Prologue - Thunder and Silence

Her attempts in the kingdom had fallen through, so she tried crossing the border to the other side, Duscur. She'd hoped she'd have better luck doing something about the upcoming Tragedy there, but she didn't speak the language, so no one listened there either.

She was sure that if Joseph had helped she'd think of a work around, but he'd gone silent. Only speaking up and acting to keep her safe.

…

One of the locals took note of how lost she seemed, and took her into their home. They'd been kind, and Reidun tried to help where she could.

She hadn't given up though.

She was learning, and she kept trying to give her message. She was sure the grown ups had picked up on her need to say something important, maybe even some of the details, but all she got in return was bemused looks.

…

Reidun was playing some sort of game with a Duscan girl she'd shared a room with. She wasn't 100% sure of the rules, but she thought that she was winning. Either way, she was having fun and so was the other girl.

Out of the corner of her eye, Reidun saw the matronly figure of the family talking with someone. There was an expression of shock, then their eyes snapped to Reidun.

'What does that mean?' Reidun thought.

"She just realised something," Joseph supplied, his input minimal, as it had been as of late.

The grown ups continued their conversation, far more urgently. Then the other figure left in a hurry.

…

A week later, that figure came back, entering the building with someone Reidun hadn't seen before.

They sat across from each other, Reidun and the stranger.

"My brother tells me that you have something important to say, little kingdom girl," they said in Fodlan's common tongue.

Relief. A weight off her shoulders. The chance she'd been looking for.

She told him everything.

The king, killed. Duscur, framed. The villains, unpunished. The kingdom, vengeful.

She mentioned Joseph, who'd told her, and when questioned, she'd described travels that led her to Duscur and the last time she'd seen her parents.

She didn't understand why they asked about that though, they were supposed to focus on the tragedy, not her.

She didn't receive any answers, and was ushered away while the grown ups discussed seriously amongst themselves in their native tongue.

She'd been sitting by the window, when she heard hoofbeats in the distance.

…

They'd been kind to her.

Now they were dead, and the home she'd been allowed to stay at burned to the ground.

The knights of the kingdom discussed among themselves, convinced that she'd been 'kidnapped' and that they'd come to her 'rescue'.

One knight in particular seemed keen to take responsibility for her. He was perhaps the only one to notice her glare before Joseph warped her away.

14th of the Great Tree Moon, 1180

Reidun sometimes wondered how things turned out for that family. Who were they haunting? Did they find another world like Joseph did? Or were they here, out of sight?

Speaking of the ghost, he'd fallen asleep, again.

The trip back had gone much slower than they'd planned thanks to some unfortunate weather, so Joseph had needed to use his magic to dispel Reidun's drowsiness. Then once they finally got there in the early morning, the gates were shut, so he needed to warp her into her room, which was apparently a bit too much for the spectre.

'That's what, 3 times already?' Reidun wondered to herself. It was… unusual, and Reidun really didn't like being alone like that.

There were still a couple of hours until breakfast and the start of the morning classes, so Reidun got to work unpacking her bounty of weapons and wealth.

The world was both too quiet and too loud without Joseph present.

People were loud. All of them with their individual conversations, but none of it made any real sense to her. She tried focusing on the words of the ones standing behind her in the breakfast queue, but while the pronunciation became clearer, the meaning seemed to fade away as the cacophony of other noises just pressed in closer. It hadn't been her first attempt, and when she tried shifting her focus to something else, that too seemed to elude her.

All the while, her inner voice grew louder and louder, further disconnecting from the reality around her.

Too much, all the time. All too clear, yet entirely muddy. Too loud and too quiet.

She hated it.

Doing the morning run with Caspar had been nerve wracking enough without Joseph, but this was hell.

Suddenly, she was at the head of the queue. The kitchen staff was talking to her.

'Something about what I want?' Reidun thought.

She didn't quite catch the words coming from her own mouth, but it must have been the right thing since she received a tray with breakfast on it.

"Thank you," she said, stepping out of the line and turning to the rest of the cafeteria.

Of course, all the tables were occupied by at least one person, meaning she had to sit with someone.

She walked slowly, keeping up the illusion of calm, while internally…

'Ingrid? Nope, we're still not talking- She's looking at me- Is that a glare? Oh, she's leaving. Looks like someone called her away? What about Caspar? No, he got in trouble because of our spar and morning runs, he might not be happy with me either- maybe- I don't know-' she panicked. 'Is that Ashe? Joseph said he seemed to like me when we were talking about books earlier- Is that Petra? Why is she looking at me-? There's Dedue, I could practise my Duscan- no, bad idea- supposed to keep that secret-'

It was a moot point, she'd walked past his table, and turning around at this point would be awkward.

In fact, she was halfway across the canteen by then, and her list of options was shrinking.

All of a sudden, Reidun felt something collide with her. A student going the opposite way.

Both trays clattered to the ground and the room became eerily silent. The other girl had been carrying some sort of porridge with jam, now splattered all over the jacket of Reidun's uniform. Reidun's own breakfast had also dirtied her, before falling off and joining the dust on the floor.

'That's going to stain,' Reidun noted.

"Watch where you're going," the other student said loudly.

'You're the one who stumbled into me,' Reidun thought, but didn't say. In fact, she was somewhat paralysed.

What was she supposed to say? Was the other girl angry? Sad? Disappointed? Joking?

The words might have been an accusation, but it could also be self-deprecating sarcasm.

Reidun didn't know.

'Was it actually my fault?' she wondered. She knew she hadn't been as present as she usually was, but she didn't think she was running into anyone…

'What do I do?'

This was hell.

She hated it.

She tried looking at the other girl's face,-

'That's how people read others, right?'

-but all she saw was a face. Two eyes, a mouth, a nose, eyebrows, ears.

'What am I supposed to learn from that?'

The other girl, who Reidun now noticed was a fellow Blue Lion, had her lips upturned.

'That's a smile, right?'

That didn't help narrow things down. Smiles could mean anything.

So Reidun panicked.

She slowly took off her jacket, inspecting it and ignoring the other girl.

'Definitely going to stain,' she noted. She turned her head to face the source of her problems. "Pardon me, I believe I'm going to need to switch uniforms before classes start."

So, in the white blouse of the uniform, Reidun turned her back to the other student and began to leave.

"Hey, don't ignore me!" They cried after her. "You Duscan whore!"

With that, Reidun stopped.

'It seems someone figured me out,' she thought as things clicked into place, because that was definitely an insult.

Despite the unfortunate situation, Reidun herself felt as if she were enveloped by a calming blanket.

She had a clear picture now. She was under attack, and that meant she was free to strike back.

She turned, a barb on the tip of her tongue and ready to strike-

"Hey, what's the big deal? We all saw that you ran into her!" a voice, Caspar, objected. "She was just gonna let it go, but now you're making a big deal out of it!"

The blue haired boy was up on his feet marching towards the other girl, who seemed flustered at the sudden defence.

"What-?"

The boy marched right past her before she could object, then grabbed Reidun's hand with a "let's get that jacket replaced."

Reidun didn't object either, and let him lead the way.

Once the cafeteria building was behind them, she did allow some amusement to enter her tone as she joked, "I believe you're supposed to be far more familiar with a lady before you take her hand."

"Aw, shucks," he said as he quickly let go, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck in a gesture exaggerated enough that even she could tell it was meant to be sheepish. "Sorry, I tend to forget all that stuff."

"It's fine. I don't mind," she huffed out with a small laugh. Then, realising that her 'secret' was probably out already, she explained "I am not an actual Lady anyway."

"Hold up, you're a guy?!" the boy exclaimed in, again, an excessive manner that could only be shocked disbelief.

Reidun huffed out another laugh, before elaborating, "No, I meant that I'm not a noble."

"Oh… right," Caspar accepted, then kept walking.

'Well, if he's not going to make anything of it, then I won't either,' she thought, before asking. "By the way, where are we going, my dorms the other way."

"Well, you can't keep that thing, it's ruined. So we need to talk to someone to get it replaced," he explained, surprisingly competently. "The uniforms are tough, but they expect a lot of them to get torn up in training, so they have a whole stock of the things ready."

'That makes sense,' Reidun thought. '...and with how Caspar ran through those poor training weapons, of course he'd know this.'

They made it to the staff member responsible for the stock of spare uniforms, Caspar explained the situation, and just like that, Reidun had a new jacket.

"Thank you, Caspar," Reidun said as they left.

"Eh, don't sweat it. Buddies gotta help each other out," he answered.

Reidun let her smile widen just a bit, saying, "then be sure to call on me when you need it."

"Heh, sure thing. Just join the 'morning run' club once we get going," he said.

"Will do, but that doesn't count," Reidun objected. "I would have done that anyway…"

The two eventually split up to head to class. Reidun, doing so without breakfast.

The first class the Blue Lions had for the day was with Viktor, the only professor Reidun had yet to meet. One who Joseph had never mentioned.

'Though… he looks familiar,' Reidun realised as she saw him for the first time, but she couldn't quite place him. It probably wasn't relevant, so she just went to get seated with the rest of her cohort…

"Sorry, there's no space here."

There was, but Reidun didn't comment on that, taking the dismissal for what it was. In fact, she dismissed similarly until she ended up sitting alone at the back of the class.

…

She tried to meet up with the cohort afterwards to compare notes like they did before, but they weren't anywhere in sight, so she reviewed them on her own.

…

'Free study period', where the cohorts were responsible for themselves…

"I'm sorry, Reidun. I think it might be best if you don't join us today," The girl who stood in the doorway, Isabella, said.

Joseph hadn't woken up yet, and Reidun couldn't tell if she was sincere or malicious, so…

"Of course, I understand," she answered, maintaining her pleasant tone.

…

Reidun was alone.

She'd found a space where she could run through some drills with her training lance.

She was strong. This kind of thing didn't bother her. She knew that it was coming. This was only the first day.

The hands that held her weapons shook and she struck the air.

She was fine.

…

She didn't wait for Joseph to wake up. She was in bed by early afternoon, while everyone else was out getting supper, and her eyes drifted closed.

She just wanted the day to be over.

15th of the Great Tree Moon, 1180

Consciousness came to her lethargically.

For a moment, when the thought of a day of school came to mind, she considered just letting herself drift back to sleep.

"Reidun, you're up early," Joseph noted, floating over from the desk where he'd been writing. "I'd say you shouldn't be skipping out on sleep, but I noticed you went to sleep early as well."

There was an unspoken question there, and Reidun didn't feel like answering it.

"Morning Joseph," she chirped instead.

She would have said more, but her stomach protested as hunger struck.

"Reidun… did you skip dinner yesterday?"

Her eyes shot away from Joseph as she mumbled, "...and breakfast."

The ghost crossed his arms disapprovingly, but sensing that there was more to it, dropped the lecture that would have come otherwise.

"We can get you something in the town, the travelling inn there serves food all day," Joseph suggested with a softer tone.

…

"How'd a little lassie like you sneak out past the guards this early in the morning?" the innkeeper asked.

"Does it matter? I have coin," Reidun asked, prompting a chuckle from the man.

"No, it doesn't, what'll it be…?"

…

"Morning," Reidun waved at the gatekeeper as the gates to the monastery opened for the day.

The man blinked a couple of times, looking back over his shoulder into the monastery grounds and out at Reidun in her school uniform as she strolled inside.

He figured he'd have to ask the night crew when they saw her leave.

..

Classes were the same. Reidun was shuffled to the back, but this time she had Joseph, so it was fine.

"Reidun..?" he asked.

'Someone figured it out,' she explained shortly.

"Ah…"

…

Joseph had a few things to say about the class, as well as the ones yesterday.

…

Reidun didn't bother trying to group up with her cohort for training. They'd been perfectly clear the day before.

So she found her spot, readied her weapon, and…

"Aha, this will not do!" a voice called out, stepping into the scene.

Reidun took in the new arrival. He stood tall, bearing what Joseph identified as a confident smile. A middle length ginger mane accompanied the expression combined with the cravat and having seen him amongst the Black Eagles, this had to be-

"Pardon me, I am Ferdinand von Aegir, and I see that you are once again separate from your cohort," the boy introduced himself. "I would be remiss to see one of my fellow hard working students left on their own. Perhaps you would be interested in training with my cohort?"

"He seems genuine," Joseph noted.

"If you're offering, I see no reason to refuse." Reidun withdrew her stance, taking on a much more comfortable posture. "What will we be practising?"

"Ah, prudent!" Ferdinand commended. "We shall be working on swordsmanship. I have reserved one of the outdoor training grounds, and the rest of my compatriots are gathered there."

Reidun nodded

"Then I will have to go retrieve a training sword from my room," she reasoned. "May I meet you there?"

"There should be no need for that, we have training swords to spare," he claimed.

"Apologies, but I am not permitted to make use of the academy store of weapons without a staff member or my cohort leader present," Reidun clarified.

"Ah, I understand, very well, then I shall accompany you!" he declared, stepping alongside the girl and then frowning. "Though, if you are under such a prohibition, then I must further express my discontent with your cohort leader's negligence."

With change to neither her expression nor her tone, Reidun said "I would kindly ask that you refrain."

"...but surely you must see how irresponsible this behaviour is," the noble objected.

"Maybe, but it is also entirely understandable, given the difficult position I've put her in," Reidun denied. "I knew there were going to be problems the second I learned who my cohort leader was. This was expected."

The boy's frown shifted over to confusion. "If that's the case, then why have you not made an appeal to transfer?"

Reidun stopped, her hand hovering over the door to her dorm room as she thought about the question. Practically speaking, the answer was obvious. Reidun was going to enter house Galatea's service once this was all over. But now that she had to put it into words, she realised there was more to it…

"I want to believe in her ability to become better, and for that, I need to give her a chance," she answered. "We're all here to learn after all."

The boy smiled.

"That we are indeed."

…

Training with Ferdinands cohort was productive

…

Lunch rolled around, and Reidun found herself swept up by Caspar and his cohort. It was a pleasant, yet disorienting experience.

…

"Ah, excuse me young Reidun," professor Hanneman said, "would you stay behind for a bit?"

"Of course," she accepted, and she joined him at the front of the class as the rest of the students streamed out. "So professor, how can I help?"

"Firstly, I must ask, are you doing well?" he began. "I would not fault you for wishing to transfer houses, given the circumstances."

Reidun's eyes drifted over to her ghostly companion, before drifting back to the professor with a smile. "I am fine, professor. The situation is manageable with good company."

"That is truly a relief to hear," the professor said, before asking, "in which case, have you bore witness to any more crests?"

Reidun shook her head.

"The only crest bearer I had the pleasure of witnessing in combat since the practice battle was Ferdinand earlier today, and his did not activate," she explained. Then a thought occurred to her, "then I take it that my account corroborated with everyone else's?"

"Indeed it did," the professor divulged. "Though as you yourself have noted within your own report, that is hardly substantial proof for or against the matter. If you do see anything more, be sure to inform me."

"I will."

"Thank you, have a nice evening."

16th… 17th… 18th… 19th… 20th of the Great Tree Moon 1180

The week passed by quickly.

Her measure in the eyes of the Blue Lions only seemed to drop further, but there were no more incidents and, as she told the professor, it was manageable with Joseph's presence. Reidun had classes, reviewed them with Joseph, trained (sometimes on her own, sometimes with cohorts from the other houses), ate, and slept.

Then, on the morning of the field trip…

"Reidun, remember to bring a weapon," Joseph suggested seriously. "A real one."

15th of the Great Tree Moon, 1180

Flayn ended up spending more time with the Black Eagles after meeting Edelgard, like she planned. They were nice! Though it was mildly uncomfortable interacting with them, considering how much she knew about their secrets and pasts.

Still, she felt she was getting closer to them.

"Will you be joining us on the field trip this weekend?" Linhardt asked. "Studying your crest would be far more interesting than whatever they have planned."

"That's an excellent idea, Linhardt! I shall ask my brother if he will allow me," she said, while her thoughts went elsewhere.

That would give her the chance to maybe influence which house Byleth joins!

…

"Absolutely not!"

"Please brother, the Knights of Seiros and the heirs to three different kingdoms will be there. nowhere would be safer," Flayn argued.

"My answer is final, it's too dangerous," Seteth declared, clearly marking the end of the conversation.

'Drat,' she thought, before an insidious thought followed. 'Perhaps I shall go anyway?'

What could possibly go wrong?

An: Umm... I legit don't know what just happened. I looked at the document, and now there are words here. I wouldn't expect a repeat performance any time soon at least.

To NightmareKnight1 (Aug 3, 2024): I kid you not, I've cut Reidun making a Stand joke from the fic at least 3 times because I could make it work with the flow pacing.

To Royalrain20xx (Aug 3, 2024): I liked how a friend of mine described Reidun's danger sense: "She's like a cat who's never seen a car before wandering out onto the street."

To Bustertank (Aug 4, 2024): Well you see- spoiler. Yeah, I'm gonna have to refrain from commenting here.

To eseer (Aug 4, 2024): This comment gives 'This sign won't stop me, because I can't read' vibes.

To LordAzrael3 (Aug 5, 2024): Thank you, and what a coincidence. Hope those 20 min weren't too much XD.