I have another chapter done after this one. Trying to decide if I should post it today or leave y'all to wait until tomorrow :D

"Well, your instincts aren't going soft being around all these nobles," Shamir approached Byleth in the marketplace.

His students waited for him just outside of the gates to Garreg Mach.

"What'd you find?" Byleth queried.

"I managed my way into Lysithea's room last night," Shamir explained. "It was pretty muffled but I could make out some of what they were saying."

"Surely it wasn't loud enough for Lysithea to hear…" Byleth's chest tightened at the thought of endangering another student.

Shamir shook her head, "no, trained ears only. Yours or mine. That new girl, the red-head, sounds like she wants your head. I couldn't hear everything, though."

"Why mine?" Byleth's mind was racing.

"The Sword of the Creator," Shamir shrugged. "Maybe you killed her father or brother in another life. Take your pick."

It was true that as mercenaries, Shamir had probably seen as many revenge attacks as he had. But this went deeper, "this isn't a regular personal vendetta. You saw her in Jeritza's dungeon. A year and not even malnourished."

"I'm with you," Shamir blinked several times. "I would've left her down there. If it's any consolation, that Hubert kid, the scary one, sounded like he was listing reasons to keep you alive."

"Hubert?" Byleth lifted his brow. It was certainly the last thing he expected from him. Though, it was him that gave him the vague warning in the first place.

"You know he'll do whatever your princess says," she offered her reasoning.

"Are you sure you're up for this?" Byleth already had this conversation with her once, but he needed to hear it again, "something extremely dangerous is going on. If you're not-"

"I told you already, I'm not leaving you to deal with this by yourself," Shamir averted her eyes. "You need an experienced bodyguard."

"Bodyguard?" Byleth let out a laugh. "You think that I need a bodyguard?"

"Why are you laughing?" She remained unphased. "You think I'd let anything happen to you after fighting side-by-side for so long?"

Byleth smiled, one that she did not return, "you're a good friend, Shamir."

She rolled her eyes and turned her head, "I guess the nobles have made you soft. Now I'm just embarrassed. Are you coming or not?"

Byleth pulled a small piece of chalk from his breast pocket. He kept it next to the parchment Edelgard had given him for his birthday, "I'll be out in a minute."

"Fine, guess I'll go prep the students by myself," Shamir turned toward the massive gates.

"I know I don't need to tell you this," Byleth pulled his black eagle blade from its holster. "But be careful and keep an eye on-"

"You don't have to tell me twice," Shamir didn't look back at him. "Don't even have to tell me once."

He laid the blade on a crate that stood near one of the marketplace kiosks. Byleth pressed the chalk against the black steel and began writing. Four small, simple words, yet they could mean the difference between life and death. When he was done, he blew away the white dust and rubbed his finger against the words. The writing wouldn't withstand much, so he would need to be careful and not use the blade any time soon.

Byleth returned the knife to its holster and the chalk to his pocket and made his way to the exit.

He despised games, but it seemed Monica was intent on playing . Tomas would have to wait. Monica was a closer threat to his students and to Edelgard than the old librarian, though he knew there must be some connection between the two.

Byleth also knew he couldn't go to Lady Rhea with this information. It would not only be an unproven claim and incredibly hard to believe, but exposing her could very well cause her to act. Until he knew what her ultimate goal was, he preferred her to stay stationary.

"Professor," Dorothea was still huffing from her morning run. "Why did you leave us behind?"

"Had to discuss new team assignments with Shamir," Byleth had joined them for their early morning run, but he ran his laps in record time in order to meet with the knight while his students finished.

"New team assignments?" Caspar had his hands on his knees as he knelt over, desperate to catch his breath.

"Our class is growing," Byleth nodded toward their two new students. "With Monica and Flayn joining the Black Eagles, it's a bit inefficient to have such small groups litter the battlefield. Plus an extra pair of eyes watching your back never hurt."

"A rational plan," Edelgard huffed.

Her words took him by surprise. It was the most she had said to him since they fought the Death Knight.

"And, as of today, Shamir's going to be helping out full time with the class."

"Alright!" Leonie threw her hand into the air. "With two mercenaries, we're gonna be unbeatable!"

"Yeah!" Caspar exclaimed, he and Leonie walked toward each other, each with their hand in the air.

"Stop… whatever that is," Shamir rubbed her brow to cover her face.

They gave each other high fives regardless.

"Since you two have… that going on," Byleth was unsure what he'd call their newly formed bond, "you stand over there. Annette, you can join them."

The three separated themselves from the rest of the class.

"Are we a team, professor?" Caspar raised his hand as if he were asking a question during a lecture.

Byleth nodded as his eyes skimmed the remaining students.

"Yes!" Leonie hopped into the air, "we should absolutely give ourselves a name."

"Like 'The Doers!'" Annette's excitement matched that of her new teammates. "Or maybe 'The Best Team Ever!"

"I was thinking more like 'The Killer Eagles'," Caspar flapped his arms as he mimicked an eagle.

Byleth immediately regretted his decision, but he continued on regardless, "Flayn, being our youngest student, I want you with some heavy hitters."

"Yes, professor?" Flayn held her hands together in anticipation.

Byleth continued, "Ferdinand and Ingrid, you can join Flayn."

Ingrid put her arm across her chest and gave him a bow, "yes, professor."

"You can count on us to protect her," Ferdinand glowed at being called a 'heavy hitter.'

"Edelgard and Hubert, you're pretty much inseparable, so what do you say to a little extra magic power to compliment Hubert?" He continued down the list of his remaining students.

"As you wish," Hubert did not move.

"Dorothea, go ahead and join them."

"Oh, Edie! I hope you're as good of a dancer as Petra!" Dorothea practically skipped to take her place next to Edelgard.

"I-I consider myself decent," Edelgard furrowed her brow. "When it comes to The Dance of Water, of course."

"Don't you worry, we'll be doing plenty of dancing together," Dorothea gave her a wink.

"Bernadetta and Lindhardt, you're both distance fighters, so you'll need someone quick to cover both of you," Byleth nodded at Petra.

"I don't imagine I'll be moving much," Lindhardt yawned. "These morning runs wear me down terribly."

"I'm sure Petra can help you change that," Byleth smirked.

With a large smile and a bow to her new teammates, Petra beamed, "I am glad to being on your team- no, that is not right. To be on your team."

"Oh, professor?" An innocent voice called out.

Byleth knew what was coming next.

"Don't worry, Monica, I haven't forgotten about you," he feigned a gentle smile. "Shamir and I thought with the ordeal you've been through the past year, that you could use a little extra backup. So you'll be with her and I."

"Oooh," Monica skipped toward him. "Does that mean I'm the professor's favorite?"

"It means you'll get double the training, yes," Byleth nodded, never letting his smile fade from his face. "And once you're up to speed, with your double daggers you'll round out our strengths nicely."

"If it means that I don't have to chase the professor across the battlefield anymore," Caspar shrugged. "Then I'm all for it."

"Alright," Byleth ignored Caspar's quip. "A member from each team, untie your weighted running staves and bring it back here."

"And these," Shamir pulled several strands of cloth from her coat pocket, "are for you as well."

"One blindfold per team," Byleth elaborated.

"How exciting!" Flayn exclaimed. "I've never participated in such an activity before!"

As instructed, one member from each group ran toward where they all dropped their weighted quarterstaves.

It didn't take long before they had re-congregated. One member held a quarterstaff while another a blindfold.

"Now just because we may have changed teammates," Byleth held his finger up to accentuate his point, "does not mean the rules have changed. Your teammates are your everything. You watch each other's backs and protect each other. It doesn't matter who you get paired with, we are all Black Eagles, are we not?"

"Black eagles!"

"Black eagles!" Leonie and Caspar yelled in unison.

There was one among them that was, in fact, not a Black Eagle. And Byleth had every intention to see what she was capable of.

"Give one member of your team the quarterstaff and the blindfold," he instructed. "Monica, can you help me demonstrate?"

She shot him a mischievous smile, "I don't usually like being blindfolded on the first date. But for you, professor, anything."

He heard a scoff from Edelgard's team, but couldn't tell if it was from her or Dorothea. It certainly wasn't Hubert.

Byleth gently wrapped the cloth around her eyes and loosely tied it behind her head, "lift your hands." She did as she was told and Byleth gingerly placed the quarterstaff in her hand and took several steps back.

"Okay, now the other two team members will attempt to touch the blindfolded student with their hands. Shamir, if you don't mind."

Shamir's stance changed. Her knees bent as she lowered herself to the ground. She placed one foot beside the other as she circled the blindfolded Monica.

"Blindfolded students, if you hear your teammate's approach," Byleth watched as Shamir approached Monica from the front and slowly extended her arm. A bold move, usually the sides or the back were favored among mercenaries. "Use your quarterstaff to try and parry their contact."

Shamir touched Monica's arm. The girl jumped and swung her quarterstaff in front of her, but Shamir had backed up long before that.

The teams put distance between themselves to give them more room in which to work.

Byleth approached Shamir and Monica. He peered at his surroundings to see his students dutifully following his instructions. Caspar and Leonie made Annette go first, the poor girl. He knew those two could be overzealous, especially when put together.

Dorothea was also blindfolded first. He watched as she awkwardly held her quarterstaff and moved her head as she tried to listen for any movement.

Then Edelgard's eyes caught his attention. She stared directly at him, with the smallest of grins upon her face. He gave her a nod. Byleth knew they could not say much, but that moment was enough for him. He believed with all of his heart that whatever was happening in the monastery that Edelgard was not involved, or at least, voluntarily involved.

He returned his gaze to Monica. Shamir was already circling her and he joined in. He studied her movements. She appeared to be awkwardly holding the quarterstaff as Dorothea was, but somehow, he knew this to be a facade.

Byleth exchanged glances with the knight as he flung his arm forward silently. Monica turned her head in his direction but did not swing her staff. Shamir lifted a single brow.

His motion did not stir any noise, at least none that a normal student would hear. At best, it would've sent the slightest bit of wind in her direction. Yet her head turned.

Shamir circled her opposite side. Her footsteps were as light as a feather. If Byleth had not been trained all his life, he wouldn't have heard them.

But a twitch. Monica's shoulder jerked. Her motion was barely noticeable but Byleth had seen it as clear as day, and judging by the look in Shamir's eyes, so had she.

Monica knew exactly where they were, but she restrained herself from swinging her quarterstaff. Perhaps, in an attempt to feign inexperience.

Byleth extended his leg and stepped heavier. This time, Monica clumsily threw her quarterstaff forward.

"You almost got me," Byleth lightened his tone. "You're doing well."

Shamir swiped her fingers across her eyes and then dug her pointer finger into her own chest. Byleth shook his head, and swiped his hand across his eyes and pointed at himself. She acknowledged his signals with a thumbs up.

"Since you knew where I was," Byleth sighed in defeat. "I guess I'm next."

"Did I really? Monica's smile grew as she used her thumb to lift her blindfold.

Byleth nodded, "do as Shamir does and aim to be as quiet as her."

Monica handed over the quarterstaff and length of cloth as she stood next to the knight.

Byleth held the staff steady between his legs as he tied the blindfold around his eyes. Once it was secure and he could not see any shadows through the cloth, he gripped the quarterstaff tightly in his hands.

"Our turn to switch! My turn!" Leonie excitedly volunteered.

He heard the shuffling of many of his students switching places. Byleth slowly moved his right leg in a circular motion to pivot his body. He tried to drown out the noises from his students and only focus on Monica.

Byleth heard her steps easily, but they were another facade. She put more density into her steps than necessary for someone of her weight. He thrusted his quarterstaff forward, stopping just short of where he knew Monica was.

Being their professor, he couldn't afford to play stupid when it came to his ability or she would surely catch on.

"Aww," she moaned. "Does that mean I have to go again?"

"You're new, Monica," Byleth snapped his staff back into his hands. "Let's keep going, at least it'll get you more practice in moving stealthier. Just try to be quieter each time."

"Ouch!" Someone must have smacked Dorothea with their staff.

Again, Byleth tried to clear his mind and to focus on one set of footsteps in particular. This time, Monica's steps were only a bit lighter, but still heavier than he knew she was capable of. She still sounded like she weighed as much as Hubert.

He felt a breeze on the back of his neck and spun his body, he brought his quarterstaff up but it made no contact. He knew it was Shamir, but he had to act the part of parrying them both.

Byleth immediately swung his body and pointed his quarterstaff at his newest 'student.' "There you are, Monica."

"Owww!" Dorothea must have been detected again.

"Shoot!" She sighed, "did I at least do better this time?"

"You did," Byleth lied. "With more practice, I imagine this parry will become a lot harder."

That part wasn't a lie. He knew if Monica were to drop the act and display her true skills, she could be quite a formidable foe.

"That wasn't a coincidence, Hubert," Edelgard stood in her room. With Monica lurking about, she had become quite anxious in leaving her room. "You saw the way he was analyzing her."

"I agree it wasn't a coincidence," Hubert nodded. "Pairing himself with her when he could have easily unevened the teams. I did say he was quite the keen specimen."

The glimmer of hope that fluttered in her chest was stronger than before. "And he even smiled at me…" Edelgard replayed that moment in her head as she felt her heart quicken, "whatever suspicions he has of Monica, I do not believe he's transferred that to me."

"I agree," he nodded once again. "He's smarter than I took him for."

"That's not true," Edelgard scrunched her face. "You were the one telling me I wasn't giving him enough credit."

"Hmph."

Since 'Monica' had joined their class. All hopes of her breaking free from Those Who Slither in the Dark had all but dissipated. For the first time since, she began to feel optimistic.

Not just optimistic about rewriting her destiny. But her teacher took it upon himself to separate her from the danger he perceived. He still wished to protect her.

"We need a safe place to meet the professor," Hubert interrupted her thoughts. "So that you may divulge everything. And somehow, safely get a message to him instructing him to meet us there."

"The Battle of the Eagle and Lion," Edelgard blurted out. "With the chaos of the mock battle, perhaps we can tell him where to meet us."

"It's possible," Hubert lifted a finger to his lips. "Especially since he's excused Flayn and Monica from participating under the guise of not endangering their recovery. But we still need a safe place to speak freely."

"Let's focus on letting him know that we need to speak," Edelgard plopped down onto her bed. "If he's aware, he may very well find a place for us. But Hubert, I think I need to go alone."

"Lady Edelgard?" Hubert lifted his brow. "If your revelation does not go as you expect…"

"It will be fine," Edelgard swallowed hard. She did not like to think about what would happen if he deemed her a monster. If he couldn't understand her desire to be free from Those Who Slither in the Dark…. "Someone will need to stand guard at the stairwell leading to my quarters. If Monica can not pass the stairwell, she wouldn't teleport out in the open to find that I'm not in my room."

"As you wish," Hubert gave her a formal bow.

The Battle of the Eagle and Lion was but two days away, and they were all meant to start marching to Gronder Field tomorrow.

"Edelgard?" A small voice called from the other side of her door.

"Were you expecting company?" Hubert snapped his head to face her.

"It sounds like Lysithea," Edelgard lowered her brow. "Come in."

The door gently opened to reveal a young, white-haired girl, "am I interrupting?"

Edelgard smiled and shook her head, "not at all. Hubert, we may speak another time."

"Yes, Lady Edelgard," with a swift bow, Hubert passed the small girl and exited her room.

Lysithea edged her way in.

Edelgard did not know much about the girl, she had to be honest, with all the events that had occurred, she did not socialize often outside of the Black Eagles.

But she did know that Lysithea bore striking white hair, the same as her.

"Would you like some cake?" Edelgard lifted herself off the bed and to her desk.

"Yes, please," Lysithea's voice seemed to perk up. "I never say no to sweets!"

Edelgard opened her drawer, and pushed aside the portraits she had been working on, "it sounds like you and Annette were destined to be friends."

She retrieved a small package and began to unwrap it, "they're from Enbarr, a bit too sweet for my liking."

"Isn't that the whole point of cake?" Lysithea scoffed as Edelgard handed her a neat square. She took a large bite, "Mmm. Well, the more for me."

Edegard sat at her desk with a grin. She had often found that when dealing with those younger than herself, cake was an excellent icebreaker, "Now, what is it you wished to speak with me about?"

"Well," crumbs flew from the girl's mouth. "I can tell that you know a fair bit about me." Despite clearly having something important to discuss, Lysithea did not pause to finish her bites.

"Perhaps, this can wait until you finish eating?" Edelgard feared she might choke.

Lysithea swallowed hard and wiped the crumbs from her mouth with her sleeve, "you… do know a fair bit about me, don't you?"

"What in particular do you mean?" Edelgard lowered her brow.

Lysithea lowered herself to the edge of her bed, "for example, the fact that I bear two crests."

"Oh?" Edelgard could feel her stomach flipping over itself. She had suspected as much, but why would Lysithea come to her with this information? "That's… hard to believe."

"No need to play coy with me," Lysithea shook her head and scrunched her brow. "It's clear my body has succumbed to the intense pressure of bearing two crests. Due to the immense requirements of my two crests, my life expectancy… is painfully short. You do know this, don't you?"

Edelgard blinked several times. She had known that her own ordeals had affected her own body quite a bit and her outlook was… not ideal, either. However, Lysithea was a fair amount younger than herself, the mages that experimented on her must not have had the experience that her uncle did. "Actually, this is the first I'm hearing of it… how would I know unless you told me?"

"I'm not really in the mood for these games," Lysithea frowned. "Given your rank, you certainly have access to all kinds of information that others do not. Clearly, you've heard all about me."

That was not a question. Lysithea was extremely persistent.

"Either way…" Edelgard pondered her words carefully. She did not need any information or records to know what this girl had been through. "I know now since you've told me. But, according to the principles of crest research, it's impossible for one to bear two crests. Unless… you've undergone blood reconstruction therapy. Is that the case?"

"Correct," Lysithea dropped her head. "It wasn't as if I had a say in any of this."

"I see," Edelgard let loose a long sigh. She couldn't dwell on her own memories or she feared she would no longer be able to maintain her collected exterior. "So you went through all that terror and agony, and survived. That is quite a feat."

"Edelgard," Lysithea raised her gaze to meet hers. "You speak as if you have some personal experience. Was your hair… always that color?"

"Mine?" Edelgard softly chuckled. "It has certainly lightened with age."

Lysithea eyed her carefully, "if you insist. Anyhow, I've been considering switching classes as of late, but…"

Edelgard lifted her brow. It seemed her teacher had caught another's attention. "But what, Lysithea?"

"I heard your class was the most physically intensive in all the monastery," Lysithea began swinging her legs over the edge of Edelgard's bed. "I want to push myself all that I can with the time I have left, I only fear my physical frailty would be on display for all to witness."

"My teacher has a…" Edelgard raised her finger to her chin. "An almost unnatural ability to read his students. He would most certainly be aware of your limitations, if he isn't already."

"I figured as much," Lysithea grumbled.

"He would push you as far as you could go," Edelgard continued. "Safely, I might add."

Lysithea nodded as her eyes darted across the floor, "okay, I think I've made up my mind, then. Perhaps, after the Battle of the Eagle and Lion."

"As you wish," Edelgard smiled. "Now, if you like those cakes, why don't you take some with you?"

"You don't have to pander to me," the girl frowned. "But yes, I'll take some. Thank you."