, petite girl with purple hair sneaking into the classroom. Well, perhaps sneaking wasn't a strong enough word, as she was crawling to a seat in the far back, hiding behind a mound of books when she arrived at her desk.

"The lady you just observed crawling to her seat is the only heir to the von Varley house: Bernadetta von Varley. Rather quaint, that girl." Hubert smirked as he explained, his voice drawling to match the natural sneer he held on his lips. Glancing back to the door, a wild and regal looking female entered into the classroom next.

The queen, for no other words fit her better, possessed wild, intricately braided, purple hair and darken skin. Immediately my mind skipped along to the different books of cultures I had been subjected to in my youth, and I eyed students' brilliant red tattoos with interest. The queen gazed around for a second and took a seat towards the front, next to Edelgard.

"That is princess Petra Macnearys, she is the heir to the throne of Bridget." Hubert sneered as I watched the princess gracefully enter the building. The princess of Bridget took up residence in the front of the classroom next to Edelgard and she turned around upon hearing her introduction.

"It is a pleasure to be meeting you." Petra frowned and then tried again. "It is a pleasure to meet you." She corrected herself as I stood up and bowed to her.

"The pleasure is all mine my lady. My name is Lilianna." I introduced myself formally, fascinated by her despite her prodigious title.

On the other side of Petra, a man with brilliant orange hair sat down with a gallant smile. "The pleasure is all ours my fair lady! I am Ferdinand von Aegir!" The noble nearly shouted his name as he held out his hand.

I paused and decided on another formal bow, unsure of who I was actually addressing other than he was clearly a noble of some standing. "Lilianna, my lord."

"Do you have no secondary name? What is your full title?" Ferdinand questioned me and I started to sweat.

I licked my lips, attempting to bring moisture to my mouth as he bowed back to me with a vibrant smile. I attempted to answer when I promptly felt someone giving me a hug from behind.

"Oh, so you're the cute newcomer from the chapel earlier! My name is Dorothea." The well endowed songstress from earlier pressed up against me. I felt all the hairs on the back of my head stand up as her arms circled around in a soft and endearing hug.

"Dorothea, that is quite enough. Please take your seat." Professor Manuela instructed as she grabbed a riding crop from the nearby lectern.

I raised my eyebrows, but didn't say anything as the beautiful brunette with curling locks sat down on my good side with a cheerful wink.

"Oh you're the songstress from earlier!" I gasped in light surprise and reached out for her hand. "You were magnificent today! Just as you were the last time I saw you!"

A lighthearted peel of laughter graced the songstress's lips but I could see a hint of a blush on her cheeks. "It's nice to hear such a thing from a fan. I am flattered you were able to recognize me in the choir. "

"I could never forget such a beautiful voice." I complimented as the sleepy male with green hair wandered into class to sit in the back near Bernadetta. The timid girl caught me looking at her and our eyes locked for a second. She froze like a rabbit before a wolf, her wide eyes starting to water as she held back tears. I was about to ask Hubert what I had done wrong when a sleepy fellow yawned.

The dark green hair looked vaguely familiar, and I recalled the sleepy tone of voice from the night I had first met the students. The man was the one who had refused to heal me a few weeks back when I had broken my ribs. I flipped a page in the textbook and scanned over the contents as the sleepy man's name came to the forefront of my brain.

"Linhardt." I let the student's name roll off the tip of my tongue as I flicked my head in his direction.

"Present." He yawned as he reached into his back and pulled out, not his textbooks, but a fluffy black and red patterned pillow.

Hubert caught my look of amazement and snorted. "That is Linhardt von Hevring. He is both extremely smart and exceedingly lazy. He is our resident scholar and healer for the Black Eagle's house."

Hubert huffed at the end of his short explanation and I got the notion that he was unimpressed with Linhardt. I filed that piece of information away for later as Bernadetta let out a high pitched scream. I flung the book onto the desk in front of me and I was already halfway out of my seat when she fell onto the floor and started sobbing. Her scream alerted the blue haired teen I was becoming increasingly familiar with.

Caspar burst through the classroom doors yelling. He successfully elevated the situation as he stormed in ready to fight. "What's with all the screaming?!"

Caspar added to the din as he lunged for Bernadetta who was now lying petrified on the floor, frozen in a silent scream as her eyes slowly panned over to something that was moving next to her head. The girl's face turned a pale white as her silent scream of horror continued. Caspar noted where the problem was and he promptly slammed his fist down right next to her head. I continued to watch the scenario unfold as I swore Bernadetta was going to faint. However she surprised me by finding the courage to jump to her feet and she bolted straight out of the classroom screaming. "I can't handle this!"

"Huh? What's her deal? I just rescued her from that centipede." Caspar ruffled his hair and sat down in an open spot towards the back of the classroom. "I didn't mean to run her off."

"How very typical. As you have just witnessed, that is Caspar von Bergliez. He is the second son of Count Bergliez, the prime minister of military affairs." Hubert sneered as his hand raised up to cress down the side of his face. The second in command clearly displayed his knowledge and expertise about his fellow house members as he leered, knowing somehow exactly what I had been wondering about.

"Your question is written all over your face, but yes in fact this completely typical activity here in the Black Eagle house." He gestured to the wall where something hit it with a muffled thud. "You will find that we are a bit more well behaved than the Blue Lions over there, and much more cohesive a group then the Golden Deer."

The advisor sneered in contentment at the consideration of the other houses, and it appeared that he had more to say on the matter as Manuela's riding crop stuck into our desk with a crisp snap. "Alright get settled, I am going to begin class!"

The professor started to reign in her class as her high heels clicked across the worn stones of the classroom and flicked the riding crop on the blackboard behind her.

"Today we will be…"


I yawned as the bell released us for an mid-afternoon break. Several of the students trickled out into the courtyard from the Black Eagle's classroom and the aroma of tea and cakes quickly started to filter through the well tended gardens. Edelgard was currently preoccupied with asking professor Manuela several elaborate questions regarding healers capabilities in combat and how healing potions aided in the process.

Uninterested in the topic of war magic, I stood up to take a better look around the classrooms. It had been two hours since lunch and I had yet to see any sign of Seteth. With a shrug to Hubert who waved me off from her majesty's side, I walked over to the Blue Lions to sate my curiosity.

The Blue Lions classroom was still in the middle of a lecture, presumably because they had a rough start to the beginning of class. I poked my head in as Byleth closed her book and allowed her students to break.

"Be back in 30 minutes." She cautioned as the class started to get up and start moving.

Dimitri immediately went to the front of the class and started speaking with Byleth while I entered the classroom to look around. A broken chair lay abandoned in the corner of the room while Felix glared at it from his seat. From the middle row, Ashe pulled out a bag of cookies from within his pocket and offered them to a group of girls who were giggling behind him.

"Hey Mercedes, those cookies you made the other day were amazing. I really appreciate you giving me the recipe so I could try making them myself. Do you think you could try these and tell me what you think?"

A gentle looking student with long rose colored hair accepted one of Ashe's cookies with a soft smile as an orange haired student with her hair in hoops danced in her seat excitedly. "Ashe! Ashe! Can I try one too please?!"

The orange haired student gave off a hyper air that took the young man back for a second. Without any hesitation Ashe replied with a delighted smile. "Of course, please help yourself Annette."

Annette reached into the bag and pulled out a cookie and began eating. "Mercedes always makes excellent sweets, but yours are really good too Ashe! I wish I could bake like you."

"I have all kinds of practice in the kitchen." A faint blush ghosted over Ashe's pale skin making his freckles stand out even more as he admitted shyly. His soft green eyes wandered to catch me looking around the classroom.

"Oh, Miss Lilianna! Would you like a cookie as well? I really want to apologize for yesterday's incident..."

The teen held out the last cookie to me as I stood in the doorway looking around. I waved my hand to decline his offer. "You don't need to apologize. I shouldn't have been doing that spell in the back of a wagon to begin with. I am just honestly happy you weren't hurt when it went off."

Ashe held up the cookie. "I see, but still, I would like to apologize. I know a cookie won't make it up for interrupting your spell, but maybe you could humor me and tell me what you think anyway?"

Ashe's honest smile yanked a cord in my chest and I fought my instincts to just accept the food. My internal struggle continued as Sylvain turned around at the sound of my voice.

"Yo! Lilianna!" He caught sight of my face and stopped. His face fell with a visible look of concern.

"Ouch, man that looks painful. Care if I kiss it and make it all better?" The philanderer inquired with a charming wink as Felix reached over and slugged him in the arm.

"Shut up you idiot. Stop yelling in my ear."

"Umm, miss Lilianna?" Ashe called my attention back to him as he continued to hold out the last cookie. "Is there something the matter? I promise it will be good. I am a pretty decent cook."

From the determination that shone in Ashe's light green eyes, I began to assume that there was no way he was going to take no for an answer. Hesitantly, I accepted the cookie from him with a slight smile tugging at the corner of my lips.

"Alright I'll accept, but only on the condition that we split it." I bargained as I snapped the cookie in half. I felt my smile grow as I offered him the larger piece. Ashe's light green eyes sparkled and he bashfully accepted half of the cookie back.

"Alright! Thank you!"

"Mmm, Ashe this is really good." The soft spoken Mercedes put a hand to her face in pleasure while her noisy counterpart gushed.

"Ya, Ashe this is almost exactly like the way Mercedes makes them! What is that extra spice though, it tastes kind of sweet?"

"Oh that, I managed to get a hold of some vanilla beans after talking with the traders in the Caravan. I thought they would taste good with the sweets." Ashe explained as he looked around waiting for feedback.

I took a small experimental bite of the cookie and felt the bliss flushing to my cheeks. It was just like Annette and Mercedes said, very sweet but still very good. Quickly, I demolished the rest of the cookie while Ashe started to laugh nervously.

"Ah haha, I guess that means that the vanilla was a good idea?"

I nodded in agreement. "Yes! It tasted amazing! Thank you very much Ashe!"

The intensity of the blush on the teens cheeks made his freckles stand out. "I am glad to hear you enjoyed it."

The conversation changed, and I learned that I chatted with Ashe and the girls. Mercedes introduced herself as Mercedes von Bartels and kindly offered if I ever needed a big sister figure to come and talk with her. While Annette jumped in and introduced herself with an excited air as Annette Fantine Dominic. They both expressed that they were from areas in the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus and had been students of the Magic Academy. Delighted to make their acquaintances I introduced myself to the pair as well. As we were talking Dimitiri and Byleth approached us.

"So, Lilianna how are you enjoying the Officer's Academy?" Dimitri inquired as Felix got up from his chair and flanked me.

The blue haired swordsman glared at me as he growled. "Hey you."

Unsure of who he was talking to I pointed to myself feeling concerned. I didn't think I had done anything to annoy Felix today, but perhaps he was taking an interest in me anyway.

Felix's brown eyes glared sharply back at me as I felt a bit of a sweat break out on the back of my neck. "Yes, you. I still want a match. I know, how about after dinner in the training yard?"

Ingrid, having none of Felix's attitude, grabbed the swordsman's ear and yanked on it while she started lecturing him sternly. "That is not how you ask a lady out!"

"What? Don't be stupid! I just want to see if she is a good opponent." Felix growled in protest as he struggled to get away from Ingrid.

Dimitri rested his face in his hands as Sylvain came up and rested his arm on the prince's shoulder. Dedue growled as the lanky redhead grinned at me.

"Ingrid's right, that is totally not how you ask a lady out. So instead let me show you how it's done. Hey Lilianna, how about you and me go into town tonight? We can grab some dinner, listen to some of the street musicians, I'll show you the town..."

"Get your arm off the prince." Dedue issued a low warning as Sylvain flashed me an attractive smile.

"Now Dedue, I can push Slyvian off if I desired." The prince looked up at the slightly taller redhead. "I thought you injured your side this morning sparring with Ingrid, am I correct in assuming that I witnessed that blow correctly?"

"Na. I am fine. I am just leaning on you for fun." Sylvain grinned as he shot me a sly wink. "So how's about that dinner cutie?"

I struggled to figure out how to artfully decline as Byleth reached out and poked the redhead's ribs.

Sylvain went ghost white as she went to poke him again. "Ok, ok, stop. They hurt alright?"

Byleth and Dimitiri sensed their prey's weakness and jumped on him together.

"What are we going…!"

"You need to..!"

Alarmed by the lectures and yelling going on as Ingrid put Felix in a sleeper hold, I backed away slowly. Ashe looked lost while the two women laughed and cheered from the background. The lecture escalated in intensity with Sylvain sandwiched in between the fierce imposing figures of both the Professor and his house representative and I slipped out the door into the safety of the courtyard.


The sound from Sylvain's lectures only escalated in intensity as I escaped out into the courtyard with a sigh of relief. With one last look around for Seteth I decided to sate the last of my curiosity by poking my head into the last classroom, Golden Deer's homeroom.

As I poked my head into the doorway, I was met by a mountainous form hurrying out the doorway yelling back into the classroom.

"I'll go get us a snack! Don't start class until I get back alright?"

I pulled my head back in the nick on time as Raphael barreled past me.

"Hang on Raphael!" A pale green haired student with round glasses trotted after Raphael a moment later protesting.

"We need to get moving Ignatz! How do you expect me to study on an empty stomach?" Raphael looked back and spotted me hiding up against the wall making sure I still had my nose.

"Oh hey Lilianna! Do you want a snack? We were just on our way to the kitchens!" Raphael waved to me as he stopped and waited for Ignatz to catch up to him.

"Huh, no thank you?" I was caught off guard by his sudden offer.

Lucky the mountainous man's good nature continued and he wasn't offended by my sudden rejection. He laughed as I touched the end of my nose for good measure. "Are ya sure? Studying's hard, but it's even harder when your hungry!"

Ignatz caught up to him for a second as Raphael waved and jogged off towards the kitchens yelling back. "I'll bring ya back something anyway! If you don't want it then I can always eat it!"

The green haired Ignatz stood in the courtyard for a second longer looking confused. He gave a short bow and adjusted his glasses as he stuttered. "My apologies!"

"Alright? Take care?" I gave a halfhearted wave back as the two departed into the shrubbery that led to the kitchens. I stood there for a second, feeling rather confused because we had just ate lunch a few hours ago and shrugged. I proceeded to poke my nose back into the classroom doorway to see the rest of the classroom.

As I poked my head back into the room I gasped in surprise. Claude's pale green eyes sparkled as his mischievous smile filled my entire field of vision. I took an involuntary step back in shock as his nose nearly touched mine.

"C-Claude?! What are you doing?!"

He chuckled and straightened up to lean comfortably on the door frame."Not much, we are just going on break. Can I ask what you are doing here?"

I put my hand over my heart. It was going a mile a minute. I took a deep breath and slowly released the spell I had been preparing to cast. I answered honestly as I crossed my arms and glared up at him. "I am investigating the classrooms?"

It was Claude's turn to look surprised, but he recovered with an even wider grin. With a wave of his hand he motioned me to come forward. "Come on in then and meet the deers!"

Hesitant at first, I followed him into the confines of the classroom a second later. Once inside I couldn't help myself from looking around with evident interest.

Claude was chatting, making easy conversation, pointing out his fellow classmates. "So that one painting her nails in the front of the classroom there is Hilda, who I believe you have met before. The orange haired girl over there doing push ups is known as Leonie. I am sure you remember our resident healer, Marianne from the caravan ride."

I nodded as Claude continued, not phased at all by my silence. "I know you're already acquainted with our resident mage and bookworm, Lysithea, and you just watched Ignatz and Raphael going to get snacks. So that's pretty much everyone of importance here."

There was a squeak of the bench next to us as a violet haired teen with sharp features stood up with a growl. "Now see here Claude! You conveniently forgot to mention me!"

Claude leaned towards me with a quick wink to me as he replied nonchalantly. "Oh Lorenz! I am sorry I didn't even see you lurking about there."

Lorenz turned a flush red and started ranting. "I have been in class the entire time! How could you not see me? I also note that you conveniently forgot to introduce me!"

Lorenz snorted and turned to me with an elegant bow. "My fair lady, please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Lorenz Hellman Gloucester. I am forever at your service my lady."

Claude rolled his eyes as I bowed back with an elegant leg of my own. "It is a pleasure to meet you sir Gloucester. My name is Lilianna."

Lorenz frowned and went to say something but Claude quickly interjected over top of him. "By the way Lilianna, I see your face is doing a lot better. How are you feeling? Are you suffering from any ill effects from your accident yesterday?"

Claude's interruption had Lorenz flushing beat red in anger over being ignored. The violet haired teen tried to continue his introduction. "If you need anything please do not hesitate to let me know."

The two males made eye contact for a moment. Lorenz staring down Claude who was grinning innocently up at him. I waited for a second for the tension to subside as I answered Claude's questions whilst looking around the Golden Deer's classroom feeling slightly concerned.

"I am doing much better today, thank you for asking."

The classroom was in complete disarray. In retrospect, the Blue Lions classroom had the broken chair in it, but the classroom itself had been almost military the Black Eagles classroom had been neatly organized except for the things that the class materials were to cover and had a few decorations to make the classroom feel elegant and refined.

Both of the other Houses looked almost immaculate compared to the classroom in front of me. Scraps of paper littered the floor, while the desks were shoved against the sides of the room. The desks themselves were piled up high with an assortment of books, materials, and even some had full out weapons on display. Standing in the center of the classroom, a simulation map similar to what I had seen up in the library was set up. This one had a more intricately painted terrain while the figures were a bit worse for wear. Several were worn down flags and simple wooden markers, even erasers were being used on an odd occasion, while some of others place holders were full out miniatures. Interested in what they were simulating, I stepped up to study the scenario.

Claude slid up next to me clasping his hands behind his back as he leaned over the board.

"We are currently reviewing our last mission and seeing what we could have done differently. You know, the one where we rescued your caravan?" He gestured to the board, his shoulder length yellow cape fluttering at his elbow. "As you can see, we are making limited progress."

I nodded confirming the mess of figures that I saw scattered around the board. "I see. You guys are really going over the fine details here."

I leaned over the board and pointed to the circle of erasers towards the edge of the board. "I am going to guess those are the caravans. Our caravan's circled to protect themselves, while us mercenaries moved to meet the threat head on."

My hand moved over to the well cut figures coming down the road. "To further go out on a limb here, am I correct to assume that guys caught wind of the fighting due to scouts? If that is the case, your formations entered without really picking the choice terrain or advantage point."

I explained my logic as I noted the board's layout. "However if this wasn't a rush battle, you would have wanted to avoid the rough mountain terrain at the side here and used slightly different units. Archers are ideal for the range and terrain, but it would have been better if you had the opportunity to move more foot units and tanks in to protect the civilians."

"How very astute of you." Lorenz sniffed as he moved two pieces on the board. "That's why I proposed doing this."

I shook my head and moved the archers back into their original positions on the cliff sides. Next, I put the mages next to the archers. "Archers can't attack anything at close range, which is why it's a good idea to have a heavy unit or mages to back them up. That also gives them the high ground advantage."

I moved a few more pieces as I attracted more attention from the class. "Your mages can attack at range or close quarters, and both mages and archers are pretty good at taking down those foot units. These bandits were mostly axe users, brigadiers and hunters most likely, but there were a handful of archers and I think I saw one or two mages."

"Oh that's not a bad observation!" Claude rapidly started moving pieces. "If we had moved the archers onto this ridge top, Dimitri and Eleguard could have moved in to protect the caravans and advanced while we provided cover. The cavalry would have then had free rein to go after those enemy archers."

I cleared the board and started another scenario. "See here…"


The shadows were getting longer as we all crowded around the game board. Together as a class, we had gone through all kinds of scenarios from practical to out right implausible.

Lorenz and Claude were bickering over the angle of different maps and unit placements while the last bell rang. I looked up from the board in surprise as Ignatz asked a particular question about how well sniper scouts would work in a heavily forested area. I was about to address the question as Rapheal picked me up in the crook of his arm with a huge grin. He beamed down at me and exclaimed excitedly.

"I don't understand half of what's being said right now, but it's time for dinner!"

"What? Hey! Put me down, I want to help answer Ignatz's question!" I protested as Claude stretched lazily next to me leaving off his argument with Lorenz.

Meanwhile Lorenz started to pack up the figures while Hilda yawned and somehow managed to coerce Ignatz and Leonie into carrying the simulation table to the far corner of the room and directed them to moving the tables back in order. At the same time Lysititha and Marianne started tidying up the room, picking up the loose papers and quills. Hilda took a second to supervise the restructuring of the tables, and then reluctantly began sorting through the books on the desks complaining.

"Ugg, why do we have to clean up the classroom? This is servant work."

Claude made his way over to the messiest desk at the front of the room and started sorting through piles of books. "Ya, we probably shouldn't have made such a mess but come on, with everyone helping we can all go to dinner that much sooner."

A knock on the door caused me to stop wiggling in Raphael's embrace. I looked towards the doorway to spy a scowling Seteth while Flayn peaked into the classroom curiously.

"Ah, I have finally found you Miss Lilianna. We have been looking everywhere for you." The advisor's stern face pulled into a disappointed frown as I froze in place, aware of the strange position I was currently in. "Master Raphael, would you please release her?"

Raphael's hold lessened as Claude's cheerful face popped up near my elbow. "Hey Seteth, do you think we could keep her until after dinner? She's been helping us with our strategy and I would love to pester her a bit more while we eat."

Seteth crossed his arms as Flayn looked around in wide-eyed wonder. She elegant light green ringlets bouncing as she craned her neck in interest as the rest of the class finished cleaning the classroom. "It is alright brother, I will let master Navan know that she is eating with friends."

"I am opposed to the idea. You should come dine with us so that we may discuss your future and enrollment in the academy." Seteth started speaking as the huge man holding me boomed out in a happy voice.

"Ya, she's with us!"

Raphael's arm restricted back around me as I continued to hang in place like a helpless rag doll in the huge man's embrace.

Claude winked at me as he smoothly worked to address Seteth's concern. "I can drop her off at your office when we are done picking her brain, don't worry."

Seteth looked at me as I gave a slight reassuring wave and he signed. The sigh signaled that he was relenting, the strain in his voice plausible as he expressed his decision. "Alright she can stay."

There was a loud din all around me as a cheer went up. Seteth waited for the cheers to die down and then he continued.

"I'll expect you to drop her off before 6 pm sharply, master Riegan."

Claude smiled, knowing he had just won a small battle as the older man gave an exasperated sigh. "Sure thing Seteth. I got it, no problem!"

Shortly after Seteth departed, Raphael carried me to the dinning hall.

"Come on, I can walk." I protested disgruntled as he set me up on his shoulder.

"Nu uh, you're going to stay with me until Claude says I should let you go."

It felt strange sitting on the huge man's shoulder, high above the rest of the dinning hall. I could see students filtering in, along with full fledged knights and even some servants and monks. The capacity of the dinning hall really was impressive and from the height I was at I got an even better look at the impressive facilities.

Claude, and the rest of the class, had disappeared as soon as we had stepped foot in the dining hall. I craned my neck as I looked around for the Golden Deer's house leader, but I got side tracked by the architecture of the huge stone beams and stain glass windows

. "Huh, that's interesting." I noted a window adored with a lily flower and I tapped Raphael's shoulder. "Could you please set me down? I want to go look at something."

Raphael's shook his head and he dug a giant spoon and fork out of his bag. "Nope, no can do! You've been on your feet all day. It's time to eat and relax!"

"He has a point you know." Hilda appeared as I analysed the dining room's architecture from where I was stuck. Her brilliantly pink pigtails bounced as she made her way through the crowds, the colorful hair easy to pick out in the crowd. "You are still recovering. Jeez, you have a bad habit of getting beat up don't you? You really should be more careful."

The floral scent of lavender and sweetpea's met my nose as Hilda walked in front of us. The scent was impressive given the overwhelming smell of dinner that was coming from the kitchens not all that far off. The floral scent suddenly reminded me of the conversation I had with the maid from last night.

"Oh! Hilda!" I hailed her as she carried a tray of food off to a nearby table. "I want to say thank you for last night. That gift was so thoughtful and sweet of you! I must say the scent was very elegant, and the soap worked wonders in washing off all the grime from the road."

Hilda's pink eyes lit up and she gave me a brilliant smile. "Aww, I am glad I was able to help you! Perhaps you can lend me a hand next time I need it?"

She beamed up at me unexpectedly and I felt myself returning the sentiment. "Sure thing!"

"Uh no, you're making promises to Hilda now? You're going to regret that." Claude appeared almost magically out of the crowd holding two trays of food. "Thanks for hanging onto her for me Raphael, you can put her down over there."

The golden deer leader placed a tray down at the end of the nearby table and then gestured for Raphael to set me down. I pursed my lips as I learned Raphael had been holding me on Claude's request. "Hey, that's no fair Raphael! I asked to be put down earlier and now you're just doing as he says?"

Raphael laughed sheepishly and explained. "Well Claude said that it was important to make sure no one kidnapped you until he returned! I didn't think anyone would actually steal you, but it couldn't hurt to keep you safe!"

I scowled at Claude who was giving him a thumbs up for a job well done.

"It's almost like you're holding me prisoner." I muttered darkly as I sat down in the proffered seat.

Claude slid into the bench across from me. "Na, I'd never do something like that. I just wanted a chance to talk to you in private."

"Funny you consider this private." I looked around the dining hall with a raised eyebrow. The hall was only growing louder as more students filtered in and began eating.

"Sometimes it's easier to hide in plain sight. I don't have to worry about anyone overhearing us in this din." He narrowed his eyes as he slid the second tray of food over to me.

I stopped looking around, feeling rather uneasy in the dining hall due to the sheer number of people in it. The sudden appearance of food in front of me had my mouth watering but I couldn't help but stare down at the tray of food in front of me in confusion. Somehow the portions seemed a bit larger than what would normally be appropriate. Some of the plates were full enough that they were on the verge of overflowing.

"There is a lot of food here." I said flatly as I picked up my fork.

The house leader across the table just grinned knowingly at me, waiting patiently for me to start eating. I chewed my bottom lip and tentatively poked at the massive salad on my plate. "Really, this is a lot of food. Is this normal?"

"You look like you could use a few decent meals." Claude cheerfully informed me as I picked at my food. "Besides it is well balanced, make sure to eat your vegetables!"

My dining partner lectured my cheekily as he watched me pick at my salad questionably. I caught him watching me expectantly and paused, feeling more uneasy then I should. "Why are you watching me like that? Did you poison it or something?"

He blinked and rubbed the back of his head. "Haha, you are cautious. Can't say I blame you exactly, those rumors are not baseless after all."

Alarmed I pushed the tray away from me. "Then you did poison it!"

Claude backtracked frantically as I went to get up. He leaned across the table and grabbed my hand to get my attention. "No wait! I didn't say that, and I swear I didn't poison it!"

I had one knee on the bench, getting ready to leave as I stared down at the light brown hand holding mine in wonder. I followed the hand up to scowl at the Golden Deer, determined to get to the route of the problem. "You are really putting me off tilt here, Claude. What game are you playing here? Why are you so interested in me?"

He sat back down and let my hand go as I wavered in between leaving and hearing him out.

"No reason really, call it a causal interest. I just like to get to know new people cause you never know when a new opportunity will show up. Not like you can't judge a book by it's cover, you know?" He answered earnestly as he watched me scowl at a vegetable floret.

I ate it grudgingly and then turned my attention to the pheasant on my plate. He seemed to enjoy watching me try different foods on my plate. As I took another bite of my bird I had to admit the good was good. My eyes flicked to him for some kind of signal. Claude laced his hands together and rested his chin on top of them.

"Don't hold back on my account." He encouraged me and with a sly smirk. His slight encouragement was all it took for me to state eating with a gusto.

"Ah, this is amazing!"

Claude chuckled for a second as he watched me attempt to tackle the mountain of food in front of me. Casually the leader picked up his own fork and knife casually cutting into his own meal now that I was eating mine in earnest. As he looked down cutting into his own food he casually started to sate his curiosity.

"I'll admit I am interested in why you were traveling on that Caravan and what you were doing in Almyra? You'll have to forgive me, but you don't exactly look like you are a native."

I shrugged and chewed my food. The answer was very similar to what I had given Seteth the night before. "You are correct. I am a native born here in Fodlan."

I took another bite, savoring the food cooked with spices and seasonings as melted in my mouth. After the long roads eating plain wild game, anything that was even vaguely salted tasted divine. As I ate I started to contemplate what Claude was planning, in an effort to better anticipate his questions and have answers prepared. I had to deeply consider what I was willing to part with about my history.

Claude waited for me to continue talking with evident interest. I started again, slowly choosing my words. "I was traveling in the Caravan because the money was good and I had just returned from my prior assignment, ending my contract. I was looking for work and a way back to Fodlan for my own reasons."

Claude's curiosity was almost pliable and I reluctantly divulged a bit more. "Before you ask, I had been contracted to study some abandoned ruins out in the mountain regions to the far north."

Claude's interest in our conversation was apparently getting the better of him as he leaned forward with more questions. "So did you find anything of interest in Almyra?"

I shrugged as I sliced my roll in half and proceeded to butter it. "Why are you interested in what I was doing in another country?"

"General curiosity." He answered easily as he shrugged. "I enjoy learning, and as the next Sovereign Duke of the Alliance, I tend to stick my nose in foreign matters more than most."

I made a mental note to be even more careful with my words and what I was willing to impart as I sighed. I leaned my head on my hand, my fork balancing off to the side while I thought about how to answer him.

"I turned my findings over to the Pasha in the area. I believe it was a national treasure of sorts that they were after. Unfortunately, I did not find the item I was interested in locating myself. As it stood, I handed over the artifacts I was contracted to find and was therein was out of a job."

"So what, do you just wander into temples and steal whatever fits your fancy?" Claude matched my pose. His hand casually cupping his face as he asked a question that would have been insulting had he knew what I actually did.

I set about correcting his misunderstanding. "Depends on your definition of stealing? If stealing is diving into deep waters to explore shipwrecks or exploring ancient puzzles and mazes then yes, I steal. However, the people I am taking my prizes from are long since dead. I am after artifacts after all."

I shrugged and picked at my dinner for a second, moving the vegetables around my plate debating if I wanted to eat anymore. "I am often contracted by nobility who like to know more about the mysteries on their lands."

"Oh so you are like a treasure hunter then." It was obvious that Claude's thinking was fluid as he jumped from one conclusion to the next with ease.

I pursed my lips and slowly let out a small sigh. I reluctantly picked up another floret and ate it before continuing. "I guess, though the job doesn't pay nearly as well as one would expect. I was out peddling minor medicines at a bazaar when a fellow trade merchant approached me with an interesting rumor. The rumor caught my interest and I spent some time trying to secure passage from the northern regions to the Fodlan border."

I scowled as I remembered the trip. "Finding a Caravan that was allowed across the Locket was harder than I expected. So I guess, short story here is, I found my way here by doing a lot of walking."

"Hey now, that sounds pretty interesting. So tell me, did you write a report or anything on your explorations? What drove you to Almyra? What were you looking for there?"

Claude rapidly fired even more questions at me as I picked over my food, no longer hungry. My stomach twisted in knots as I pointed my fork at him."You keep asking questions, but you seem to be dodging mine."

"Hey! I answered your question on why I got you more food."

It was about the time my brain registered that he had a lot less food in front of him than I did. On further inspection, the portion sizes on his plate compared to mine were directly relational. I could only assume that he had given me half of his own meal. My discovery only assistant in making the twisted feeling in my gut worse. Uncomfortable at the prospect of him sharing his food with me again, I felt myself lose all of my appetite.

"I'm not going to be able to eat this all you know." I growled as I pushed my still overflowing tray towards him. Claude's eyes flashed as he finished cleaning his own plates.

"It'd be nice if you try."

I rolled my eyes as I grudgingly bit into half of my roll thinking deeply, trying to get a read on the man before me. His pale green eyes narrowed and he started to blush slightly. "If you keep staring at me so intensely I'll think something is up."

"It's...just you look familiar, but I can't place it." I stopped eating and propped my head up on both of my hands this time again feeling like I should know the face in front of me. "And I still want to know why you're being so...attentive. For one thing you keep giving me food and I still desire to know why you are so interested in me."

My direct questions earned me a short laugh from my dinner companion. He continued to relax, keeping his chin resting on his hand. Claude slipped in a sly wink as he responded to my own questions. "Well it's my job. As the leader of the Golden Deer, I am supposed to recruit students into joining my house. Obviously my success varies, besides I told you already, I just feel like you're a bit of an outsider to Garreg Mach, and that you're interesting to me. Things can get pretty boring here without anything new going on."

The food on my plate was entirely too much and I put my roll down feeling like I had ate entirely too much. There was still a lot of food left over on my plate. "So what are you after? Entertainment then? Are you trying to recruit me into your house?"

I accused him, questioning him in a similar manner that he had just been asking me.

Claude was unruffled by my rapid fire questions. "Haha, maybe? Maybe it's just a friendly interest." He waved my questions off easily as he reached over and picked at the remains of my plate.

"So you are not interested in me joining your house then?" I slyly inquired to him as I flicked my hair out of my eyes.

The direct question caused him to pause as he picked over the remains of my dinner looking slightly bewildered. "Now did I say that?"

I leaned heavily on my hand studying him again. The Golden Deer was skillfully dancing around my questions and he definitely wasn't giving me anything to work with. His pale green eyes caught me analyzing him again. Claude shrugged as he proceeded to pick up a toothpick. Nonchalantly he began chewing on the end of it.

Frustrated and feeling more than a bit confused by his roundabout answers and confession I growled. "Are you talking me in circles on purpose?!"

In response to my frustration, a sparkling eye winked at me and Claude proceeded to help himself to the uneaten half of my bread roll. "Na, nothing like that. I just put on the air of mystery to help recruit people into the Golden Deer. It's part of my charm you see."

I rolled my good eye as he seemed to take amusement in my growing frustration.


At 6pm sharp Claude dropped me off at Seteth's office with a wave and a promise to talk again soon. By the end of our conversation my head had been reeling and I was a bit in a daze. I was beginning to wonder if it was even a choice of mine to enter the academy.

I knocked tentatively on Seteth's office door as I struggled to come to terms with recent events and everything that had happened in the past two days. The door opened with a creak to reveal Navan's haggard face.

"Och, where have ya been lass? I've ha been lookin nay everywhere for ya."

The door groaned as Navan opened the door. I stepped into Seteth's office to find a well kept room full of books, maps, and a desk piled high neatly organized stacks with papers. However, the person that the office belonged to was missing. Looking around curiously I was amazed at the sheer amount of information on display in the spacious office.

"Navan, where is Seteth?" I inquired as I looked up and down the rows of reading materials in amazement.

"We was talkin before yon turned up, but his lordship was called away to the beck and tow of the archbishop." He stroked the fine braids on his reddish beard. "He should returnth any min now."

"I see." I leaned down to examine the globe on the table along with a decorative decanter of what I assumed was wine or whisky.

"So lassy, what do you think? Are we resting here for a while?"

"I know it's not ideal, but…" I thought about all the things I had learned today and seen. "I think this place could help me."

I pondered the thought a minute more and continued as Nava crossed his arms waiting for my final decision. "If they are offering us free food and board while I research, I think it's in our best interest to stay here for a bit. See what new information crops up, and maybe I can build some new connections."

"I fig'red as much the moment her ladyship proposed stayin. Yer father didn't raise na fool. Just be careful lass."

"I know, I know." I waved him off as I moved away from studying the desk and started looking around the far side of the office. "By the way, Navan, what is your story with that Jarelt?"

"Ach, you'd scarcely remember I suppose. The last time we traveled over Alliance territory, we helped out a band of Merc's clear out sum caves of ol pirates. That'd be Jarelt's merc band."

I tried to think back. "The Caves of Tristum, that was yet another failed endeavor."

Navan chucked at my grumpiness. "Yon only says that cause yon found naught for yer efforts. I, meself, was a thinkin that ale was a damn magnificent drink!"

I rolled my good eye as I studied a huge map pinned to the board. The map was divided into the three kingdoms of Fodlan. Yellow for the Leicester Alliance, Blue for the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus, and red for the Adrestian Empire. The red, blue, yellow and green pins were scattered everywhere across the map at an alarming rate and the consistency caught my imminent attention. A clustering of notes and red pins caught my eyes and I had just started reading them as Seteth entered.

"Ah, there you are. I apologize for the delay, the archbishop just received desperate news. Please come follow me."

I cocked my head in interest as Seteth led the way down the corridor to the audience chamber. Byleth and Jarelt joined us as we left the office and Seteth led us down to the reception hall. Rhea was waiting bathed in the light of an ocean of stained glass. My good eye took a second to focus on her again, something flickering like the edge of the shadow and I shook my head lightly as we approached to clear my head.

"Ah Lilianna , Professor, Jarelt, Navan. I am glad you all could come at a short notice. Professor, if you will excuse me for a second." Rhea folded her hands in front of her gently and turned to address me. I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand up as I locked my arms behind my back and stood at attention.

"Lilianna, the professor has said good things about you and has asked if you would like to join our prodigious academy. I said I would allow you to have some time to think about it, but alias time waits for no one."

The archbishop took a second to pause as her eyes roamed to the professor standing next to me. "Professor Byleth, I know you have just returned from an emergency mission with your students, but it appears I have another critical mission for you. We have just received word that there are strange beasts roaming the forest's edge near the Monastery. There is panic in the nearby towns and they are posing a threat to our supply chain by attacking the trade routes coming in and out of Garreg Mach. I would like to request that you and your students work to patrol the forest, visiting the nearby towns to make sure they are properly protected while Jeralt and his command deal with the beasts directly."

Byleth nodded as I heard the low sigh from Jeralt. "We just return only to be redeployed. Pup, you think you can handle this?"

Byleth nodded solemnly. "Of course father, I'll protect the students and complete the objective."

Rhea gave us a soft, warm, smile as her attention returned to me. "With the most pressing news out of the way then, what will you do miss Lilianna? Will you join us here at the Monastery?"

"Strange beasts you say?" I crossed my arms lost in thought despite the present company.

Rhea nodded elegantly, her radiance and grace holding a finite composure despite the desperate news. "Yes, they are giant beasts of a yet unknown origin. It would be a great help to us if you could assist us in identifying where they came from and what they are doing here."

I shot a look at Navan who shrugged unconcerned. The assignment was nothing new to us. "I'll be following yer led lass. Whatever ya choose, yon know oi'll follow ya ."

I nodded and uncrossed my arms. "We would gladly accept your invitation, your holiness. It is a great honor to be thought of so highly."

I bowed as I nearly heard the eye roll from Jeralt next to us.

"Ah, I am relieved to hear that. Now given that you have only had a day to explore the monastery grounds, you must realize by now that we are still holding classes. It would be to your benefit to decide on a house to join and begin your studies as soon as possible. Seteth has reported that you have been introduced to all the house representatives, so this should not prove to be too much of a challenge for you."

I thought about my day in reflection. I thought I would have had more time to decide, but like Lady Rhea had said, time waits for no one. I would have to make the decision based on my limited understanding of each house, its house leaders, and the subjects that interested them.

It was clear each house had their own strengths to consider and their members were a diverse mixture of personalities. The Black Eagles appeared to be prim and proper, taking a direct lead from their house leader, the lady Edelgard . Edelgard herself appeared to be driven with a passion to lead and to make the right decision, considering and planning to take action long before she acted. In fact I was pretty sure I could check in on the library after this and they would still be studying the same simulations I had left them with. The Black Eagles also seemed to possess the most talented mages out of the three houses with Lindhart, Dorothea, and Hubert all focused on an array of magic and skills sets. That fact immediately held my interest and made it hard for me to overlook.

The Blue Lions on the other hand seemed to be a straightforward and earnest bunch, each looking out for the other to a fault despite their differences. Their leader, Dimitri seemed to take things at face value and they all seemed to be hard workers. The fact that most of my morning training partners had been from the Blue Lions house, which was a testament to their strong wills and dedication to becoming proper knights. Byleth was also the lead professor for the Blue Lions, so if I wanted to work more with her then the Blue Lions house would be a natural choice. The new professor was knowledgeable and very persuasive, and I would love to get to know her better. I also was keenly reminded that she was also the reason I was even being allowed to study at the monastery in the first place. That fact caused me to waiver away from the Black Eagles and I heavily considered joining the Blue Lions.

Then I gave careful consideration to the Golden Deer house. As chaotic and quarrelsome as the house seemed, the group seemed to value collaboration and intelligence, and there was a decent amount of commoners like myself to make things feel less stiff. In regards to the house leader, Claude, he seemed to be making an honest effort to win me over by taking time out of his day to recruit me. It kind of felt like he had a hidden agenda however, though he said earlier that was just part of his normal charm. I analyzed his behavior, however and couldn't make heads or tails of him. I would probably need to join the Golden Deer if I wanted to figure out more about him. The air of mystery Claude presented and his personal skills alone tantalized me into carefully considering a house I normally would not have considered.

Rhea waited for me to make a decision as the rest of the chamber was dismissed to begin preparations for the upcoming mission. I listened with interest as Navan was assigned to Jeralt's knights company for the time being, while Byleth left to start collecting supplies. The immediate leave of the rest of the companions left just the archbishop, her advisor, and me in the aqua stained room together.

"It is a hard decision is it not?" Rhea offered condolences in a soft voice. "Each house is talented in their own ways."

I began as I allowed my limited vision to wander to the sparking stained glass windows. The depictions of the progenitor god, along with the Immaculate one reflected the lights. Something stirred in my memory, under a blanket of fog, something dark and unwelcome.

I shook my head to dismiss the dark thought that was creeping up like a silent nightmare and took a second longer to be sure of my answer. With a strong and decisive voice I looked straight at Seteth and answered.

"I would like to join the Black Eagles if you please. With the largest amount of mages and their dedication to analyzing and research, I think my skills are best served in the service to that house."

Seteth closed his eyes as he confirmed my decision. "I will notify Lady Edelgard of your intentions. She will have some say in you joining, but I do not foresee it causing an issue. You are dismissed."


Author Corner:

Soo - Thank you very much for reading! That was such a long chapter! I really hope you enjoyed reading and are looking forward to seeing how the story is progressing! I should probably mention that I am planning on releasing weekly content - I currently have 5 chapters ready for posting and then will switch to a weekly schedule - so you can expect more on this journey and look forward to reading regular releases! So hit the follow button if you don't want to miss an update - and if your enjoying it - please also hit a fav or drop a comment!

On to the Chapter Recap:

This chapter has a lot of information in it, but your formally introduced to almost all the students! I hope you also were able to pick up on everyone's general personality. How they were introduced, how they related, and how Lilianna got to know them.

You also see how day two at Garreg Mach Monastery turned out for Lilianna. She's having an eventful two days, but at least there wasn't any accidents really today.

You did find out about each of the house leaders, and find out why Claude has been paying special attention to her. (For those who need more of an explanation here - Byleth picks her own house and in this case she choose to lead the Blue Lions house. Which means Claude missed out on recruiting her, so he stepped up his game the second time around.(He doesn't like losing.))

You also got to see Sylvain trying very hard to pick Lili up - I wonder if he will have any success?

Other fun things I think that happened is that your noticing Lili's background a bit more. What she was doing priory, and why she deals with nobles. Some of her love of knowledge as well, comes into play - you discover her prior job was a treasure hunter! - not really a noble profession but it explains why she has been on the road a lot and what she was doing, and why she doesn't really care for nobles (Kind of - gives you a rough idea anyway - character growth - you'll find out more during later chapters.)

We also figured out what House Lilianna is in! -Who saw that she would ask to join the Black Eagles?!- O.o

Rhea is already asking the group to tackle a growing problem with some demonic beasts in the area - so you can expect some action incoming.

Oh - and you also might notice that Navan being the older mech type - he is was up at the crack of dawn and is using the down time to train Lilianna in axes. She is already a skilled faith magic user, and she has some knowledge of axes, which is enough to get Felix's attention and he is asking for a duel. I wonder how that is going to turn out...or how long Lili can put it off? (As you can see Lili isn't really a morning person by choice, but rather by habit.)

Anyway - theres a lot to unpack here so I am hoping you enjoy it! See you soon!