Chapter Text
I was vaguely aware of the warm trickle of blood on my left arm and the stinging pain from the cut, but my focus was on the group of knights in front of me. They were escorting Yuri back to Garreg Mach. If they sentence him to death… I gripped the sword hanging by my side.
We were passing through the town leading to the monastery. It was nearing sunset. I followed, maintaining my distance, as we went up the steps, passed the gates, and into the large building.
The knights didn’t slow their pace a step. We walked straight back outside, then down another hall full of tables, before turning left. We took some stairs up to the second floor. The knights stopped in front of a pair of double doors and spoke with the guards there. The guards nodded and opened the double doors.
Hm, how do I follow them in now? I glanced around from the edge of the staircase. I was wearing a cloak to hide my sword, but it caused my attire to stand out against the other regular folks walking around.
Hurried footsteps were approaching from behind so I stepped forward. The person behind me brushed past me, rushing for the double doors. “Excuse me,” he said to the guards. “I heard what happened. Is Yuri inside?”
He knows Yuri? The guards nodded and opened the door for him to enter. Maybe I can follow him in. I stepped towards the guards.
“I’m with him,” I said, pointing at the closing doors. “His, uh, new, assistant!”
The guards glanced at each other and shrugged, before pulling the doors open for me. That worked? They really must not care.
“-pardon him!” The man I’d followed in was talking and walking forward. He was wearing an interesting red and black outfit of robes. The four knights were still standing around Yuri, and they were all facing forward, where a woman with green hair stood.
“I understand, Aelfric,” the woman said, nodding. Her gaze moved to me, and Aelfric turned towards me as well. Well, walking right in wasn’t particularly sneaky.
Aelfric’s eyes widened, while the woman’s mouth dropped open. She closed her mouth quickly and gestured at me. “Won’t you come forward, child?” she said. The knights and Yuri turned around to look at me.
Child? I glanced at Yuri. He nodded. The knights stepped aside for me to move forward.
“What’s your name?” the woman said.
My eyes slid to my left towards Yuri again. Was this lady trustworthy? Was it safe to tell her the truth? His eyes dropped down. A silent signal of yes.
“Byleth,” I said. “And you are?”
The woman smiled. “My name is Rhea. I’m the Archbishop of the Church of Serios.” I see. Aelfric walked into view, staring at Rhea.
“Lady Rhea, is this not...?” Aelfric said, waving a hand in the air towards my direction.
Rhea shook her head. “Let’s not jump to conclusions, Aelfric.” She turned back to me. “Byleth, what business do you have here?”
My left hand wrapped around my sword sheath. “I’m here to hear what you’re going to do with Yuri.”
“They’re expelling me,” Yuri said, meeting my gaze with the usual calm. Expel. That made sense.
“Only that?” I swallowed. There was no way they would let him off so easily, right? After killing a knight of Serios?
“Aelfric has pleaded for us to pardon Yuri. Usually, murdering a Knight of Serios is only punishable by death. But considering Aelfric’s pleas, Yuri will be banished to Abyss instead,” Rhea said. “That is his punishment.” Abyss? My grip tightened on my sword. That had to be some name for a dungeon or an execution block.
“Abyss is the name of the underground area beneath Garreg Mach,” Aelfric said. “Yuri will have some freedom to move around there.”
Yuri nodded. I wasn’t convinced until I saw Abyss with my own eyes.
“Then, knights, please escort Yuri to Abyss,” Rhea said. The knights nodded and headed towards the door. “Byleth, could I have a word with you?”
I grabbed Yuri’s arm as he was turning to follow the knights. “No, I’m going to Abyss too.”
Rhea nodded. “Very well. Perhaps some other time then.” The knights were waiting at the opened double doors. I dropped my grip on Yuri’s arm but he caught my hand and pulled my arm out from underneath the cloak.
Yuri stared at the cut that ran from my forearm to my elbow. I’d forgotten about it at the moment. The blood was drying out, but not before it’d stain a part of the cloak. Darn. Blood stains were tough to get out of clothing.
“Can we stop by the infirmary first?” Yuri asked the knights, releasing my hand. The knights nodded. We followed them out and down the hallway to a small infirmary. There wasn’t anyone around, just two plain beds and cabinets packed with books and crates. “Looks like Professor Manuela is out.”
Yuri rummaged through the drawers before pulling some bandages and disinfectant out. “You’re not going to just heal me?” I said, sitting down in a stool. The knights stayed near the doorway. Yuri dragged the other stool closer, while I held my arm out.
“It looks pretty shallow,” Yuri said, cleaning the dried blood off with a damp cloth.
I glanced towards the doorway where the knights were standing, then back to Yuri. “Say the word, and we’ll get out of here,” I said in a whisper.
Yuri shook his head, grabbing the disinfectant salve. “No, there’s something I have to do,” Yuri said as he applied some disinfectant to the cut.
I winced from the sting. “Ow.”
“Should have been more careful,” Yuri said, shaking his head. He was keeping his gaze down as he finished with the disinfectant and moved onto the bandages. His usual smirk was nowhere on his face. Instead, his lips were pressed tightly together. I dropped my own gaze to watch Yuri wrap the bandage around and around my arm.
I could still picture Yuri’s expression after he’d stabbed one of the knights just this afternoon. Eyes wide, face pale, and mouth hanging open. Then his eyes had narrowed and his lips tightened to a grim line.
“Done,” Yuri said, snipping off the remaining bandage roll. He stood to return the supplies to their respective locations. We joined the knights out in the hallway.
“Hey, you look familiar,” one of them said to me.
I raised an eyebrow. “What?”
“You’re one of the thieves, aren’t you?” the knight said. I glanced at Yuri. I thought they’d already known that. I’d fought off a few knights to buy time for the rest of our thieves to run away.
“No, you’re probably mistaken,” Yuri said with one of his sweet smiles. “Byleth isn’t a thief.”
“You sure?” The knight tapped the side of his helmet in thought.
“Ah, let’s get moving,” another knight said, waving us along. We went back down the stairs and along a hallway.
“Then how do you two know each other?” the first knight asked, pointing at me.
Yuri kept his bright smile on. “We’re engaged.” I almost tripped over my feet. I furrowed my eyebrows at Yuri, but his expression was unflinching. “And Count Rowe would never marry his son off to a thief.”
“Huh, I suppose,” the first knight said and shrugged. I let out a quiet sigh. That worked? Though I’d seen first hand the number of people Yuri could fool with that smile of his.
We walked outside, past some hedges then past some buildings, before approaching a tunnel. The knights continued in with no hesitation, so we followed them in. There were a few torches against the walls. The tunnel snaked left then right, always spiraling downwards. There were a few smaller paths that branched off. This was Abyss?
After a few minutes, we could see some brighter light from the end of the tunnel. I glanced at Yuri as we entered a large cavern. There were merchants set up at tents and people walking around.
“Woah,” I said. The roof of the cavern was at least two stories high. The whole place was lit up by flickering torches and lamps.
“Sir Aelfric went ahead to prepare a room for you,” one of the knights said. The knights glanced around.
“I think he said to go that way?” another knight pointed forwards.
“I’m not very familiar with this place,” a third knight said, shaking their head. We continued forward, past the merchants, then down a flight of stairs. We crossed a bridge over a small running stream then turned right down a hallway. Aelfric was standing outside of a doorway.
We stopped in front of him. Aelfric waved towards the room. There were a few sets of bunk beds and desks inside. “This is a dorm room. A few servants will bring your belongings here from your room,” Aelfric said.
A dorm room? But Yuri had been expelled! Why couldn’t he get an actual house or something? Yuri shrugged and stepped inside.
“Do you need a place to stay, Byleth?” Aelfric asked, glancing at me. He smiled.
I shook my head. “No, thank you.” I followed Yuri inside. He sat down on one of the lower bunk beds. There was someone sleeping in the top left bunk, a big dude by the looks of it too.
“I’ll try to visit again tomorrow,” Aelfric said to Yuri.
Yuri nodded. “Thank you.”
“Good night,” Aelfric said.
“Good night,” Yuri replied. Aelfric closed the door, and we listened to their footsteps fade. I sat down beside Yuri. He’d dropped his face into his hands, elbows on his knees.
“You okay?” I said.
Yuri let out a long sigh, shoulders drooping. The calm facade was melting away. I patted his back. “I’m sorry,” I said.
“For what?” Yuri said.
“If I’d been faster, or stronger…” I stared at the floor. My hand remained on Yuri’s shoulder. “You wouldn’t have had to kill that knight. I could have gotten there and done the deed.”
“No, it’s not your fault.” Yuri sat up to meet my gaze then looked away. “Besides, that wouldn’t change anything. That knight would still be dead.” He bit his bottom lip. I dropped my hand back to my side.
“He was innocent, Byleth,” Yuri said, resting his elbows on his knees again. There was a quiver in his voice.
“I know,” I said. Yuri was burrowing his face in his hands again. His whole body shook. I wrapped my arms around him. “I’m sorry.” That was the best thing I could think to say.
The next day, after Yuri assured me that I could trust Rhea, I returned to the monastery to talk with her.
“I’m so glad to see you again, Byleth,” Rhea said with a smile. For the archbishop of the Church of Serios, she sure had free time on her hands to meet me right away.
“So what did you want to say yesterday?” I said.
“Well, I was wondering if you’d share who your parents might be,” Rhea said. My parents? Really? I tried not to glare at her. Yuri had said I could trust her.
“I don’t have parents,” I said. “I’m an orphan.”
“Oh.” Rhea’s eyes widened and a hand went to her open mouth. She looked away. “I’m so sorry. I thought--”
“No, it’s okay,” I said, shaking my head.
“Perhaps I can help you then,” Rhea said.
I raised one eyebrow. “Help me how?” What, was she going to adopt me? What was with wealthy people adopting teenagers anyway? Just like with Yuri.
“You look a lot like someone I know, who had a pair of twins twenty years ago,” Rhea said. Twins? Rhea nodded with a small smile when she saw my furrowed eyebrows. “Her name was Sitri, and her husband was Jeralt, the previous captain of the Knights of Serios. Unfortunately, she passed away giving birth. Then a great fire happened, and Jeralt and the twins disappeared.” Rhea frowned, closing her eyes. “We thought we’d lost them -- Jeralt and the twins -- but I’ve always believed they were still alive.”
She looked at me, smiling. “You look so much like Sitri. You must be her daughter.”
“But, if you’re right, then where’s Jeralt and my twin?” I said.
Rhea shook her head. “I’m afraid I don’t know.”
I stared at the elaborate gold fabric lining Rhea’s dress and the enormous headdress she had on. Why was she telling me this? What could she gain from this? My trust? My help in searching for Jeralt? I sighed and said, “Is that all you wanted to say?”
“Oh, one more thing.” Rhea lifted her head up to meet my gaze. “Yuri told me you’re quite skilled at the sword and light magic and that you might benefit from enrolling in the Officers Academy.”
Rhea had to be kidding me. Enroll in the academy that’d just expelled Yuri? I shook my head. “No, thanks. Besides, there’s no way I could afford the tuition,” I said.
Rhea pursed her lips. “That’s true. The tuition costs are rather high. If you’re truly interested, though, I can find a sponsor for you.”
A sponsor? I crossed my arms and shook my head. “No thanks.” I didn’t want to be in debt to someone. “Is that all?”
Rhea forced a tight-lipped smile. “Yes, you may go now.”
“Thank you.” I bowed a bit before sweeping out of the room.
I returned to Abyss to find Yuri waiting near the entrance for me. I told him what Rhea had told me.
“Interesting,” Yuri said, resting his chin in his hand. “So Lady Rhea might know your parents.”
I shook my head. “Not very helpful though.” We were standing near at the top of the stairs. I sighed. “Anyway, I’m going to head back.” Yuri nodded. “You sure you want to stay here?” I asked, frowning.
Yuri nodded again. “Yes. It’s the only way I can atone.”
I nodded. “I understand. Should I tell the gang? Your mother?”
Yuri looked away. “You’ll have to.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a white envelope. “Could you give this to my mother?” He held it out to me.
I took the envelope and tucked it into my own pocket. “Of course. And I’ll see if the gang wants to move here,” I said.
Yuri smirked. “They will.”
I chuckled. “Yeah, I think they’ll want to move too.” I spread my arms out and Yuri stepped closer for a hug. “Take care.”
“You too,” he said. I waved at him one last time before trekking into the tunnels towards the surface. It’d be a long walk home.
After I delivered Yuri’s letter to his mother, Rose, I joined her for dinner. A simple onion gratin soup, warm and delicious with bread.
“I’m just glad he’s safe,” Rose said with a quiet sigh. Rose had even lighter purple hair than Yuri, and she liked to wear dark red lipstick. She was the one who’d taught Yuri how to use makeup.
I nodded. I told her about meeting Rhea and what Rhea had to say about my parents.
Rose’s blue eyes lit up. “Why, that’s good news, Byleth! Maybe you can find your father or brother.”
I shook my head, biting into the white bread. “I’m not going to waste my time searching for people who don’t want me.”
Rose’s gaze softened. “I’m sure that’s not true. They must have had their reasons.”
“But you don’t know that,” I said, quietly. I didn’t want to take my frustrations out on Rose. I shrugged and picked up my spoon. “It’s all right. I don’t care.”
But that was a lie, and Rose could probably tell too.
After dinner, I went to the bar next doors, where our crew could often be found. I filled them in and suggested we take another trip back to check Abyss out.
“Clearly, we’re wanted men now,” Barold said with a laugh. They were drinking from large wooden tankards of ale. “Sounds like we’d be safe in Abyss though.”
We made plans to visit Abyss in another week to scout it out.
“Would you want to move with us?” I asked Rose, once I was back home. It was a small but cozy cottage, half of it bought with money Yuri and I had scammed from nobles.
“I don’t know,” Rose said. “I’ll think about it.”
Yuri met us at the entrance of Abyss when we arrived for our visit.
“I think I’m starting to learn my way around,” he told us with his usual smile. “Shall I give you a grand tour?”
“Yes, boss!” Barold said, grinning. “Good to see you, Yuri boss!”
We followed Yuri through the marketplace. We visited the library, the pagan’s altar, and the one restaurant, if it could be called that. Yuri pointed out a small house near the marketplace. “That place is up for grabs,” he said.
We took a look. There were two bed rooms, both just large enough for a bed, a desk, and a chair. There was one bathroom, and the one open room was a combination of kitchen and dining.
“We’re gonna need a bigger place than this,” Barold said, crossing his arms.
“Yeah.” Alland nodded.
Yuri glanced at me. “Maybe it’d do for my mother, though.”
“She said she doesn’t know yet,” I told him.
We thanked the current owner for letting us take a look and left. Yuri stretched his arms up in the air. “Well, I’ve got some other things to do,” Yuri said. “You two want to just wander around?”
Alland and Barold glanced at each other and shrugged. “We can find our way around. Maybe,” Barold said.
“I’ll go with them,” I said, stepping to follow after them.
“Actually, Byleth,” Yuri said, “Lady Rhea would like to talk to you.”
“Again?” I frowned. “What now?”
Yuri shrugged. “Probably about attending the Officers Academy.”
“But I can’t afford it,” I said, throwing my arms in the air. “Does she not speak poor or something?”
Yuri chuckled. “No, I think Lady Rhea may have found someone to sponsor you.”
“But I don’t want that,” I said.
“What if I told you I’m the sponsor?” Yuri said. I raised an eyebrow at Yuri. He sighed, shifting his weight on his feet. “Look, I know you don’t like being in debt to someone, but you’re already in debt to me. So it’d be fine if that debt just got larger, right?” The familiar smirk crept back up.
“You really want me to attend this Officer’s Academy? Even though it’s the reason why we’re even here right now?” I said, waving my hand in the air.
“I think it’d be good for you.” Yuri shrugged. “I learned a lot. Think of it as finishing what I started.”
“Where’d you get the money from?” I folded my arms over my chest. There was no way Count Rowe gave him enough allowance money.
“I bargained. The money’s coming from Lady Rhea, but in exchange, I’m running errands for her,” Yuri said.
“What kind of errands?” That didn’t sound good.
“Information on Abyss. Nothing too difficult.”
I stared off to the side for a second, then back at Yuri. “You really think I should attend?”
Yuri nodded. “I’d get to see you everyday. If you bothered to come to Abyss to see me, anyway.”
“Of course I would!” I was surprised Yuri would even doubt that. I sighed. “All right. I’ll do it.”
He smiled and reached a hand out to gently ruffle my hair. I reached back to pinch his cheek. “Hey!” he yelped, while I laughed. It reminded me of the time when Yuri still had some baby fat on his cheeks, when I was taller than him.
“Fine. I’m off to go see Lady Rhea then,” I said, turning towards the exit.
Yuri nodded. “See you later.”
There were three more months until the start of the new academic year. I returned to Abyss the following month with Rose to check the place out again. The crew was preparing for the move.
“I don’t know. There’s not much sunlight here,” Rose said as we strolled around.
“There’s none at all,” I said.
“You can go to the surface whenever you want, Mother,” Yuri said. I knew he wanted her to move here. I knew he wanted her to be close. I wanted the same too.
“If not, the town outside of Garreg Mach is nice too,” I said.
Rose looked at the two of us with a soft smile. “I know. I’m thinking about it.” After that, Rose and I walked around the town ourselves. It was mostly full of merchants, devout worshippers, and people who worked for the church.
“I’m not sure I’d fit in here,” Rose told me.
The second month, I helped the crew move to Abyss. They’d bought out a large house to live in together, and they converted the first floor into a makeshift bar. The third month, I helped Rose move to Abyss. Some of the crewmates came to help us move stuff too. Rose bought the small house we’d seen previously.
“Two bedrooms? I suppose Yuri could take the other one,” Rose said.
“I don’t mind staying in the dorm rooms,” Yuri said. “There’s another guy there, Balthus, from the Alliance.”
“Oh?” Rose’s eyes lit up. “That’s wonderful! You can make a new friend. But you can come and stay with me whenever you want.”
Yuri nodded and then glanced at me. “It’ll probably be Byleth’s place for now.”
I grinned. “Nice!”