It was early afternoon when Shamir pulled up to the tavern located a bit down the road from the Monastery. Though her face showed little sign of urgency, the way she'd pushed her horse to make haste made it clear that she was in a hurry to get somewhere—or to someone—as soon as possible. After nearly running over an aloof couple, Shamir didn't even acknowledge them as she dismounted and hitched her horse, ignoring their curses to watch where she was going.

Opening the door to the tavern, her violet eyes swept over the almost empty bar before catching a glimpse of familiar blonde hair in the far corner of the room. Upon locating her target, Shamir quickly strode over to the sleeping knight, whose hand still gripped an empty bottle of ale.

"Wake up," the ex-mercenary said simply as she crossed her arms, but Catherine made no indication of having heard the order. Instead, a loud snore could be heard from the captain as she lay peacefully over the wooden table. However, that peacefulness was soon rudely interrupted as Shamir looked over at a pale of water from a nearby table, grabbed it, and dumped all of its contents onto the unsuspecting knight's head.

Catherine sputtered and jolted awake as the cold liquid roused her from her slumber. She blinked rapidly, wiping her face with a hand, and glared up at Shamir with bleary eyes.

"What in the- Shamir?" She growled, her voice heavy with sleep and irritation. "What was that for?"

Shamir calmly set the empty jar back on the table before answering, "Because it was the only way to make sure you're up- and that I have your undivided attention."

Catherine cringed before letting out a groan and buried her face in one hand. "Yeah, well, it worked. What do you want?"

"You're needed back at the monastery." Shamir told her companion, unfazed by the hangover plaguing her companion.

The captain of the Knights shook her head miserably. "I'm off duty, Shamir, unless you've got a direct order from Lady Rhea, then I couldn't less of a-"

"As a matter of fact," The younger woman interrupted as she pulled a sealed order from her pocket. "I do."

Catherine suddenly raised her head and stared at the document for a short moment before reaching out and snatching it. "What is this about?"

"Read for yourself."

Catherine broke the seal and unfolded the document, her eyes scanning the contents quickly. As she read, her expression shifted from confusion to urgency. "Damn it," she muttered under her breath, attempting to jump hurriedly to her feet. However, she quickly lost her footing and she nearly fell flat on her face before grabbing the table for support, causing the empty bottle of ale to fall to the floor and shattered.

Shamir moved in quickly, wrapping an arm under Catherine's shoulders to steady her. "Easy there," she said, her voice firm but gentle. "You're still not fully steady. Take a moment."

Catherine clenched her jaw in frustration, leaning heavily on Shamir for support. "I'm fine," she insisted, though her wobbling legs told a different story. "We need to hurry back."

"Not like this, you're not. You won't be of any use if you can't even stand. Let's get you some water first."

"Why, so you can waterboard me again?"

"Tempting, but no. Here," Shamir grabs another pale of water for her. "Drink this."

"Fine," she grumbled as she was guided back onto the chair. After being handed the water, Catering threw her head back and began to gulp down. After finishing the drink, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and looked at Shamir. "How did you know I was here, anyway?"

"Well," Shamir began. "At first, you stopped coming to the pub with the rest of the garrison back at the monastery. The second was simply asking the gatekeeper which way he saw you go during the day when you're off duty."

Catherine gazed up at her partner. "You've been keeping tabs on me?"

Shamir shrugged. "Only when you started acting out of character. You've seemed to be in a bad mood these last three weeks, and from what I know about you, when you're in a bad mood, you tend to drink alone. So it only made sense that I'd find you here."

Catherine sighed, and pursed her lips, shaking her head once more. "I suppose you're right. It really has been a rough few weeks."

There was a pregnant pause before Shamir asked, "You want to talk about?"

The blonde huffed, seemingly surprised by the question. "Since when did counseling become an interest to you? I thought you never liked to get involved in someone's personal problems."

"I'm not as cold and heartless as I make myself out to be." The comet-haired woman sat across from her. "Also, I get that the sword was important to you, but I thought you of all people understood that a relic isn't what makes a good soldier."

"It was never about losing Thunderbrand." Catherine snapped, before lowering her voice again. "...Actually, just forget it."

Unfortunately for her, Shamir had no intention of doing so. "Is this about that boy?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Yes, you do." Shamir said patiently. "That same kid who'd challenged you to execute him alongside Lonato? Is he not the reason you are now wallowing in your self-pity?"

Catherine was silent for a long moment as she swished around what water was left in the pale. "Sort of. At first, I was content with burying an old wound by putting an old dog out of its misery so that I may finally move on from those deeds." She placed the pale back down. " But when I looked into Ashe's eyes, I realized that it was impossible for me to do so. Lonato had every right to hold me accountable, given that the truth was hidden from him. But Ashe didn't have the slightest idea of the quarrels that had plagued both of us for so long… I couldn't bear to make the same mistake again."

"You chose to spare Lonato's life against Rhea's orders," Shamir reminded her. "Are you saying that was because of Ashe?"

Catherine nodded slowly. "Yes. He was innocent in all of this, even when he defended a man who'd been condemned to death."

"So why do you then spend your time living as though your own life has hit a dead end?" The archer pressed. "You were given the chance to make things right, but you act like you're the one who's been sentenced."

Catherine looked down, her fingers tracing the edge of the table. "It's hard to shake the feeling that I failed. I failed Christophe, I failed Rhea's orders, and above all else, I failed my duty." She raised her gaze to meet Shamir's. "You have to understand, Shamir. I gave up everything in service to Lady Rhea. Once you've committed your entire existence to someone who has given you a purpose to live, going against their wishes is, to me, akin to biting the hand that feeds you. That is precisely what I did. And if I no longer hold Lady Rhea's approval, then…" Catherine's voice trailed off, unable to finish her sentence.

Shamir, ever pragmatic, leaned forward and gestured to the document she'd given Catherine. "And yet, here you are, still serving the Archbishop. That piece of paper proves that Rhea hasn't cast you aside. You're still needed."

The swordswoman peered at the parchment in her hand again before letting out a flippant scoff. "Hmph. I guess it does, doesn't it?"

Shamir continued, "Also, Catherine, let me give you some bit of advice: if having a purpose really means that much to you, then I would strongly suggest that you go and find one on your own terms, instead of waiting for someone to fill that gap for you. But if serving the Archbishop does in fact happen to be what it is that you seek, then don't sit around and wait for me to go out of my way to be the middleman between you and Rhea."

To this, Catherine couldn't help but laugh. "Is that your polite way of asking me to stop sitting on my ass and indulging in my self-destructive tendencies for your own convenience?"

The archer smirked. "Something like that. Besides, I've got better things to do than babysit a drunken knight." She stood up and held out a hand. "In any case, we should be heading back. The situation at the monastery has become quite dire, as you've just found out. But I'd prefer to do so with my partner having her head back on her shoulders. Can I count on you to do that?"

Catherine looked up at Shamir, her expression a mix of gratitude and reverence. She took Shamir's hand and steadily stood herself up. "Yeah, you can count on me. Now let's go."

x-x-x

Back at Garreg Mach, there was indeed quite the commotion within the monastery as the Archbishop had sent for all professors of their respective classes, including their house leaders, who now stood before Rhea within the advisory room, her expressions deathly serious. She sat behind her desk with Seteth standing close by, who also gave a look of foreboding as he held a piece of paper in his hand as though the parchment itself was a cursed relic.

"Thank you all for coming at such short notice." Rhea's right hand man spoke rigidly. "We have summoned you all here because there is a sudden pressing matter that you must all become aware of." He then took the piece of paper and laid it out flat on the desk for everyone to see, and Kratos lifted Mimir from his side so that the head could get a clear view of what was written.

"Is this… an open threat against the Archbishop?" Dimitri asked after he finished reading.

Seteth nodded. "Indeed. It was nailed to the main doors leading directly into the monastery. We've questioned the gatekeeper as to how whoever wrote this managed to do so without being noticed, but alas, it seems they used the cover of night, as it was discovered at first light this morning."

"Interesting." Said Claude, pinching his chin. "So they intend to take action against her during the Rite of Rebirth?"

"That is what the letter says, but we have no reason to believe that whoever sent this will not try something sooner."

"Aye," Mimir spoke up, "And do we have any idea if this is related to the incident with the Western Church?"

"It is a possibility," said Seteth gravely, "But the Church of Seiros does have its fair share of enemies. The threat itself seems unrealistic at best… But a threat is a threat."

"What do you want us to do?" Kratos asked, cutting to the chase.

"Your mission remains the same as it has been given. However, since Lady Rhea and I will be confined to the Goddess Tower once the ritual begins, that is where most of the knights will be focused. We do not have enough of them to keep watch on every corner of the monastery. Therefore, it will be up to all of you to maintain security where it is most vulnerable."

"While there is no need to fear for my safety," Rhea added, "We cannot turn a blind eye to those who would blasphemy so heinously." She then spoke to the three individual students. "If you are to engage with an enemy whom you cannot best, you should be fine so long as you have your professors by your side."

Manuela let out a precarious, yet dramatic sigh. "Well, I was hoping for a relaxing mission this time around, but it seems that isn't a possibility anymore."

"It would seem so," Edelgard told her professor, "But I'm confident that we will be able to handle whatever happens come the Rite of Rebirth."

"Well said," Claude stretched out his arms before lacing his fingers behind his head. "But still, there's something about this that feels very off for some reason…"

Seteth cleared his throat, drawing their attention back to him. "Remember, your primary responsibility is to maintain the security of the monastery. Stay vigilant at all times and report any suspicious activity immediately. We cannot afford to take any chances." He then finishes, "With all of that said, you are all dismissed. Good luck to you all."