"Exactly how much farther must we traverse?" Hubert's irritated voice called out. "I can't say I feel at ease with Lady Edelgard being so far from the monastery."
"Only a few more minutes," Jeralt carried a bag over his shoulder. "Relax, will ya?"
"Hmph."
"Well put, Captain!" Alois' unique and upbeat voice roared, "It's a day meant for relaxation and fun!"
Byleth dared not to interrupt the conversation. His arms were full with rods and boxes that contained Jeralt's favorite bait. It reminded him of the many times his father would sneak away from their mercenary camp when he was a child.
Forget what they tell you. When we're out here, you only focus on the water and the fish. Nothing else matters.
His voice echoed in Byleth's mind. Their trips to the ponds usually came after Byleth had been called some name by either a villager or even a fellow mercenary.
He doesn't even get scared! Look at him, no emotion, even now! Can he even smile?
He struggled to clear his thoughts. It was Jeralt's rule.
Edelgard kept in step next to him, "Are you sure I can't carry anything?"
Byleth shook his head. He was used to it.
"I must admit," Jeralt interjected, "I'm a little surprised you two agreed to come along."
"I did not agree," Hubert immediately quipped. "I am only accompanying Her Highness."
Edelgard clicked her tongue, "I could not pass up such a tempting opportunity. My teacher promised a valuable lesson, indeed."
Byleth could feel her eyes rest on him, perhaps expecting a reply. He kept his eyes on the road before them.
"Teacher," Jeralt groaned, "I can't say that I'll ever get used to my kid being called that."
"I think you fail to recognize what a stellar young man your boy grew to be!" It seemed Alois had one setting for his tone. Everything he said stemmed from excitement, "A spitting image, I tell you!"
"And a fine teacher," Edelgard added.
"Time has yet to tell," Hubert coldly replied.
Byleth kept his gaze forward, he was not used to the compliments Alois and Edelgard threw out so casually. These descriptions did not fit him.
"Ah," Jeralt sighed in relief, "There it is."
Byleth lifted his eyes to see the glimmer of a still pond not far from where they currently walked.
"It's beautiful," her voice trailed off.
"Yes!" Alois exclaimed, "I come here often and reminisce of the days Captain Jeralt fought beside me at the monastery! So many years ago…" Byleth was surprised at the fondness of his words, "But now that he's back, I suspect we'll be coming more often!"
"Of course we will, Alois," Jeralt assured him as they neared the pond.
"Watch your step," Byleth told Edelgard as they veered off the worn trail. She looked to the ground and navigated between the rocks hidden by the taller grass.
It was a short distance before they reached the water's edge.
Jeralt put his cargo on the ground and placed both hands on his lower back, stretching backward. "This looks as good a spot as any."
Byleth followed and placed the bait boxes on the dirt, a few meters from where Jeralt had settled. Edelgard was quick to take her place by his side.
He noticed that since their encounter a few nights ago with Ingrid, that Edelgard appeared to take comfort in closing the distance between them. Byleth truly doubted it was because she feared for her safety. She was more capable than she let on.
Byleth took one of the rods and began to string the fishing line through the guides before finally tying it to a small hook. He tightened the knot once more, ensuring it wouldn't come loose before securing the hook on one of the guides.
He extended his arm, offering the prepared rod to Edelgard.
Her eyes scanned the rod with hesitation, "I must admit, I feel a little out of my element."
"It's ok," Byleth assured her. "Just hold it for now while I get the bait."
"You taught him well!" Alois exclaimed, "He prepared that rod in record time!"
Edelgard took the rod in her hand and held it as Byleth knelt in front of the bait box and retrieved a single worm.
"Alois," Jeralt sighed, "Do try to keep your voice down, will ya? You'll scare the fish."
Byleth couldn't help but grin slightly. He had his reservations about fishing with Alois, only because his booming voice wasn't the most helpful.
"Well said," Hubert stated coolly. He stood behind them, clearly not interested in participating.
Byleth took the hook of Edelgard's rod and expertly threaded the worm.
He heard a soft plop and turned his head to see Jeralt had already cast his line into the water.
"You'll want to hold this fishing line with your left hand," He explained, "And then swing the rod over your head. Much like you'd throw an axe, but instead of throwing the rod, just release the fishing line when you'd normally release your weapon."
He purposely used an analogy he knew would be familiar to Edelgard. She was deadly with her axe, there was no doubt. Byleth hoped tying the two together would help her feel more… in her element.
Edelgard nodded, "I can do that." Her voice was more confident than before. She brought her eyes up to look at Byleth's face. He could feel the expectancy of him to do the same. He pretended to fidget with the worm on her hook further. Though, in truth, it was perfectly ready to be cast.
"Thank you, my teacher," she continued, perhaps trying to coax his eyes to meet hers, "For inviting me."
"Of course," he replied. He turned his head to the water and extended his arm, pointing a short distance into the water, "That's where you'll want to aim."
She did as she was instructed, lifting the rod above her head. She bit her lower lip as she swung the rod over her and released the fishing line. It took a second, maybe two, before she was rewarded with a soft plop as her hook landed in the water.
"That was…" Edelgard's voice dropped in disappointment, "Not as far as expected."
"It's ok," Byleth replied softly, "If Alois keeps yelling, all the fish will come this way."
Edelgard couldn't help but chuckle softly. She was unsure if Byleth was being serious or if it was his attempt at dry humor. Either way, it was amusing, "I assume I simply yank the rod upward when I feel it tug?"
Byleth nodded, "then you'll reel it in."
"What exactly is the lesson here?" Hubert chimed in as he stood with his arms crossed.
"Patience," he replied, "the ability to clear your mind."
"I think Lady Edelgard possesses more than enough patience," his tone seemed to hint at something more.
"Hubert," Edelgard sighed, "Please do try to indulge me, at least for today."
He paused, then a hint of resignation in his voice, "Very well."
"When we're out on the pond," Byleth began, ignoring Hubert's clear irritation, "There's an unwritten rule."
"Unwritten rule?" Edelgard inquired, "I was not aware that there were rules to fishing."
He nodded, "you're only to focus on the water and the fish. Nothing else matters."
In the corner of his eye, he could see Jeralt grin as he lowered his head. But he did not interject.
"No negative thoughts," Byleth continued, "No fear."
Edelgard paused. He could see her lower her brows.
"No negative thoughts," Byleth interrupted her thoughts, as if he could sense her inner turmoil.
She nodded dutifully as she tightened her grip on the fishing rod.
For several minutes, he watched as Edelgard took several deep breaths, clearly attempting to fight whatever thoughts tried to creep their way into her mind.
"Are you not going to cast your rod?" She broke her silence.
Byleth shook his head as he ran his eyes across the pond, watching the gentle push and pull of the ripples that collided with one another, "I'm fine."
The tip of her rod yanked downward. He could see her visibly tighten her muscles.
"Oh!" She exclaimed. The franticness in her tone made her voice quiver, "D-do I pull the rod now?"
Byleth shook his head as he turned his body, ready to assist her if needed. "Wait for another one, to make sure-"
Her rod bent once more.
"Now," He cooly stated.
Without delay, she pulled her rod toward her body with all of her might, nearly stumbling backward. Byleth placed a hand on her back, near her shoulder, to steady her balance.
"It looks like Her Highness has the honor of the first catch of the day!" Alois couldn't contain his excitement.
"I think you hooked it," Byleth kept his calm tone, desperate not to add to her hectic thoughts, "Start to reel it in, if it seems too tight, stop reeling."
"O-okay!" Edelgard's eyes darted as her hand stumbled over the reel handle. She cranked it a few times as her fishing line darted a few meters to the left.
"It looks like a fighter," Jeralt called with amusement in his voice.
She continued to turn the handle of her reel as her focus grew more intense.
"Does the tension seem too high?" Byleth queried.
She shook her head, never averting her gaze from the spot the fishing line met the water.
"Good," he continued, "If it does, don't reel or the line could break and it'll get away."
"There will be no escape," Edelgard's voice grew serious. Byleth couldn't help but widen his eyes. It seemed she had likened her catch to the battlefield.
Her stance grew more steady as she continued to reel. A splash.
"You're getting close now," Byleth continued. "It's breaching the surface. It'll start to fight harder now."
"A formidable foe, indeed," Edelgard pulled her rod to the side as her knuckles turned white from her grip, "Prepare yourself for death while you can."
Byleth was certain her comments were unintentional, but he was happy that she had heeded his words. Were she not so focused on the fish that fought against her rod, she would not be so vocal with her comments in the presence of her professor or the two knights that watched in amusement.
He could see the fish now, its flops growing weaker in the shallow waters. It was then he could tell that it was not particularly large, a dozen and a half centimeters, or so.
Her rod flexibly bent at the weight of the fish. Edelgard pulled the rod closer to her chest as the fish lifted out of the water.
Edelgard's eyes beamed with pride as she scanned her catch, hook to tail, "Victory!"
Byleth couldn't contain it any longer. He released an unhindered chuckle. His laugh echoed across the pond as it was met with silence.
He suddenly felt self-conscious as he felt all eyes rest on him. Byleth could feel the heat rise in his face as he reached to grasp the line to pull the fish closer to him. He didn't dare raise his eyes to meet any of theirs. He only wished to unhook the fish so that he may begin to gut it.
"My teacher," Edelgard began softly, "Was that a laugh?" She seemed less focused on her prize than before. Instead her eyes searched his face. Perhaps searching for another hint of his hidden humor.
Byleth gripped the fish with his left hand as he deftly pulled the hook from his cheek. "Is that.." he trailed off, trying to find his words. Finally, he raised his eyes and met hers. They were light violet, which he already knew. But somehow, in this moment, they seemed more intense as they glistened with excitement, "Is that so odd?" Byleth finally finished.
Edelgard grinned, each passing moment it widened, almost reaching her eyes. She opened her mouth to speak.
"There you are!" A voice huffed a short distance away.
Byleth turned his head to see a young boy running toward them. Cyril.
"Professor," Cyril's pace slowed as he tried to catch his breath, "Lady… Lady Rhea wishes to see you immediately."
His heart sank. He knew what this meant.
Byleth let out a hearty sigh as he dropped his eyes to the ground, trying to regain his composure. "Would you come with me, Edelgard?"
"Of-of course," she replied, "Though I'm not sure Lady Rhea will expect me to accompany you."
"You are the house leader," Byleth coolly stated. "It matters not what she expects. I wish you to be there when we receive our next mission."
Byleth handed Edelgard's catch to Alois. His stomach turned and ached.
But why? He had crossed blades hundreds, if not thousands, of times. Somehow, this time seemed different.
Edelgard lifted her chin as they approached Rhea and Seteth, not wanting to appear weak in front of either.
Byleth came to an abrupt stop and offered a bow. Edelgard followed suit. There was no reason to show hostilities, not yet.
"Professor," Lady Rhea began softly, "I've already heard tremendous things about you."
"Oh? Byleth inquired, though Edelgard noted his insincerity. She knew he was not one to bask in compliments.
"A student has already requested a transfer to your class," Lady Rhea continued. Her false gentleness made Edelgard clench her jaw, "Which I have already approved. It seems your teaching style has earned the attraction of our most earnest students."
Attraction? Somehow, this word caught Edelgard's attention.
"Indeed," Seteth added, "So expectations are high for your next assignment. Lord Lonato is a minor lord within the Kingdom. He has been showing hostilities toward the church for some time now."
That makes two of us, Edelgard thought to herself.
"His army pales in comparison to the Knights of Seiros. It's quite possible the rebellion has already been suppressed."
"Even so," Lady Rhea added, "I would like your class to travel with the knights' rear guard to deal with the aftermath."
"If Lord Lonato still lives, he must be made an example of," Seteth's indifferent tone made Edelgard uneasy.
"Very well," Byleth simply replied. She noted he seemed to detach himself from his emotions. Instead, his replies were melancholy and mechanical.
With another bow, Byleth turned on his heel and made his way toward the exit. His movements were so quick that Edelgard struggled to keep up.
She could see a few knights standing on the opposite side of the grand double doors, apparently waiting to greet them.
Thunder Catherine. Edelgard recognized her immediately. After all, she had studied the legendary knight's feats to a great extent.
Know thy enemy.
"Professor," Catherine's voice bellowed in the hallway, "I hear you're making quite a name for yourself around here!"
"So I've heard," Byleth replied.
"Lady Edelgard," Catherine nodded in her direction, which Edelgard returned. "I suppose you'll be coming with us for cleanup duty."
"We should still be on our guard," a dark-haired woman interjected. A familiar face, but Edelgard couldn't recall a name. "I'm Shamir, I don't believe we've met, professor."
Byleth offered her a friendly nod, but remained silent.
Was something bothering him? She wondered what could have changed so drastically since their fishing expedition.
Edelgard recalled his unexpected laugh. It was such a foreign sound that caught her off-guard, but a pleasurable experience, indeed.
And his eyes.
She could feel her chest tighten at the memory. His piercing blue eyes stared into hers, even if only for a second or two. The moment had surpassed her highest hopes.
"I don't know what you mean, Shamir," Catherine interrupted her thoughts. "We're always on our guard, but I doubt there will be much to do. I almost feel sorry for the professor, he'll be bored out of his mind!"
"Still," Shamir kept her responses short and rigid.
"Ryler's preparing the troops, so you'll meet him soon," Catherine ignored Shamir's word of caution.
"Ryler?" Edelgard felt a sudden and intense chill, "I hadn't realized he had returned to the monastery."
"He hasn't been back long," Shamir answered. "But he was eager to wet his blade again."
"We should probably go help with preparations," Catherine threw her hands into the air. It seemed mundane tasks didn't appeal to her, "We'll meet you outside of the gates."
"My class will be there shortly," Byleth nodded as he watched the two knights descend the stairs.
"My teacher," Edelgard lowered her voice, eager for the opportunity to learn what troubled him. "Is something bothering you?"
Byleth sighed and lowered his head, "a lot, actually."
His response caught Edelgard off-guard. She had expected his usual "I'm fine" or even "nothing."
"But nothing you need to concern yourself with," he finished. "What can you tell me about Ryler?"
Edelgard searched through her memories. There was a lot to the legend if she hadn't meant the man himself.
"I've overheard stories my father would tell other mercenaries about a 'Ryler'," Byleth explained. "None of the tales were… positive."
She nodded, "his fabled fighting skill is only matched by his ruthless brutality. Or so I've heard."
Ruthless brutality. Somehow, it seemed ironic for her to be using those words to describe another. After all, it was she that was ruthless. It was she that learned her goals must be achieved at any cost, even at the lives of her friends.
"I suspected as much," Byleth's eyes seemed to depress, his complexion turned paler, "And Lord Lonato. I've heard the name before. He's Ashe's adoptive father, is he not?"
"I'm impressed," Edelgard kept her voice low, lest they be overheard, "You know much about those that you don't even teach."
"Would Lady Rhea have informed Ashe of the pending assignment?"
"Unlikely," she shook her head. "Though I'm sure word will reach him if it hasn't already."
"It isn't right," Byleth snapped, "He shouldn't have to hear about this through a gossip vine."
"Agreed," Edelgard suddenly felt an overwhelming admiration for her teacher. Though she wished to peer into his blue eyes as she let the feeling wash over her.
"Gather the class in the homeroom, including Leonie," He continued. "I'll fetch Ashe and have him meet us there. It's only right he hears it from someone that will be there when Lonato meets his end, if he hasn't already."
She nodded solemnly, "Yes, my teacher."