Chapter Text
Rhea and Seteth looked up from their conversation as the leaders of the Blue Lion and White Dragon house entered the Archbishop’s Chamber. “Ah, I’m glad our message to the two of you was made swiftly,” Seteth turned and approached the two leaders while Rhea smiled warmly at her nephew
“I am gladdened to see you in high spirits, sweet child,” Rhea greeted with twinkling eyes.
Byleth nodded at Seteth and Rhea as his own form of greeting. Dimitri gave a small bow to Rhea.
“Excuse my impertinence but has something of importance come up?” Dimitri initiated the talks, curious as to why only the two of them had been called to Rhea’s chambers and not the other two house leaders. “I can’t help but notice that your messenger only specified that only myself and Byleth were to join you. The invitation was not extended to either Edelgard nor Claude.”
Rhea and Seteth shared a glance before Seteth let out a heavy sigh. “I’m afraid you are indeed correct in your observation Dimitri. The church has decided that for this month’s mission the White Dragons are to join the Blue Lion house in their upcoming mission alongside the Knights of Seiros,” Seteth spoke causing Dimitri to raise a brow.
“Alongside?” Dimitri asked aloud. “I was under the notion that the White Dragon house was meant to act as a replacement for the knights so as to not extend the nights beyond their capabilities?”
“Normally that would be so, however, due to extenuating circumstances we’re requiring Byleth in his official capacity rather than as a student should the need to deal with the Western Church arise. As such the Knights of Seiros will still be accompanying the two houses on this mission,” Seteth gave a noticeable grimace as he finished.
Dimitri was slightly startled when the boy next to him became rigid like a spear.
“Has there been any complications with the Western Church as of late? As I last recall, there have been rumors of discontent before Father was sent to investigate alongside the knights.” Byleth asked, an undercurrent of concern lacing his words.
“I’m afraid so, sweet child,” Rhea’s brows tightened by the narrowest of margins, the motion noticeable by Byleth causing a well of worry to form within. “We’ve received reports from both the Kingdom and Jeralt that the Western Church have been rallying troops from places unknown against the Central Church, along with sowing discontent and unrest with the minor nobility.”
Byleth could have cared less about everything she’d said at the moment, one thing more important than anything else. “Is Father alright?”
Rhea gave a gentle smile at his concern, an easing one this time much to Byleth’s almost palpable relief. “Jeralt, Alois, and the knights are well. They’re currently relaying information back to us as they continue to keep an eye on the situation at hand.”
Seteth spoke back up. “As the Western Church has begun showing hostility towards the Central Church it has been decided by Lady Rhea that we must do all that we can to quell our other half. To this end, we are sending the two of your houses, alongside the knights to Castle Gaspard to meet with Lord Christophe who has agreed to assist us in this endeavor.”
“Lord Christophe?” Dimitri hummed as his brow furrowed, hand cupping his chin in thought. “If I recall correctly, he is the new Lord of Castle Gaspard. Lord Christophe is of a minor house and took lordship after he graduated from Garreg Mach in 1160 from his father, Lonato Gildas Gaspard. He is also the adopter brother of one of my housemates, Ashe.”
“That is all indeed correct,” Seteth nodded in confirmation. "He has agreed to join with us alongside the rear-guard; which consists of the aforementioned groups. Jeralt and his battalion shall be acting as the vanguards of this endeavor.”
“You shall also be joined by one of our strongest knights to ensure all goes smoothly. She also has a long friendly history with Lord Christophe,” Rhea added on just as the doors to her chamber opened with a groan.
“Lady Rhea, you sent for me?” a feminine voice asked as the sound of plate-mail greaves clanked against the marble floor. The person in question had tanned skin with eyes of shining blue and light blonde hair. Donning armor of cream and cloth of burgundy red, alongside a unique bone sword with multiple protrusions, there was only one person this could have been.
Cassandra Rubens Charon, once operating under the moniker of Thunderstrike Cassandra for her ability to wield one of the ten Relics: Thunderbrand during her days as Kingdom nobility. Nowadays she was better known as one of the Knights of Seiros under a new name: Thunder Catherine.
Noticing the other two presences within the chamber, she smiled at both Byleth and Dimitri. “Hey kiddo, how’re you doing? Good to see you again, your highness.”
“Catherine.” Byleth nodded in kind at the blonde blue-eyed knight.
Dimitri gave a more spirited response in comparison. “Lady Cassandra, it’s wonderful to see you again!”
“A-ah-ah,” Catherine shook her head, stopping him. “I go by the name Catherine now.”
“As it seems Dimitri is already well-acquainted, we shall continue with the debriefing,” Seteth spoke up, interrupting any further conversation so that they could continue onwards.
“Catherine shall be leading the knights whom the two houses shall be accompanied by. She shall also be assisting in assuring that everything goes smoothly with Lord Christophe and his retinue,” Rhea explained serenely. “As you both well-know, she is one of our bravest and strongest knights, reaching the ranks of the Knight-Captain and Lieutenant; Jeralt and Alois.”
“This mission should also prove enlightening for the both of you. Byleth, in that it will be your first opportunity in repairing the relations between the Western and Central Church,” Rhea explained before looking towards the blonde-haired prince. “It shall also be a good opportunity for you to further increase your relations with the minor nobility of the Kingdom.”
“I will try my best, Lady Rhea,” Dimitri inclined his head minutely, agreeing with her insight.
Byleth, on the other hand merely nodded. “I shall do what I can that is within my power to restore the peace. I can promise nothing more if the Western Church wishes to continue on this path.
Rhea nodded in kind in solemn sorrow, understanding the underlying message beneath his words.
Should the Western Church continue on their path of rallying troops and causing civil unrest, Byleth would have no choice but to completely dismantle their other half for the greater good of Fódlan. If the Western Church wished to start a war, then the Central Church would finish it.
“If possible, find out what you can about their reasoning behind their actions,’ Seteth implored. “If we can understand their reason, then perhaps we may be able to fix whatever may have happened.”
“I will do what I can.”
“That is all that we can ask for,” Rhea said. “The knights shall be ready to depart in a half-moons time, till then continue with your studies and prepare yourselves. War zones are never the most predictable of places so you all must be ready for whatever challenges you may face. You’re dismissed.”
Both Byleth and Dimitri nodded. “Understood.”
“So, this is where you all went off too.” Claude’s voice rang out as he entered the training grounds, the sounds of sparring ringing as Felix, Sylvain, and Ingrid sparred, and the sounds of bowstrings snapping back into place as Cyril and Ashe shot arrows into wooden dummies with quiet thunks.
“Edelgard thought you all were called onto some important mission or something,” he continued as he approached Dimitri and Byleth, the two sitting on a bench, hunched over a map while Dedue stood tall behind his liege. Around the training hall were the other members of the Blue Lions and White Dragon house, Annette, Mercedes, and Flayn working on their magic.
“Claude,” Dimitri greeted as he looked up with a nod at his dark-skinned friend. Byleth didn’t say anything and continued to draw on the map.
“Woah, this is some pretty serious stuff here By,” Claude remarked with a raised brow, noticing exactly what his friend was marking along the map splayed in front of him. He could see from a glance what seemed like routes from the monastery to the kingdom, somewhere along Magdred Way to what was circled as the Western Churches base of operations. “Guys, what’s going on?” he asked, the question more directed at Dimitri since it seemed Byleth was in his own world.
Dimitri gave a heavy sight as he ran a gauntleted hand through his fettucine-noodle hair. “Our houses have been assigned together for this month-”
“What you got Byleth this month? Man, that sucks. I was hoping I’d be getting him this week,” Claude interrupted with an exaggerated pout, Dimitri glaring at him for the interruption.
“As I was saying…” Dimitri gave another pointed glare, “… our houses have been assigned a joint mission this month. It seems there is a rebellion to the west with the church’s counterparts. We shall be going with the knights to Castle Gaspard to collect assistance before confronting the Western Church.”
“…What?” Claude asked concernedly, clearly taken aback by the mission they’d been assigned. “This sort of stuff is way too early for us, isn’t it?”
“The blue lions are going as an ancillary force, not the leading force. The Knights of Seiros shall be leading this mission for the most part whilst I shall be attending in an official capacity,” Byleth suddenly spoke up as he placed down his charcoal pencil, satisfied with his work. “Where’s Edelgard? It is unlike her to be away from such talks.”
Claude was once more taken aback by his friends’ sudden addition to the conversation but merely shrugged at his words. “Eh, last I saw she was heading into town with Dorothea and Petra. Girl stuff I guess? Shopping? Who knows.”
“I see,” Byleth muttered. He really didn’t but it would be awkward to leave his friend in silence
“It seems at least one of my house members is excited for our upcoming mission,” Dimitri raised a point as he gave a nod in Ashe’s direction, if one looked closely they could almost see a small grin burgeoning from his lips.
“He has been vocal about wishing to see his adopted brother,” Dedue’s deep timbre added to the conversation almost quietly, but with how deep his voice was it was actually quite noticeable. It was sometimes jarring to remember that the Duscur giant was there with how stoic and silent he was at times.
Claude idly wondered if Dedue and Byleth had a no-emotion competition which of the two would win.
Dimitri smiled at that. “Yes, it will be a good chance for him to reconnect with Lord Christophe and his siblings at Castle Gaspard after all is said and done. At least, if that would be allowed?” The last part was directed at Byleth.
Byleth mulled it over for a moment. “I do not see why it would be a problem. We should be able to spare a few days to allow for family to speak to each other,” he finally said after a moment. “I shall bring it up with Catherine at a later date. I do believe she would be receptive of the idea, I imagine she wishes to have time to talk to Lord Christophe as well.”
Footsteps were heard as three people moved towards them, causing the three leaders to stop in their discussion and look up. The four found Sylvain, Ingrid, and Felix walking towards them finished with their spar.
“Boar.” Felix acknowledged Dimitri’s presence with the barest of actual acknowledgment before he looked to Byleth. “I wish to spar with you once more,” he ordered before getting a slap to his shoulder and an arm slung over his neck from Ingrid and Sylvain respectively.
“Felix! It’s rude to address his highness as such!” Ingrid scolded which was duly ignored by the heir of House Fraldarius.
Sylvain, on the other hand, swung his arm over his friend and brought him into a headlock, rubbing his knuckles against Felix skull. “This’ll be like the… what? Seventh or eighth time this month you’re challenging him? Just chill a little Felix,” Sylvain grinned but it was wiped off as his arm was thrown off and he fell to the ground in a heap.
“Not until I beat him,” Felix growled at his downed friend before turning to Byleth who was still seated and staring at him. “So? Are you up to another spar?” Felix asked twitching in anticipation.
Byleth could already tell there was going to be no way to disagree, Felix was much too stubborn in his current mindset to take no for an answer. “Very well. Rules?”
Felix grinned. “Training swords. Fódlan sword-style only. First to admit defeat or first blood.”
Ingrid shook her head but the gleam in her eye at the prospect of watching the two fight showed how eager for the upcoming spar she was. “I’ll keep score.
Claude whistled in excitement as Sylvain at some time saddled beside him, the two now eating popped buttered corn kernels that Claude procured from somewhere much to Dimitri’s discernible confusion.
Byleth sighed at Felix’s rules. Standing up and moving over to one of the many racks, he grabbed a single sword rather than his almost customary two and stood at one end of the training grounds. Felix stood opposed to him.
“Are both of you ready?” Ingrid asked.
They both nodded.
“Very well.
“Three.
“Two.
“One.
“Fight!”
It was mid-evening that found Byleth sitting on the pier of the fishing pond, the setting sun awash in colours of red, orange, and yellow as he held a fishing pole in his hands and a bucket of bait beside him.
He’d always found fishing a nice way to relax and clear the mind, and if he managed to catch a fish while he was relaxing? Well, he supposed he could add it to the food stores should he not find a use for it.
Beneath his cyan hair, his ears twitched as weight was placed on the pier, wooden planks groaning lightly as weight was applied. In the reflection of the water he could see as a man with forest green hair and beard, clad in embroidered blue cloth walked along the pier approaching him.
“I don’t suppose I could join you could I, dear nephew?” Seteth asked kindly to which Byleth silently nodded, offering some of his own bait as he did so. “Oh, thank you,” Seteth thanked, taking a herring bait from the proffered bucket, hooked it to the end of his line and cast it with a throw. Taking a seat beside his nephew he too relaxed, enjoying the setting sun and quiet afternoon ambiance.
The silence between the two was relaxing and comforting in its own way. The silence allowed the sound of birds’ cheeps as they readied themselves for the long night to be heard, the local cicada population slowly chirping as the sun began to set and the bobbing fishing float created ripples that sent the image of the evening sun in the reflection of the pond shimmering.
“It has been quite some time since we’ve done this, hasn’t it?” Seteth asked, admittedly eager to get some time to talk to his nephew.
“Two months or so I believe,” Byleth replied blankly as he kept an eye as the fishing float began to bob. “Rhea has been keeping you and Father quite busy as of late.”
Seteth let out a sigh at his words, which were quite true. With the Officer’s Academy to look after, the mounting risk of the Western Church’s actions, and the Goddess Rite soon approaching the Church of Seiros and the Officer’s Academy staff have been spread thin lately. Seteth being Rhea’s aide and advisor had a fair brunt of the tasks to attend to, leaving him little time such as this to just enjoy with people he cared about. “I’m afraid so, dear nephew. I have so little time to myself, I take respite when I do outside of sleeping and dining.”
“Do not overwork yourself Seteth,” Byleth advised before grunting lightly as his line pulled taught.
Seteth would always watch in amazement as his nephew would fish. Not because Byleth was an excellent fisher… well, he was actually, just not in the traditional sense. You see, whilst Jeralt had taught Byleth many things ranging from swordplay, close-quarter-combat, how to hunt, and how to navigate, the one thing Byleth did not teach was how to fish. This was because Jeralt was captain of the knights, he would ofttimes be inundated with work leaving him little free time during some months and unfortunately, Alois was the one to teach Byleth how to fish.
Alois wasn’t the most patient of men when it came to the art of fishing, and unfortunately, this transferred over to Byleth. Alois had a tendency to try and reel in fish with one strong pull causing his line to snap under the pressure.
But just as many things he’d learned over the years, Byleth had long since mastered the art of fishing. Seteth watched as without bothering to tire the fish Byleth simply gave a strong two-handed heave, using his body as a pivot, feet planted firmly onto wooden planks as he turned and the hook, line, and sinker alongside large fish came flying out of the water and into the second bucket, this one empty.
The bucket gave many strong rattles as the fish tried it’s darnedest to escape from the metal cylinder with little avail. Curiously, Seteth peeked into the bucket to see what type of fish it was.
Just one look told Seteth that whatever Byleth had just plucked out of the water should not have been as easily reeled as he had done. The veritable monster in the bucket seemed like it could actually flop out of the bucket with the lightest of movements and couldn’t have weighed less than fifty kilograms.
“I’m surprised your line didn’t break,” Seteth remarked as he turned to his nephew who was already putting another herring bait on the end of his line and casting it back into the pond. If he looked closely at the line it almost seemed to… gleam?
Indeed, if he looked at the line there was a certain metallic sheen to it that was barely visible under the pale moonlight.
“I asked one of the merchants for a commission of steel wire. It has served me well for quite some time now.” Byleth shrugged as cyan orbs followed the motion of the bobber. “Uncle, it has been many nights since you’ve spent time with Flayn. You need to allow time for yourself.” Byleth continued from where they’d left off.
Seteth could only pinch the bridge of his nose in annoyed frustration. He hated how little time he had now to actually spend time with his daughter. “I wish I could spend more time with Flayn,” he exhaled as he sat back down, grabbing a hold of the fishing pole as he did so, “but I have so little time free to myself, and the time that I do have is only times like these.”
“Then I can take over for you.”
“What?” Seteth looked at his nephew in confusion.
Byleth gently reeled in his line, spooling the wire before setting the pole aside to look Seteth in the eye. “I know how much Rhea needs both Father and you, but you need to rest sometimes. I miss Father and I know Flayn misses you too.”
“I-” Seteth tried to utter but Byleth gave him a look.
“None of this is a fault of your own, but it needs to be addressed,” this was one of the few times that Byleth would put his foot down against family. “Take tomorrow off to spend some time with Flayn. I’m sure I can handle your duties as tomorrow is a free day.” Byleth almost ordered, a light twitch of his lips gracing his features.
Seteth couldn’t stop the stupid smile that graced his own features. Laying down his pole, he pulled Byleth into a tight hug. “Thank you, dear nephew.”
“Think nothing of it, Uncle. You, Flayn and Rhea are as much family to me as Father is.”