Chapter 33: Pressing Concerns
The tea had long since gone cold, the steam which had risen from the decorative ceramic cup after being placed in front of her was no longer present. If she was being honest, she knew it wouldn't taste all that nice now either.
Right now, however. She was less concerned about that and more with another issue plaguing her mind.
Edelgard waited, continually tapping away at the table she was sat at with a slightly tense look about her. Occasionally she looked over her shoulder as if searching for someone. However she knew he would arrive within due course.
He would first want to ensure they wouldn't be disturbed, but that was why she had chosen this particular spot. Hiding in plain sight was quickly becoming quite the useful tactic for them and it had worked so well thus far. No reason as to why it wouldn't continue to work. That didn't mean she enjoyed waiting at the table of a small cafe wasn't exactly the kind of place where she would want to hold this type of discussion.
But it was the only type of place she was aware of where she could.
"Lady Edelgard." The almost sinister voice sounded out behind her with almost no warning. Anyone else would have been cowed by the sudden arrival. Not her though, she had long since grown used to the owner of the voices habits and actually found them to be very useful for her.
"Hubert." She replied back as the boy moved around the table to the front of her, pulling out the wooden chair and sitting down at the table. "Everything is secure?"
"Indeed." The grim faced boy nodded, his expression never changing "The owner will be away for a few minutes, that should be more than enough time for our conversation to take place." there was silence for a few moments "I assume we are here because of the Knights."
"The increased patrols around the Monastery would make it difficult to hold our usual location, yes." She nodded before an ugly grimace came to her face "And if I were to hold discussions with our associates, I would inevitably have to speak with him."
Hubert had known Edelgard long enough to recognise her tells. Despite the look of disgust she held on her face for Lord Arundel's benefactor – a disgust he too shared – there was another emotion which just managed to peak its way through her eyes. Fear.
"However, that is a discussion for another time." Edelgard dismissed, burying the look and resuming a stern expression "What have you managed to learn of Goetia?"
"He is much like Linhardt." Hubert replied "Unless he has the motivation to achieve anything, he will remain entirely apathetic to whatever situation he finds himself in." the boy paused before he continued on "His encounters with the Monastery staff have been brief and seemingly one sided. He makes no effort to seek them out or acclimatise himself with the Church of Seiros." an unusually amused expression worked its way onto his face "If I were to hypothesis his opinion of the Church...I would say it holds no interest to him."
"Hmmmm." Edelgard hummed in response as she pushed the cold tea aside "Yes...I believe that much is correct as well. Given the discussion I held with him, he holds no true interest in the Church of Seiros because…" biting her lip, a conflicted expression came to her "Because apparently the Church of Seiros is nothing new to him."
Hubert stared at Edelgard with a blank expression "Is that so surprising? The people of Duscur had their own branches of Worship before the Kingdom annexed the region."
"I suppose…" She murmured "However...the idea that another Church of Seiros...another Rhea might be out there is…" she wet her lips and frowned "Deeply troubling to me."
"I see." He didn't truly, but they both knew that. Hubert's experience was so far removed from Edelgard it was like night and day, however his support was what truly mattered to her. Hubert could understand her goals and he was fully committed towards seeing them through and his Lady's emotions were likely in turmoil had the idea that there was more than one Church of Seiros in the world. Although it was best that he nipped this in the bud before it blossomed into a sense of despair "However, if I might suggest we focus out efforts on the more local issue."
Edelgard gave him a tired look as she reached up and rubbed the bridge of her nose "I know I should worry about Fodlan first and foremost Hubert...but I think I have come to realise the world is a big place."
"The world had always been a big place." He replied with a stoic expression "However, we are not looking to better the world."
"No...no I suppose we are not." She nodded along "Apologies, I became distracted."
"You are free to become as distracted as you wish...I will remain at your side to ensure you do not become lost."
"I know and I am grateful for that." She earnestly replied, and she meant every word. Finding loyalty as true as Hubert's was a rare thing and something to be valued closely. However she sometimes felt he went too far but that was neither here nor there for the issues at hand. "I have strayed from the topic at hand." shaking her head, she refocused with pensive look crossing her face "...Goetia is far more powerful than I realised."
"Indeed." Hubert nodded his head with a disturbed look "His massacre of Lord Lonato's army was a rather public display of force. There were rumours circulating around the Monastery prior to that which detailed a training exercise with the Blue Lions ending in a rather one sided victory."
She let out a mirthless huff. She knew about that already, mainly due to the black eye Dimitri had been sporting as he made for the healers along with the other injuries present. Claude had also seen fit to make repeated jests about it although she had no doubt he realised the importance of what had been done. Teenagers they might still be but the Blue Lions came from a Kingdom famed for its Knights and a majority of the students were well known to be some of the best in the year. Beating them at close range said something quite concerning about Goetia.
Although she had dismissed it as Claude simply exaggerating the story to poke fun at Dimitri – the immature jokester that he was – and had readily dismissed it. Up until the point she watched him pulped a man's head into paste with one arm and that was after cutting down his men with rather powerful spells.
Goetia had made it clear that he was neutral towards the Church, however Edelgard had already noticed him forming an attachment to Lysithea from the Golden Deer. An attachment she knew Claude would exploit to bring him over to their side. She could perhaps rely on Goetia remaining neutral on her stance with the Church.
She couldn't rely on him remaining neutral with what came after.
"...For now we do not know enough about him." She spoke in a quiet tone as she tapped on the table "We need better information and from someone he would not suspect." sending an apologetic look towards the retainer "He has long since been aware of your stance in spying on him."
"I understand." Hubert nodded then paused as he realised something "There is another we could volunteer. He has taken on two from the Blue Lions and two from the Golden Deer."
"You suggest we put forward two students as well?" Edelgard asked with a raised eyebrow before she slowly nodded her head "It would be logical to establish a connection with him so that we might better understand his motives as well as the new Professor."
"Indeed. Thus far there has been nothing to indicate why the Archbishop would appoint her to the role of Professor, given her well known ignorance of the Church and complete lack of training in the role of tutor." Hubert nodded along, raising his left hand and cupping his chin with narrowed eyes "Her relationship with the former Captain Jeralt does not answer everything."
"No. That woman has some vested interest in her." There could be no other explanation. It was a certainty that Rhea had appointed Professor Eisner to her role for some – as of yet undetermined – purpose. "However we have had few opportunities to broker upon the subject."
"Indeed, however those we would wish to place within his class would need to be those of Academic insight." He paused as he realised something "...Or at least magical affinity."
"Yes…" Edelgard nodded "And there is one I could recommend."
"As could I...at least so far as he is a cover." He scowled "Truthfully, I do not expect much to come of his placement other than filler. However, he might learn something useful or attempt to better himself in some meaningful way."
"And I know that she would think nothing of what I ask her to do." Edelgard crossed her arms, leaning back into her chair with a mischievous smile "Likely dismissing it as 'Gossip' that and she is better at reading people than me."
"I see." Hubert already knew who she was talking about "...If you believe she is the best candidate…" and he wasn't particularly pleased about it but he was confident enough in Edelgards judgement. He had to be otherwise he would drive himself mad.
"I am." She nodded her head "In the mean time...if we cannot determine where his true motivations lie in regards to the Church it would be best we prepare for an inevitable confrontation with him." raising her hand she stopped Hubert from speaking "Not for the moment. We know that all they would do is just have him killed and even if they attempted that there is no certainty they would succeed."
"And if they did, it might rob us of a potentially useful ally." Hubert surmised "Or a rather dangerous obstacle."
Edelgard bit her lip in response as she mulled over her answer for a few moments "For now I would rather not chance such a thing. I will grant him some leeway for now but only until we can better understand him. Once we do...then I will discuss how best to deal with him."
"Which is why I would very much appreciate it if you would join us for the short festivities!" Flayn finished with a winning smile which very few could have said no to.
"No."
Goetia was – unfortunately for her – one of those few. The sudden and rather sharp rejection had the smile immediately vanish and replaced with an impatient frown, the girl losing all semblance of youth and crossing her arms across her chest and tapping her foot on the ground while staring at him as if he were an unruly child. "I assume you have a reason you wish to give as to why you would reject the offer?"
"Aside from the physical limitations?" Goetia replied with almost a scoff, turning his body around fully so as to give Flayn a perfect view of his missing limb "I have no interest in fishing."
"But it is a challenge which will only last the day." Flayn responded in an almost whine "You cannot mean to hide away on such an auspicious day, surely?"
"Your affection for Fish is yours alone." His tone continued to remain patient in the face of her insistence "I have no true interest participating in an attempt to collect your lunch."
"It would not just be 'my lunch'." She attempted to assuage his concerns "It would also be yours as well."
"It is a challenge based on skill." He presented his second argument just as quickly, not looking at her.
"Magic is a skill."
"You would only ask that I levitate the fish out of the water for you which would not only defeat the purpose of the exercise but also likely end in disqualification." He paused before adding on "Even if I held any interest in such a thing to begin with."
"Fine." Flayn pouted "But you can at least show up, I believe the Professor will be attending as well."
"And?" He got an utterly flat look in response to his question, Flayn seemingly searched him for some manner of answer for a few more moments before a sigh escaped her and she cradled her head in one hand.
"Sometimes I wonder if I truly am the child here?" She probably was. "Would you not wish to provide encouragement?"
"My encouragement will not change the outcome or her ability to catch fish." Goetia stoically replied which only caused Flayn's expression to turn more and more strained as he failed to grasp – to her at least – what was a basic concept of providing moral support.
"It isn't about her ability…" She explained patiently and slowly as if she were speaking to a child "It is about the act itself."
"You mean provide her with motivation?"
"Yes!" Flayn almost cheered as he answered before his next words almost had her face fault.
"If she has not the motivation to catch for the sake of eating then I fail to see what my advice that she simply 'catch fish' will have on her willingness." Goetia answered and completely missed the point – in her view – that she was making. A frown soon came to his face as he turned his attention fully to the girl "Furthermore, with the looming threat-" he spoke the word as if it were some hidden joke, Flayn would be less than pleased at the lack of concern he showed for Rhea if she didn't already know that Goetia was a literal type of person. If she was being honest, she wasn't entirely sure how the Archbishop could be assassinated either "-to the Archbishop's life. Is now really the best time to be distracting yourselves with trivial activities?"
"I think it is during times of crisis that the best time for distractions is found." Flayn replied with an encouraging smile "It shows that you will not let the harshness of the situation burden you and might actually relieve a great deal of stress."
"...What is it with all of you?" He frowned, his face a myriad of bewilderment and resignation "Whenever faced with a crisis which affects your very way of life you seem to jump at any instance to ignore it. Should the Archbishop die the entire Monastery will be thrown into chaos and yet instead of ensuring there is no feasible way that she can be harmed you leap at the first opportunity to completely distance yourself from the entire problem."
Flayn blinked and then shrugged "If you thought about every potential threat and problem all the time, you'd never have free time to yourself."
Goetia stared at her with a hard look for a few moments, his eyes piercing through her as if to see if she would buckle and change her answer. When she didn't his expression returned to one of honest puzzlement as he turned away "So...being perpetually concerned about problems...robs you of your freedom?"
"I would not phrase it quite like that." Flayn replied before she slowly nodded her head "But I find that it can very quickly occupy all of your thoughts and drive you up the wall." a sad smile came to her as her eyes turned down and away from Goetia's face "I fear my older brother is the same. He frets so often over myself or the Monastery that I feel he rarely gets the chance to be himself."
When she looked up she nearly froze. For a split second Goetia's eyes were crinkled with his mouth slightly agape in a slightly strained expression before it reverted back to its neutral one. It happened so fast that she could scarcely say the look ever existed in the first place were it not for the fact she had barely caught a glimpse of it. Goetia had crushed any visible reaction to her words, but that did not mean her words had no reaction.
Goetia saw how her eyes bled concern.
How that look disgusted him. He didn't want to be pitied. He was supposed to be the apex of life, he was supposed to…
But he wasn't.
Time and time again he was having to remind himself that he wasn't the same as he had been. Trapped in this pitiful mortal coil that he was with barely an ounce of the power he had once wielded. He kept his face blank despite the hurricane of emotions boiling inside of him.
The reaction to her words had been crushed but not fast enough, he found it difficult to mask his expression when faced with such statements. Purely because of how important they were to him. Why didn't anything make sense? Why couldn't he just-
"Goetia?" Flayn's voice broke him out of his thoughts and towards her "Are you alright? You seem…" she hesitated "Stressed?"
Stressed? Was that what this was? It felt like the right word to apply to his current situation. The state of uncertainty within him was slowly building and no matter how often he ignored it, the same ugly emotions would return and settle in his gut. This nauseous feeling of weakness as he couldn't even contemplate his own existence anymore.
It disgusted him.
A distraction. He needed a distraction. He needed to escape these thoughts, occupy his time with something else. The library was something he could often use, focus his mind on filing the books but that wouldn't work. Not now, it would serve as a reminder of Flayn's questions and if she left now he would be alone with that growing feeling in his gut.
Teaching his students?
It wouldn't work. They were all away with that ridiculous fishing event or busy with their own personal issues. This...this fishing event in the middle of this plot. What an absolute illogical waste of time which was now serving to rob him of his own distraction. If it weren't for their incomprehensible penchant for busying themselves with pointless endeavours he would have found some escape from himself.
They couldn't even do that right could they?
Why couldn't they just-!
...He was getting angry again. A shaky breath escaped his lips as he attempted to steady himself. Getting angry would do him no good and would only serve to further nurture that feeling in his gut.
He just wanted that feeling gone.
He just needed to avoid it.
"...How long will this fishing event last?"
Flayn still looked at him with trace amounts of concern, however her enthusiasm soon won out as a smile now decorated her face "It will last a few hours! Come on!" she grabbed his arm and led him towards the door of the Library "You can apologise to Tomas later, for now the fish await!"
He didn't care about the fish.
He just didn't want to think about himself right now.
"You seem calm now knowing one of your peers isn't human." Sothis mused as Byleth lowered the bait into the pond, her expression betraying nothing as she stilled her form and stared at the surface of the water. Gathered around the body of water were others all with their own fishing rods attempting to make the largest catch within the few hours.
She was slightly surprised to see Ashe sat next to the Black Eagle girl with the reddish violet hair. She wondered when she missed that although perhaps she wasn't as involved in her students lives as she was supposed to be.
Was she supposed to be involved with their lives outside of class? It seemed like the kind of thing she was supposed to be involved with. Although perhaps that was why Ashe seemed to be doing better in recent days following the death of his father.
"Don't downplay it." Sothis chided her before she sighed "I know you do not think of it so casually, but he has lost someone very dear to him. Even if he seems to be recovering, that is a wound that even time might not heal entirely."
"You seem to be good at this." Byleth replied in her head "But you are probably older than me with more experience."
"That almost sounded like a compliment." Sothis crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow at her "Although I sincerely hope it was not a jab at my suspected age...Although I am older than you, that much I do know."
"I am thankful. I don't understand their feelings all that well." Byleth admitted "I didn't have to deal with this sort of stuff around father."
"I can tell." Sothis grumbled "But you didn't answer my question."
"You aren't human either." Byleth pointed out before she pursed her lips "Apparently very few of my students are completely human as well."
"When he describes it like that it distracts from the issue, doesn't it?" The girl chuckled "Quite clever for one who seems to be as capable of emotions as you are...I didn't realise he had completely avoided the subject until he had left."
"I thought you said that was all we were going to get out of him for now?"
"I said that after he dropped the rather explosive reveal." Sothis replied with a frown, although it wasn't directed at anyone in particular "He never told you what race he was did he?"
"...No, he didn't." Byleth slowly nodded her head "Does it matter?"
"I don't know." The floating girl shrugged "It might, it might not. But as Goetia is so keen on knowing things just to decide if they are worth knowing at all, I find myself wanting to approach him with a similar stance."
"Didn't you make fun of him for that?"
"Yes, but you're not going to tell him." Sothis responded flatly "Could you imagine him if he found out? I suspect he would lord it over me."
Byleth furrowed her brows slightly, she didn't think Goetia would make fun of Sothis for it but she couldn't be sure. He did seem to criticise her for the limitations she had in regards to reversing time so it was entirely possible he would ridicule her for hypocrisy.
"He isn't one to speak to me of being a hypocrite." Sothis indignantly remarked before her eyes softened and a troubled look came to her face "...He seems shaken by what I said to him."
"He is?"
Sothis sighed, rubbing her forehead in exasperation "He is and while it might not be entirely obvious to you, that is through no fault of your own. He appears to have encountered a somewhat unusual situation…" lowering her hand, she trailed off as her eyes seemingly caught sight of something of interest, considering her eyes lit up and a coy smile spread across her face "Well...that is quite unexpected."
Byleth followed the Goddess line of sight to see Flayn coming down the stairs to the pond, while that wasn't so unusual given her fixation on fish – which even Byleth thought was a bit odd – it was who she was dragging along by his single arm which surprised her.
Goetia had an utterly blank look about him as Flayn continued to drag him towards the side of the pond along with the other spectators. The fact he seemingly put up no resistance to being virtually manhandled earned a few surprised looks from those who knew him.
Except Ashe.
The boy froze on the spot when Goetia passed behind him, daring a look over his shoulder to see the back of the tanned man before he bit his lip and turned his attention back to the water, now hunched over and looking far more shaken than he had done previously. The Black Eagle girl he was with, Petra, watched the sudden shift in his person and sent a brief glance towards Goetia before a frown came to her face. It lasted scarcely a moment before she refocused her attention on Ashe and continued to attempt to teach him how to fish.
"I was not expecting him to come to a gathering like this." Sothis admitted with a curious expression "I imagined he would say something along the lines of 'I have no interest in this thing you call fun'" she put on a mockingly deep voice as she attempted to emulate Goetia's manner of speaking "He can be quite stubborn. Much like an unruly child."
"...Didn't you just do an impression of him though?"
Sothis released a mirthful huff "Yes but when I speak of others childish temperaments I am allowed to gift myself some leeway when it comes to maturity." waving her hand dismissively towards Byleth "Do not believe it evidence that I am childish." Sothis paused and narrowed her eyes at Byleth "You were about to say that is what a child would say."
"No I wasn't."
"You were thinking it."
"But I didn't say it."
"I live inside your head, the two are not mutually exclusive." A sigh escaped the small ghost "Regardless, I wonder what the young one said that would be able to drag him here?"
"…"
"…"
"…"
"...Isn't this fun?"
Red eyes stared blankly at her in response, the utterly uninterested face Goetia was wearing made it perfectly obvious that this entire affair was of little interest to him. Flayn's smile faltered in response to his complete lack of enthusiasm. "You were the one who wanted to come." she pointed out which earned her a slight twitch of his lip.
That much was at least true, although to state that he wanted to come would have been an understatement-
"Well, well, well." He turned to the feminine voice "This is quite the surprise, normally one wouldn't find you far from the library, Gotie." Dorothea gave an amused smile as she approached and came to a stop next to the pair, looking down towards Flayn "And with Seteth's little sister? I certainly hope you have his permission."
"I do not require Brothers permission to speak with people." Flayn crossed her arms and huffed "I can speak to whoever I want."
Dorothea gave her a slight tilt of the head in response, however Goetia spoke before she had the opportunity to dissect that sentence.
"Your Siblings reputation control over who you speak to is known even to me." And he went at it with all the subtly of a battering ram. Flayn pouted and looked away while Dorothea withheld a chuckle. "Is there something you needed?"
"Well, I find that needing to talk and wanting to talk are two different things." Dorothea replied as she turned about to face the ongoing competition "I realised we hadn't spoken since you first came to the Monastery and I've heard of all sorts of interesting things happening since then."
"You wanted to discuss rumours?"
"I actually wanted to discuss if you think the Professor is going to win?" She replied, Flayn suddenly perked up and did her best to not look enraptured by the conversation. She wasn't doing a very good job by the way her head had turned slightly so now she could casually stare up at the two.
"It is a simple calculus over what quality of bait is being used in relation to distance with the surface." He pointed out "The larger fish will keep to the deeper waters further into the pond." nodding over to where Alois was sat "He will have little luck in catching anything of significant size, he is too close to the bank...He is also too loud."
Flayn slowly turned her head to completely stare at him "...Why do you know so much about fishing?"
"Knowledge about fishing is entirely dependent on knowledge about the fish themselves." He explained as if it were the most obvious answer in the world "Understanding their biological habits something which increases your success at hunting them."
Dorothea leaned forwards and raised an eyebrow "That didn't answer my question of how well you think the Professor will do?"
A barely audible breath of annoyance crept past his lips "I am confident that her skills are proficient."
"Willing to make a bet on that?" Goetia's eye twitched slightly as Claude came in on his other side, sporting a wide smile "And Dorothea, lovely to see you. Looking as radiant as ever."
"Claude." Dorothea nodded back "Still wagging that tongue of yours, although I think its rather endearing. Like a child who speaks before he can think properly."
"Ouch!" Claude recoiled, placing a hand over his heart and wearing an expression of faux hurt "That really gets me right where it hurts." his smile returned as he relaxed himself "Although I can't say that sharp tongue of yours isn't a pleasant surprise, you're a little bit like Leonie."
"In that we're both commoners?" She remarked, raising a single eyebrow and placing one of her hands on her hip.
"Well, that and you're not that afraid of speaking your mind." He smiled "I prefer that."
"The master of secrets prefers honesty?" Dorothea released a gasp and held her hand over her mouth with comically wide eyes "This is unprecedented!"
"And they call me childish." Claude grinned at her before turning his attention back to Goetia "So? Care for a bet?"
"I have no interest in gambling-" Goetia didn't even get to finish his sentence before Claude interrupted him.
"I bet that Shamir will catch a bigger fish than Teach." Claude crossed his arms in front of his chest and gave Goetia a challenging smirk. The other three turned their heads over to see the indigo haired woman take a spot near the edge of the pond and throw out her line towards the centre, not too far from Byleths.
"...Shamir is the mercenary, yes?"
"She is." Claude nodded "Well, she's a knight now but I think its because they pay her to be here." he shrugged.
"Some people need to earn a living, Claude." Dorothea pointed out with a roll of her eyes "We can't all expect wealth to just drop into our laps." she paused before sending him a knowing look "Or a sudden heir-ship to Kingdom."
"Technically we're an Alliance." Claude replied with a raised finger "But your point still stands, I guess." he turned to Goetia "So? Willing to make that bet?"
"I have no interest in-"
"I bet Seteth will catch a larger fish than both of them." Flayn asserted, crossing her arms and nodding "He has been doing so for years and I have yet to see someone better."
"How many have you seen?"
"...My point still stands."
"Hmph." The grunt from the tanned man earned snickers of amusement from both Claude and Dorothea.
"Well, that's one for Seteth from the family." Claude counted, raising a single finger "I'm betting on Shamir." another finger "...You gonna bet on anyone Dorothea?"
"And what exactly are we betting?" She asked with an inquisitive look "I do not exactly have anything of interest to wager."
"We'll say that the losers have to pay for the winners lunch." He replied.
"Claude...we get free meals."
"Down in the town." He added on "We all go out and get lunch and the losers all have to pitch in for the winners meal." he offered with a slight smile "Its equal and not that expensive."
"...I bet on Petra." Dorothea smirked, flicking her hair behind her head "She's quite the hunter as well."
"Oooh~" Claude nodded approvingly "Another good contender. Even if she's a Princess I hear that the people from Brigid are quite the hunters."
Three sets of eyes turned to Goetia "Well?" Claude quizzed "You got a certain someone you want to bet on?"
"I do this only because you will not leave me alone." He huffed "Fine. I will wager that Byleth will capture the largest fish."
"And now, ladies, gentlemen and children-"
"Hey!" Flayn squawked indignantly "I am not a child!"
"Are you older than me?" Claude asked with a curious face, Flayn froze like a deer in hunters sights before she slowly closed her mouth. Not trusting herself to respond while she was slightly emotional "Fine. Ladies and Gentlemen."
"Really?" Dorothea blinked "I can only see Goetia here. Where is the other one?" she exaggeratedly looked around before peering behind Claude "Are you hiding him in your shadow?"
Claude rolled his eyes in amusement. Despite the barbs, he couldn't say that either of them were mean spirited. He did like the fact that Dorothea was honest with him even if he wasn't a Noble. That and she didn't demand he act in a certain way and place pressure upon him to conform to an ideal.
Dorothea just thought he was a marked improvement over the common sort of Noble. He didn't lord himself over anyone. Neither did Edelgard but she wasn't exactly as approachable as Claude and she hadn't really spoken to Dimitri at all so she couldn't say about him. He seemed nice but there was something to him which sometimes put her on edge. That and the Fraldarius heir frequently made comments about his personality being a complete fabrication.
"Yes." Claude admitted with a perfectly serious expression "That is actually what I have done. You have discovered my secret ability to hide away Nobles in shadows...whatever will come of my insidious scheme now?"
Goetia just stared at them as they continued to chatter away. Children. He was surrounded by immature children. Although they did provide him with the distraction he craved. If only for this brief moment, he could ignore everything else and just observe the chaos unfolding before him. It was illogical, incomprehensible and irrational.
But he couldn't say he despised it. It was baffling in a way, that they could maintain such a calm state in their current situation.
Regardless. He was confident in Byleth's ability to secure the largest fish. She had the aid of a Divine Spirit, that was a greater boon to her abilities if nothing else.
"...I have no words." Claude replied in an utterly bewildered tone of voice "I can't even...how?"
"It is certainly unexpected." Flayn nodded her head, although she was also sporting a look of incomprehension as well "It does not fit within his past experience."
"It didn't help that he kept shouting whenever he got a bite." Dorothea continued on "...But that doesn't explain how his only bite could do this."
Alois stood up near at the pier in front of the crow, holding up the large silver fish which was easily twice the size of the next biggest one. Having somehow managed to secure only a single bite on his lure but that was apparently enough for him to reel in the largest catch of the day and win the competition.
Byleth stood next to him, holding up an impressive trout but compared to Alois giant fish, it might as well have been a minnow.
Flayn turned back to Goetia with both her hands on her hips and a slightly raised eyebrow "What was that you said about his position being terrible?"
Goetia remained stone face before a breath escaped him, soon followed by another one. Flayn gradually widened her eyes as her arms fell limply by her side. Claude looked around and also paused at the sight, Dorothea merely tilted her head at him before a slight smile came to her as well.
The rapid breaths soon changed into a quiet chuckle, his lip curled into the smallest of smiles.
"It's incomprehensible." Goetia said amidst it "He had every disadvantage in himself, his position and his equipment...and yet he managed to pull a win not through skill...but luck." he cradled his head with his single hand "He shouldn't have been able to succeed and yet he did...through the sheer unpredictable variable of luck!" the laugh died down but the faint smile remained on him "It is unthinkable...once again I find myself completely baffled by the power of pure chance."
Flayn shared a look with Claude, the girl was virtually vibrating as she turned her attention back to the man. The smile remained on his face for a few more moments before it vanished. While Flayn and Claude normally would have been a little let down, they couldn't say it wasn't worth it.
If only because it somehow made Goetia laugh.
He couldn't help it though. It was so unthinkable. Alois was a blundering fool who wouldn't have been able to keep quiet at anything if his life depended on it and yet through this single act of chance he had been granted, the slimmest of possibilities he had seized had granted him the victory.
There should have been no logical reason why Alois could have won.
But he did.
He laughed because he couldn't think of any other reaction to give. The burden of his mind forgotten, all he was left with was the rather bizarre reminder of the power of pure luck and circumstance. Perhaps it truly was a human feature to overcome logic with luck.
Chapter 34: Plans for a break in
Despite what Dimitri had said to the Professor in relation to suspecting that their attention was being brought elsewhere with the suspected attack on the Archbishop, he had yet to come up with any location that would a suitable target.
Or rather, he had failed to narrow it down. The problem was that the Monastery held a great many important artefacts and relics which could be tempting targets for any number of reasons and trying to point his finger at one and say 'This is where they will attack' was quickly proving to be quite the mountain to climb. Thus he had gone to his classmates for assistance, although they were quickly proving to be as flustered as he was when it came to discerning a possible target.
"What about Professor Hanneman's study?" Annette suggested with a slightly hopeful expression as she made the latest guess into the meeting – which had been going on for nearly ten minutes by this point – and had ranged from the Vault to the library itself, at which point it unanimously became the feeling that they would pity the poor sap who tried to steal anything while Goetia was working there "There's got to be something important in there?"
"Perhaps to a pencil pusher." Felix scoffed, rubbing his eyes and still looking like he would rather be anywhere else but here. It was actually a surprise that he had even turned up to begin with. "If we're discussing someone who has the gall to threaten the life of the Archbishop as a distraction, then I would imagine their goals would be more impactful than simply stealing some of Hanneman's old books."
"Oh?" Ingrid raised a dismissive eyebrow at him "I suppose you have a better suggestion then?"
"The Monastery no doubt holds more weapons than just the Heroes Relics." Felix replied without missing a beat and with a roll of his eyes, fixing Ingrid with a flat look "They likely hold other weapons which can be comparable to the Heroes Relics."
"That does make sense." Ashe nodded his head in affirmation "And they wouldn't require the power of a crest to activate...although I don't know how much good it would do to have a weapon such as that if they couldn't use it."
"I'm certain some mage would be able to create replica's of them." Felix waved his hand before cupping his chin "Certainly given the arms Lonato's rebellion was issued with."
"...Yes." Ashe gave a quiet answer "I don't know anyone in Gaspard who could have made those, the few mages who did live there were no more talented than those I've seen about the Monastery."
"It is quite the surprise that the Monastery holds so many potential targets." Dimitri pointed out, clicking his tongue "And quite unfortunate as well...it seems we might become as distracted as our enemies wish us to be in guessing their intentions."
"Perhaps it would be best to better explore the lesser known locations, Your Highness." Dedue offered "Certain locations may be better defended than others during the Rite of Rebirth."
"Searching the entire Monastery." Dimitri hummed in response, slowly nodding is head "Yes, that is where I was looking. As it stands, we have nothing to offer but guesswork as to what our mysteries assailants intentions might be. For now, it would be best if we explore the Monastery and discover areas of vital importance."
"We can do that?" Sylvain blurted out in surprise "Won't anyone try to stop us?"
"We can have nothing to hide, so we will explain our motives to the Professor." Dimitri replied "As for the more restricted area's of the Monastery...it would be best to point the Knight's attention towards those just in case. In any event, I will bring our discussion to the Professor, I have already made her aware of the possibility but it would be best if we get her support in its entirety."
"True." Ingrid nodded "She's more likely to have a greater degree of access to information regarding the Monastery than we are." pausing, she cocked an eyebrow at Dimitri "What of the other Houses?"
"If I have thought of something like this, then I no doubt suspect that Claude has as well." Dimitri replied with an amused smile "As for Edelgard...it might tip off whoever it is if suddenly all three Houses of the Monastery suddenly begin an investigation into the places of interest in the Church. Besides...I have no doubt Claude will at least be subtle."
The paper fell onto the desk with a gentle thud as Claude's smile threatened to split his face "Gather around, gather around." he waved to his classmates, they all begrudgingly approached him and looked between the rolled up piece of paper on his desk and him.
"What is it now Claude?" Lorenz asked with an exasperated tone, giving the boy a critical gaze "I hope this is not another attempt to waste our time."
"Lorenz, you wound me." Claude shook his head "As if I would ever do something like this as a joke."
"What about that time with the 'ancient book' which turned out to be a frisky poem?" Hilda asked with a wry smirk and crossed arms, Claude's smile froze and he turned a slightly hurt look onto the pink haired girl. Hilda scoffed and rolled her eyes "Don't be like that, I thought it was funny."
"I most certainly didn't." Lorenz hotly replied back "Fooling me under the pretence of learning just so you could have me read filth, honestly it was beneath even you."
Leonie sniffed and shrugged her shoulders "I thought it was pretty good. Liked the part where he described-"
"Moving on." Claude interrupted "As funny as it is to watch Lorenz stumble around-"
"How dare you-!?"
"-this is actually something important." He unveiled the roll of paper, revealing a diagram to his classmates "And it relates to the upcoming Rite of Rebirth." that earned him intrigued looks from his classmates and a catlike smile from him "See? Told you it was good."
"Fine, you can show a modicum of professionalism." Lysithea crossed her arms in front of her and peered down at the diagram "What is this anyway?"
"The layout of the Monastery." He paused "Including some of the restricted areas."
Several of his classmates let out strangled sounds of alarm.
"W-where did you get this?" Lysithea sputtered as she stared at the map with a new found sense of dread "T-this is for the hands of the staff only!" she widened her eyes and fixed him with a glare, one mixed with rage and horror "Did you steal this!?" hissing at him only seemed to elicit an amused smile.
"Steal is such an ugly word." He amusedly replied with a whimsical smile "I prefer borrowed."
"Borrowed!?" Lorenz gasped "You! This is completely unacceptable! You have pilfered from the Church like some common street rat! This will reflect poorly on all of us and you most of all! The shame the Alliance will have to go through when your hands are removed for thievery-!"
"No, I mean I literally borrowed it." Claude cut him off, his smile not losing any of its width "I asked for it and they gave it to me."
"Who!?" Lysithea demanded "What sort of careless fool would casually hand out something so secretive!?"
"That is a unique way of phrasing my assistance." Lysithea's complexion paled rapidly at the voice sounding out at the entrance to the "Although I admit that gifting it to Von Riegan was perhaps an oversight on my part." her head turned around with a creaking noise towards the voice.
Goetia stood at the entrance to the Golden Deer classroom with a blank look on his face, although his eyes remained on Lysithea "I ensured he would receive one of the maps that the staff familiarise themselves with, the more secretive areas of the Monastery are not listed."
Lysithea made a strangled noise like a dying cat.
"Regardless." Goetia continued on, making his way towards the desk where Claude held a triumphant smirk on his face "Von Riegan came to me with a suggestion I felt had some small amount of merit and was inclined to allow him to facilitate a hypothesis with better evidence to support his claim."
Leonie blinked at him "I thought you were only an assistant Librarian though?" she quizzed, earning the tanned man's attention "Do you have the authority to do something like this?"
"No." He replied "However, Seteth does and after I explained Von Riegan's suspicions to him, he believed they had some worth. Therefore he allowed the use of the plans provided I was present to ensure their safe return."
"See?" Claude gestured to the assistant Librarian as he came to a stop and stood next to the Golden Deer leader "Nothing wrong."
"...Alright." Ignatz agreed easily "So...what is it you wanted to talk about?"
"I am so glad you asked, my friend!" Claude enthusiastically cried out, pointing towards the map "I am of the belief that the plan to assassinate the Archbishop is a distraction to hide someone's real intentions from us." he looked around the faces of his classmates "I mean, think about it? The Knights are all going to be focusing on Lady Rhea so that means other areas of the Monastery are going to be poorly defended…" he trailed off, looking to see if anyone would see where this was going.
"Which might be the aim of whoever is created the plan." Lorenz finished with a curt nod and a stern expression "Indeed, it is quite foolhardy to believe a plan to assassinate the Archbishop could ever really work." a frown grew on his face "It would be the height of foolishness to even make the attempt...so that means that they might have another objective in mind."
"Okay, suppose they do." Leonie moved to the table and leaned over, staring at the building plans "Where would they want to attack."
"That is the part I'm struggling with." Claude admitted with a brief flash of frustration "Turns out this Monastery is jam packed with stuff worth stealing." a sigh escaped his throat "Although I suppose that's what happens when you keep everything important in one place, makes it a little easier to protect but means everyone knows where they have to go to steal it."
"It is your own suggestion to follow up upon." Goetia reminded him with a disinterested expression "I am only here to ensure the Monastery layout plans are not misused in any way."
"Wow…" Claude whistled "That little faith in me, huh?"
"…"
"...Fair enough." He shrugged his shoulders, furrowing his brows and looking back at the map "The way I see it, we can cross off the Library and Professor Hannemans study as targets of interest."
"What about the mess hall?" Raphael asked with a serious look "What if they try to steal the food?"
"I'm...sure the mess hall will be well defended." Ignatz offered with a slightly bewildered tone of voice, the pale green haired boy looking around his peers for support "R-right?"
"Yeah." Claude gave a single nod of his head "Besides, I don't think we really need to worry about the mess hall being in danger."
"You sure?" Raphael pressed "Because I can guard it."
"If you guard it we really will need to worry about the mess hall being in danger." Leonie dryly remarked, causing the larger boy to sputter and fix her with an indignant expression.
"H-hey! Even I can't eat that much!"
"Is it telling he didn't deny that he would raid the kitchen?" Claude whispered to Hilda, the pink haired girl smirked and rolled her eyes in amusement at the joking smile on the boys face. "Anyway. The mess hall aside, the only places I can logically assume that would be targets are the Vault and the Mausoleum."
"The Holy Mausoleum?" Ignatz clarified with a tilt of his head "Why there?"
"Well, it only ever opens up during the Rite of Rebirth." Claude pointed out "And its said to be where Seiros final resting place is."
"Why would someone raid the tomb?" Marianne asked quietly, a delicate frown on her face "It doesn't make much sense to me."
"Don't quote me on this, but apparently the Tomb is guarded by a strong magic." Goetia's eyes flickered to Claude with a hint of intrigue in them "Said to repel any type of invader."
"A bounded field around a tomb?" The man muttered under his breath "Seiros is the founder of the Church, yes?"
"She was." Lorenz nodded his head "She was also the first to speak the words of the Goddess as emissary from the Red Canyon of Zanado. It is where the religion first spawned and from there spread across all of Fodlan." the man pursed his lips "However, I do not believe that would be evidence enough to suspect an attempt would be made to defile the tomb."
Lysithea pursed her lips in thought "She was an emissary of the Goddess and is regarded as Divine herself by the Church...perhaps there might also be something buried with her."
"Or it is her." Goetia spoke up "The remains of those blessed or chosen by divinities have qualities with a great many uses. If she were also the first chosen of the Goddess to receive the gift of your Crests, then her blood would be far more potent than whatever you all have running through your veins." Ignoring the possibility that Seiros had been another of the Phantasmals.
Lorenz regarded Goetia with a distasteful look "I am not sure how magic is conducted in your homeland, but we do not condone such barbaric practices here."
"The use of Madness Enhancement Mystic Codes is evidence to the contrary." Goetia fired back without missing a beat, his eyes narrowed slightly "And your own unwillingness to condone the use of Divine blood does not extend to others with such an interest."
"The idea of messing with the Prophet Seiros remains aside." Leonie interrupted the two, putting her hand on the map "What about the Vault?"
"That's got another layer of warding spells on it as well." Claude replied "As far as what is kept in there...I got no clue."
"I suppose that is for the best." Lorenz bluntly stated before frowning "The Vault and the Holy Mausoleum. It is not too great a leap to assume that one who would threaten the life of the Archbishop would not be remiss to stoop low enough to defile the Holy Tomb of Seiros either." his eyes flickered over to Goetia "For barbaric practices."
Goetia met his stare with an impassive look.
"What's this location?" Lysithea asked, frowning as she stared at the map and placed her finger on it "Abyss? I've never heard of that."
"Huh." Claude blinked and looked at it with a puzzled look on his face "Me neither...Looks like its underneath the Monastery as well." turning his head to Goetia, he raised an eyebrow "You ever heard of it?"
He got a shake of the head in reply "I was unaware of its name but Seteth did inform me of ruins underneath the Monastery, however from what he described they are not currently occupied by members of the Church and have long since been abandoned." Goetia paused "Although he made specific mention that the Church does not venture there, whether or not it is populated by vagrants is an entirely different matter."
Lorenz scoffed "As if the Church would ever allow such people to live on its premises."
"Well...I guess if the Church doesn't have much of an interest in it and there aren't any knights patrolling it anyway, its unlikely to be a target." Claude released a breath "You don't try to distract non-existent guards."
"Then we are split between the Vault and the Mausoleum." Lysithea surmised before her eyes flickered over to Goetia "Teacher-"
"You can expect no further assistance from me in this regard. It is an idea of your own making and therefore your responsibility to see it to completion." He replied instantly "I have aided you as far as I am…" he trailed off, red eyes briefly dimmed as they stared into the distance "...as far as I am currently willing." he murmured out in a low voice.
"Well, I'm grateful for the help." Claude thanked him with a faint smile an a nod of the head before turning his attention back to the diagram "I mean, I'd rather you be more willing but I'm not going to complain."
Goetia let out a grunt in response.
"A secret meeting with the entire Golden Deer House and the assistant Librarian?" The House – as one – turned towards the voice to see Shamir stood at the entrance, leaning against the doorway with a slight tilt of her head being the only indication of any interest she had in the current situation "I suppose it relates to the Archbishop."
"Shamir." Claude gave a curt bow of his head "Surprised to see you here, normally you don't get around to visit us all that often." he paused before a smile split his face "Don't tell me that the charming personalities of the Golden Deer have finally-"
"Don't flatter yourself." Shamir shut him down instantly, her expression barely changing "I'm only here because I have to patrol the Monastery as well." her eyes flickered over to Goetia "Although I am curious as to what brought about this small gathering."
"We're just following up on some ideas." Claude replied smoothly "Working under the assumption that not everything is as it seems."
"Really?"
"Yep." Claude nodded, throwing a thumb in the direction of the librarian "As for Sparkles here-"
"Sparkles?" Shamir raised an eyebrow at him, then returned her attention to Goetia. Taking obvious note of his hair before her lip twitched slightly "I see."
"Clever, aren't I?" Claude asked with a winning smile "Anyway, Sparkles is here because we needed information that he was happy to give us-"
"After being asked by Seteth." Goetia corrected him "I merely informed him of your hypothesis and he saw fit to expand my inclusion, if ever so slightly."
"Right, right." The boy waved his hand "Sparkles is just here to make sure we don't misuse the information."
"By we he means him." Hilda offered with a wide grin, Claude sent her a flat look although his lip was ever so slightly upturned indicating the humour he found in her rather bold character assassination of him. The twin-tailed girl turned back to him and shrugged "What? You're telling me you wouldn't?"
"Well, I might but you don't have to tell people that." He faux whined.
"I suppose you would be saddened when people state the obvious." Lysithea offered, Claude clutched his hand over his heart and doubled over.
"You too, Sprinkles?"
"I told you not to call me that!"
"Yes…" Shamir dryly remarked from her spot at the door to the classroom "I can see you're on top of the situation at hand. Still, if you're just participating in nonsense then I see no need to stay here."
"We'll see you around then!" Claude waved goodbye to the woman as she left, then looked around his other Classmates "...So. Who's up for some traini-"
"I am!" Raphael's hand shot into the air before Claude could even finish his scentence.
"How much thought have you given the young man's idea?"
"Dimitri's?" Byleth quizzed before humming to herself "Makes sense, Archbishop is now too well defended and it is poor planning to leave assassination note on your person."
"So you agree with him that it is a distraction." Sothis clarified with a raised eyebrow before pursing her lips and nodding her head "That is indeed a possibility, although I am not accustomed to thinking about such things." the girl inclined her head "So what will do you?"
"Ask him his ideas." She replied, pausing for a few moments "Then go to Seteth."
"That is sensible." Sothis nodded, an approving smile on her face "Seteth is indeed a reasonable man, I am also certain he finds himself overworked frequently."
"Really?"
"He has to deal with an entire Monastery worth of work." Sothis bluntly replied, gesturing down to the papers on Byleth's desk "You have to deal with a single class. Do you think you could do it?"
Byleth stared at the papers on her desk which already seemed somewhat daunting, less so than when she first started but still nothing to scoff at. Then she imagined having to deal with three times as many sets of papers as the ones she had in front of her. Sothis watched with an amused smile as a flicker of uncertainty passed through Byleth's eyes before they stared into the distance.
"See?" The girl crossed her arms with a victorious smile, although it soon faded into a frown "However, it does raise the question as to what location you believe will be targeted as oppose to the Archbishop."
Byleth nodded her head mutely. It was indeed a pressing matter, with the Rite of Rebirth only a couple weeks away it was certainly a pressing issue as to what manner of target would be attacked.
"Professor." She looked up to see Dimitri enter the room with a serious look on his face "I believe we have come up with a theory as to what the target will be."
Byleth titled her head "What?"
"I had some of the Blue Lions ask around about the Rite of Rebirth." Dimitri explained as he came to a stop in front of her desk "There is one place that is only accessible to the Public during the Rite and is valuable enough that the Church would have a vested interest in it as great as the Archbishop herself."
"Where?"
"You suspect they will attack the Holy Mausoleum." Seteth cupped his chin, leaning back against his desk with a minute frown "Yes...I can see how that would also be a target, in truth my attention had already been drawn towards that location earlier."
"Truly?" Dimitri blinked, Seteth gave a nod an a faint smile.
"Yes, it seems that Claude and the Golden Deer also suspect that the Mausoleum might be a target, however they also brought up the possibility of the Monastery Vault being a potential location of interest as well." He admitted, working his jaw "And while I would normally be quite pleased to see inquisitive minds find other possibilities we have not yet explored...I find the implication of these possibilities disturbing."
"Indeed." Dimitri nodded gravely "An attack on the Holy Mausoleum would be quite the blow for the Church if it were to succeed."
"What concerns me is the implication they would be able to gain access to the Tomb of Seiros." Seteth pursed his lips "The spells guarding that Tomb are the most powerful we have available to us, it would take hours for one who was unfamiliar with their design to even attempt to gain access to them. The Vault is no different."
"Any who wanted to gain access would have to have prior information." Byleth surmised "Meaning an informant."
"Precisely." Seteth grimaced "I would rather not entertain the idea that one devoted to the Church could participate in such a blasphemous act as to steal from Seiros own Monastery...but perhaps that is what their intentions are – if they're objective truly is to turn our attention away from the other sites." he added on.
"Still, it does not surprise me that Claude came up with the similar idea." Dimitri mused with a shake of his head "The Vault was another location I did consider."
"Perhaps it is just as well." Seteth nodded his head "...I will speak with Manuela, the Golden Deer will ensure the safety of the Vault whereas you will patrol the Mausoleum." he lifted his hand and raised a single finger "This is a great honour, the Rite of Rebirth is the only time in which the Tomb of Seiros may be viewed by the believers. If there truly is an attack on such an important place...it will be in your hands to guard it."
"Understood, Seteth." Dimitri acknowledged with a determined expression "The Blue Lions will not fail you."
"I should hope not." Seteth replied, turning his attention to Byleth "The Archbishop has placed a great deal of trust in you...see that you do not break this faith."
Byleth nodded her head.
"Good." Seteth stood up straight "The Black Eagles have already been told they will patrol the outside of the Cathedral while the Knights will patrol the Goddess Tower during the Rite." he paused "...Now all that remains is to find a location for those last two."
Byleth and Dimitri bowed their heads in parting before making their way out of the door, Flayn entering as they left with small words of greetings between the three.
"Hello, Seteth." Flayn nodded to him as she entered, a small smile on her face "Was there something you needed?"
"Yes." The man nodded, turning to the girl "I have decided that you will be joining myself and Rhea for the ceremony in the Goddess tower."
Flayn regarded Seteth with a flat look for a few moments before a frown came to her face "Is this because you do not trust me to look after myself?"
"I do wish you would not phrase it like that." Seteth lamented "Please Flayn, you are still new to the Monastery and given the threat I would feel safer if you were by my side."
"I am not a child Fath-"
"Flayn." Seteth cut her off, releasing a sigh as he gave her a soft look "I realise that perhaps this might be seen as too constricting-"
"Might?" Flayn parroted with a raised eyebrow.
"-but I only do this to ensure your safety." He continued on "Please...until you begin classes I would feel a great deal safer if you were with myself and Rhea. Not to mention that I'm sure that she would appreciate the presence of both of us there during this time."
Flayn remained silent before she nodded her head "Yes, I understand. I'll join you and Rhea in the Goddess Tower."
Seteth released a heavy sigh of relief "Thank you...that is one concern I have been liberated from, in truth the threat has caused quite the stir amongst the knights. Not to mention all this talk of it being a distraction."
"Really?" Flayn blinked, leaning forwards "You mean Rhea isn't in danger?"
"She might be." Seteth replied "But there have been concerns that our attention is being focused elsewhere from the true target. In any event the Holy Mausoleum is another such place of importance for the Church...although given her previous employment it is perhaps better that she be placed in charge of guarding the resting place of the dead." he let out a small huff of amusement as his lip twitched.
Flayn raised an eyebrow at the reaction before the man noticed her attention and loudly cleared his throat "In any event, that is all I asked you here for."
"I suppose we shall have to organise new training regime's for the rest of the Blue Lions." Dimitri suggested as he and Byleth made their way back to the House Classroom "Given that we might encounter enemies, it would be best to better prepare ourselves."
"Hmm." Byleth have a hum of approval in response "Will work on-"
"There you are." The pair paused at the voice, both of them turning in its direction to see Shamir stood there with an olive skinned boy in a simple brown tunic and shorts staring at them. The woman raised an eyebrow at the pair of them "Away from a meeting with Seteth?"
"Indeed." Dimitri nodded "Myself and the Professor were discussing the possibility that-"
"The Archbishop wasn't the only target?" Shamir cut him off and finished his sentence "Yes, I got a similar suggestion from the Golden Deer."
"Ah, yes." Dimitri held a faint smile "Seteth mentioned that Claude had come to him with a similar idea."
"Holy Mausoleum?"
"Indeed."
"Hm." Shamir hummed and looked over to Byleth "In any event, I'm here to provide what support I can for the Knights, which includes the other Houses. I'm better at subterfuge anyway."
"And I'm here to do my best for Lady Rhea!" The boy blurted out before realising he'd forgotten to introduce himself "I mean. I'm Cyril, Shamir's apprentice."
"Yes." Dimitri chuckled as he turned to Byleth "You might have seen Cyril around the Monastery, although I had heard a rumour that Shamir had taken him under her wing." he sent the woman a warm smile "I see the rumours were true."
"I've been teaching him a thing or two." Shamir gave a non-committal shrug "It's either your House or the Golden Deers he tried to do his best to help. I suggested the Blue Lions given the Professor's more experienced past profession."
Byleth nodded her head, turning to Cyril "Can you swing a sword?"
The boy stared at her frozen for a few moments "Um...I-I'm better with a bow."
"Ah, Archer." She briefly darted her eyes to Shamir and then back to him "Makes sense. Teacher is an Archer."
"Well, I can learn whatever it takes to do my best for Lady Rhea!" Cyril boasted, thumping a hand on his chest "Just tell me what needs done."
Shamir's lip twitched upwards "As you can see, Cyril here adores Rhea. That aside, if you need anything ask."
Byleth nodded her head once.
"It is fortunate you happened upon us now, however." Dimitri turned his attention to Cyril "The Professor and I were about to return to the Blue Lions to begin training, if you wished to join us I would personally have no issues…" he paused and looked to his teacher "What of you Professor?"
"Depends how good with bow." Byleth replied, looking at the boy with a critical eye "How long training?"
"Three months." Cyril answered immediately "Although sometimes I have to train without Shamir being there to check my efforts. She gets important missions from Lady Rhea, after all."
"Three months." Byleth pursed her lips as she repeated the number "Will see progress."
"I won't disappoint!"
"He's not horrible." Shamir offered with a slight shrug "He can at least nock the arrow."
Byleth stared at her with the ever blank look on her face "...I see."
"Professor." Dimitri cut in "We had better return to the others and inform them of this development. As well as the appearance of Cyril in the training."
"Hmm." Byleth nodded her head, giving Shamir a side glance "Bye."
"Until next time." Shamir parted from them as the trio quickly made their way back towards the Blue Lion House.
"Which is why in the interest of cross house relations I would ask you consider taking on these two as students." Edelgard finished as she waved her hand in the direction of the two other students stood in the room.
Goetia stared at her, then moved his attention over to the brunette girl behind him with an amused smile "Hey, Gotie."
"Arnault-"
"Please, call me Dorothea." She interrupted "It is more informal." pausing the girl placed a single finger on her chin and inclined her head a few degrees to the side with an innocent expression "Unless you want me to call you Mentor or Teacher like Lysithea does?"
"...Hm." Goetia grunted "Dorothea then." he turned his attention to the one next to her "And…" then blinked once, their lip curling slightly "...He is asleep."
"Yes." Edelgard grimaced "He is...isn't he?" she gave Dorothea a single nod of the head.
The brunette gave her a winning smile before raising her leg and stamping down hard on Linhardt's foot with her boot. The green haired boy's eyes flew wide open and a strangled gasp escaped him as he leapt away from them "Wha-!?"
"Are you alright, Linhardt?" Dorothea asked with a face of perfect innocence "You look as though you've just woken up."
The boy's head darted between Edelgard and Dorothea with a mixture of suspicion and slight pain before it eventually turned and his attention fell onto Goetia "Hm? Ah yes...I was asked to come to the Library, wasn't I?"
Goetia gave a single sigh in response "...A week. I shall give them a week to prove themselves capable of learning." he paused "I shall also decide whether they are worth teaching to begin with."
"I thank you for the opportunity." Edelgard bowed her head slightly "If you will excuse me." she turned away and quickly made her exit from the room, leaving the three alone together.
"So…" Linhardt yawned "Now what?"