Chapter 8: The Gideon Conflict

Garland Moon 28, Imperial Year 1180

The Black Eagles and accompanying forces arrived at Castle Gaspard as the sun's light began to die out. Already they were welcomed with open arms and calls to attention from the serving staff of the modestly-sized castle.

Lonato was powerfully built, with broad shoulders a heavy chest and the conditioned arms and legs of a cavalryman. Impressive for his advanced age. His cheeks were sunken in and his brow was creased heavily with age. His hair had gone white, swept back and long; a mustache that graced his lips quite thickly. Under that was a powerful smile and generous welcome that was mirrored in his blue eyes. Whatever his advanced age it didn't let that stop him from welcoming everyone personally and showing the highest tier guests to a dining hall for some fine dining.

It was a sparse room at a glance. There were no hanging tapestries and gilded works. No suits of armor from ancient battles. Barely enough candles to keep the room alight in the failing sun. The table was long enough to fit the entire officers' roster, and furnished with foods but the volumes of meat, sides and drink did not dominate the entire surface.

What they lacked in volume they made up for in taste. The porks was delicately cut and seasoned with herbs that made it explode with flavor. The breads tasted of honey; the fish served as standout, practically dissolving on the tongue and enticing all the tastebuds.

Everyone gave praise to the chefs, and Lonato thanked Ashe for helping teach the chefs in the first place. The boy blushed at the sudden attention he got.

The meriment lasted until the plates were clean and bellies full. Leaving a few decanters of alcohol and juices behind with pitchers of water. As grim as it was after such enjoyment it was time for business.

"Baron Gideon has raised quite the army," said Lonato between swigs of his drink. "Not just his own house troops but his coffers have paid for many a mercenary as well. What we face on the field of battle just won't be his troops but sellswords of all specializations."

"Pardon my confusion," spoke Edelgard, "but we were led to believe the taxes were the source of this rebellion. How is Baron Gideon affording to hire extra personnel?"

Lonato nodded at the question. "Gideon may be taxed thrice as hard as any other lord but he makes five-fold our income at base. Even robbed as he is, his territory is still richer than mine own."

There was the subtle hint of Edelgard beating back a sigh. "He's more than well-off but still sees fit to concede to violence then."

"Peculiar, is it not? I've known the man most of my life - he's more merchant than knightly lord but he's got a valiant heart under it all. It is why when the troubles began I sent agents to look for the truth of it myself."

"And what did you learn?" asked Jeralt. But they already knew the answer.

"It's not just the taxes instigating this, mind. The regent conscripts men and women across the country without remorse or care. Yet those same troops cannot be used to patrol the roads for some madcap reason. The poor choke under taxes and turn to banditry to survive. The soldiers that should stop it are instead stolen elsewhere. The roads run red with blood and less coin come in while more is demanded out." Lonato nearly spat. "It is a vicious cycle - and Gideon is not the only one affected by it."

"How can the regent get away with such ignoble behavior?!" Ferdinand struck out.

"Because sedition is punishable by death. All those troops raised go about stomping on rebellion after rebellion. Yet never stop the bandits."

"How the hell could something like this happen?" Caspar was aghast at the noble response.

Lonato took a deep sigh. "It all goes back to the Tragedy of Duscur." The man's eyes fell upon Jeralt. "Where His Majesty, may he rest in peace, was murdered."

"And the Duscur were blamed," said Edelgard. "Though Prince Dimitri and other eyewitnesses claim otherwise."

"Men - pale as death," stated Jeralt. "Not a man of Duscur features among any of them."

"Yet the regent still!" Cristophe's hands were shaking his goblet enough to spill.

"Easy, my son. Rash action is what drove Baron Gideon to this point. We don't need you to follow in his footsteps."

Christophe met his father's gaze and slowly nodded. "Yes… of course… Father."

"I think that's been enough… rumor mongering. Let us not spoil the meal so excitedly, yes."

Though the mood seemed spoiled for some.

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"Professor, what do you think of all this?" Edelgard caught him after their dinner arrangements had dispersed.

"What do you mean?"

"This whole situation… feels unnatural. Baron Gideon should know well enough what will happen to him and his state for instigating this. Yet he insists on rebelling."

They were sent here because the Western Church was involved. "Either he cannot stand this anymore, or he's being used." Words from the classroom.

"I remember. Those do seem the most likely courses of action."

"What do you think?"

Edelgard took a moment to think. "It may be both. One does not rise up without cause; nor be reckless without someone prodding them on."

"Correct."

"Not something I'd want to be correct about." Edelgard met her familiar eyes with his. "What we're about to do is kill people. Not bandits like Zanado. Which are so ebay to excuse. But citizens of a country, fighting for their own justice. Soldiers. Fathers. Sons. Families will be torn apart. Civilians will inevitably be caught up in the fighting as well."

"That is the cost of fighting for your beliefs."

"You say it so simply. Like you've never wavered on your path."

"I do what needs to be done."

"Did that include saving me in Remire?"

"Of course."

For some reason she smiled. "You are so much like I imagined a knight would be. Yet yourself all the same."

"What?" He had no idea what that meant.

"Nothing, my teacher. I hope you have pleasant dreams tonight."

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Ashe controlled his breathing. Slowly drew his bow and lined up the shot. In a careful and controlled motion he pulled out the arrow, pulled back the string and fired. With a twang it sunk itself into the center of the target in the courtyard. One of dozens now embedded in the straw. All of his shots had been on point. If he kept it up tomorrow he'd be fine.

Shooting against real people.

This would be it. The minor problems the Blue Lions were tasked with the past moons didn't involve fighting. Killing. Tomorrow or the day after he'd be taking lives. Taking lives to save more. Doing wrong to stop a bigger wrong. Just like when he was thieving. Maybe there was another way, like Lonato taught him… but if there was Lonato already would have explored it. No. This, this had to be done.

Ashe steadied his breath and sank another arrow.

There was a scuffle around a pillar as he did so. "Hello?" he asked. He should be alone. Why would someone be hiding?

Ashe put down his bow and checked around… to nothing. Because whoever it was had moved opposite him. "Come on now." He picked up his pace and eventually managed to catch sight of her. Where she stood still and shook in place. She was so rarely in public it took him a while to remember who she was. Even on the trip back home she kept herself scarce. "Oh, hello Bernadetta. What were you doing hiding behind this piller?"

"Who, me, hiding? Why would I be hiding?" she rattled off rather quickly.

"Well, if you weren't hiding what were you doing?"

"Nothing - none of your business."

"I suppose it isn't."

"Y-yeah, that's right! Just forget you ever saw me."

"I don't know about that but if you don't want me to bother you I won't. I'll just go back to my bow practice then." Ashe turned to walk off.

Only for Bernadetta to cut him off. "W-wait."

"Do you need something?" The girl was acting pretty random. Was she feeling alright? Maybe he should get a doctor.

"How did you manage to hit your target every time."

"Well, I took my time, controlled my breathing and made sure I drew appropriately to the range."

"That's what I do too but then I keep missing. I don't want to miss. If I miss and someone gets close then it's all over for Bernie!"

Melee was an archer's weakness after all. "Are you proficient with other weapons? I'm quite handy with an ax to cover if anyone gets inside my bow range."

"I don't want them to get close at all!"

It was really odd she was coming to him for this. Wouldn't her own house help her better. Still, he wasn't gonna turn down someone in need. "If you show me how you shoot I could give you the pointers I know. Though I doubt a noble as yourself would need them."

"Who cares if it's noble or not as long as it keeps me from being hurt."

"Let's begin then."

But every so often an arrow went completely off target. And it was really easy to see why. "You're closing your eyes when you shoot."

"Yeah! I don't want to see someone get shot!"

"That doesn't strike you as contradictory?"

"You're gonna need to choose: keep your eyes open and stop missing or close them and let someone get in."

"Or - or I get someone else to stay in front so I don't have to do either."

"Protecting someone in trouble is what a knight is supposed to do. Probably not quite like this though." He'd just have to rise to the occasion.

Ashe finished his early night training and headed back into the castle. He'd spend as much time with his siblings as he could.

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"Hail, Alois, have you by chance seen Bernadetta around?" asked Ferdinand.

"Can't say that I have, Ferdinand." The vetern knight was checking over the pack animals kept nice and warm in the castle stables. "Is she not in her room?"

"I was taking in the intricacies of the castle when my path brought me to our lodgings. There I saw the door to her room ajar. I know she prefers the night to day, but to do so in an unfamiliar locale has me worried."

Alois set aside the riding harness he was hefting and strode closer. "That is a problem then, have you told the professor then?"

"I have not. If this turns out to be something trivial, such an uproar over the idea of her missing could cause her to recede even further into her isolation."

"I suppose that makes sense." Alois turned back to some of the followers. "All right boys, I'll be going with Ferdinand here to seek out an absent student. If you see her find us."

"Please, no shouting. Do not try and frighten the poor dear. She is quite... excitable."

The others sounded off and Alois joined Ferdinand on a tour along the castle's permissises. Spreading the news to each sentinel they could and keeping things as quiet and contained as they rightly should.

Sometimes it tended to be hard. As Alois did not seem much for keeping things quiet. When Ferdinand approached him about it he boasted "This is my inside voice!".

"You know Ferdinand," said Alois, "this kind of work isn't something I see students doing all that often."

"Concern for my classmate is only right."

"You'd be surprised how often I've seen the opposite."

"It seems there is some story behind such a thing."

"Aye. A few months ago there was a kidnapping and—" Alois slowed down at his surprising information. "Forget you ever heard that."

"How could I?" Ferdinand had to affix a look of disgust. "You imply a student from a prior year is missing and their classmates cared nothing? That would be deplorable. Not noble at all."

"Not noble is right." Alois swept his hand through his hair. "They all gave up within a week."

"They are a disgrace to all nobility."

Alois gave a boisterous laugh. "Not what I expected a noble to say."

"To be noble is not just a state of birth. It is a way of living. Whether an aristocrat or baker's scion proper conduct cares nothing for class lines. Even if we nobles must excel it is to set an example and lead. Those who abandon such a calling cannot be called true nobility."

"I think I like your definition of true nobility. Almost makes me wish I was as true noble as my blood."

"You are nobility, Alois?"

"Kingdom born and bred! Though that was thirty some odd years ago. Parents were wiped out in some infernal plague."

"My condolences. Is such an event how you came to be involved with the Church of Seiros."

"Aye, the captain picked me up one day and I've been following him ever since through thick and thin. Whatever title I once had is long collapsed. Quite… ignoble, eh?"

"Errr, right. But regardless certainly such loyalty is noble in and of itself."

Their patrol had brought them back to the quarters loaned to them by Lord Lonato. And Bernadetta came running down the hall and shut herself in her room right away.

"Well, that's anti-climatic," said Alois.

"I am happy she's unharmed."

"Aye, definitely."

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Jeralt stood up on the battlements of the castle. Looking north over the darkness. The castle town with its torches and lambs still glowed orange in the east but the north was pitch-black plains on a cloudy night. If there was an attack the enemy could sneak up without anyone noticing. The few scattered guards up here, or in the towers would be blinded by their torches. Maybe he'd convince Byleth to get a few of the students to set up proper night watch.

Or maybe his paranoia was starting to consume him more and more. They were safe from harm. There were plenty of knights - Seiros and Kingdom - here.

But sending students to put down a rebellion that had almost nothing to do with the church… Maybe he was taking it as a warning to not run away.

What a sad sack the Blade Breaker had turned into.

"Ah, Sir Jeralt." Lord Lonato announced himself on arrival. "The view here is much better in the sunlight."

He gave a sharp laugh. "Just thinking how the battle's gonna go. And drop the 'sir'. You look far older than I do, it's weird."

"Very well." The man took it with good cheer. "Thinking of the battle that won't occur anywhere near my territory."

"I've long since learned to never take anything as impossible."

"Too true. My guards can run double duty shifts until we depart on the 30th." Lonato locked those cold blue eyes directly against Jeralt's own. "You've been informed of my suspicions, correct?"

"That the Western Church is somehow involved in this?"

"Aye. Shortly after Duscur they approached my son in a conspiracy to kill Lady Rhea."

"I know, Christophe already told me."

"He—" Lonato nearly fell off the ramparts. "He's too good-hearted for this world."

"I'd prefer the world have more like Christophe."

"So would I." Lonato sighed. "Every day I give thanks to the goddess for his insight in turning down such a heretical offer."

"I won't tell Lady Rhea, don't worry. Neither will my son, considering their history too."

"Mine always was talking about how courageous yours was." lonato smiled. "I was furious - flabbergasted - worried. Every emotion known to man when he returned from the war. I didn't talk to him for a week after such a reckless act. Then I made sure to hug him every day for a month." Lonato chuckled. "I don't think he ever forgave me for that."

Emotions running free were a good thing, sometimes.

"It's why I worry about him, and the future of Faerghus. King Lambert was a man with a good heart too, and yet it cost him his life."

Dammit, it made all kinds of sense. "The church has tried for years to hunt down the pale men. There's been nothing."

Lonato slowly nodded and rested his hands on the stone walls. "If the Empire was behind this then they simply would have invaded after. That means…"

It was someone inside the Kingdom. But the number of people who could do something like that was too small to not be treason.

Lonato sighed. "Rufus is not the man I served in my youth." He looked forlorn into the north. Towards Fhirdiad. Towards the regent. "Duscur hardened him in a way I never expected. He was never a man given to kindness… but the stark brutality he now condones would have shook the young him to fainting." Lonato gripped his hands tightly. "Some days I wonder if it's the regent's goal to cause all this chaos intentionally."

That didn't make a damn lick of sense no matter how Jeralt looked at it. "Well as long as good men like you stick around for Prince Dimitri things should pick up."

"That's a hope a lot of us share. Now." Lonato pulled out a bottle of wine. "I've heard you're quite the active drinker, Jeralt."

"I had plenty at dinner."

"Faerghus 1076."

A damn good vintage. "I shouldn't be drinking on duty anyway." Not after what he said to Patricia. "But hell, we've got a few days." Even after his concerns about being attacked.

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Christophe was following the halls around. Trying to work out some of the nervous energy shaking his legs. The same before every rebellion. It'd be a lot easier if Cassandra was here. The door to his father's study was abroad, a shadow moving under the flickers of candlelight. Christophe entered, spotted the green-haired young man. "Linhardt, yes?"

"Yes, that is my name."

"What are you doing?"

"I thought it would be obvious I was reading. But I'm reading."

"My father always was free with inviting others to his study." A dozen packed bookcases, reading tables and chairs all brightened by the candles and fireplace. A few pitchers of brandy still locked in their cabinet.

"Some of these books are written from the perspective of the Western Church. They're much different from the tenants in Garreg Mach."

"How so?"

"They're even more violent, if you can believe it. They call for reprisal against violence even harsher than the archbishop. They espouse the Four Saints as almost equal to Saint Seiros herself. Small wonder there's been more and more talk of them splitting off."

Christophe had to blink a few times at the sudden reformation of information. "That's… impressive."

"It seems rather obvious if one looks at it. Still, the tenants of Central won't allow something like that. It'll likely come to blows if something does happen."

A war. Senseless killing by people who should be respecting one another. Just like they'd be doing in a few days. Precisely why he kept it hidden all these years. He still had friends in the Western Church. If any of them died...

"It seems I bored you. Good."

"No, it's all quite fascinating."

"I don't find the idea of war so fascinating."

"I… neither do I personally."

"But aren't you a career soldier?"

"Someone has to be the shield of the people."

"Aren't we going to be killing the shield of the people in a few days?" The boy's complexion just paled at the mention. "Ugh, maybe I can ask the professor if I can adjourn for the battle instead."

"You'll get used to it." He did. After all.

"It's not something I want to get used to. The blood. The killing. It's so needless and barbaric."

Yes. Yes it was. "Sometimes there are things that can't be conceded. Even with the threat of death."

"I'd heartily disagree." He sighed. "But then again my hands have already killed. So any words I say would just be hollow."

"No. Only those who have balanced the weight of a life can truly understand its heaviness."

"I'm not one for heavy burdens."

Christophe gave a biting laugh. "Byleth will have you strong as an ox before you go back home to Adrestia."

"That sounds like a lot of work I have no interest in doing."

"I hope you don't have to, kid." Yeah. The less children exposed to the ugliness of battle the better.

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It was his job to be paranoid so Hubert was spending all evening ruminating over every single possibility regarding Gideon's rebellion that he had come up with over the past month. None of the conclusions were promising and all were disastrous.

This whole situation had the wretched stink of Thales's shadowed hand in it. The idiocy of the rebellion only made sense if more support was arranged in advance. In regards to positioning that meant either Gaspard or the Western Church. Considering where the Eagles were sequestered the latter option had lower chances whilst the former had only risen.

If the worm had pressured the snake and used the regent's reputation as a believer to slip men inside the Western Church they could have operated efficiently in the dark. A few letters here, a few promises there and suddenly rising up against Faerghus's boot was looking more promising. Destabilize the Kingdom even further for the coming war.

Or that was how they'd present it to Lady Edelgard. But neither was so shallow as to take their information and intentions at face. Everything was hidden by masks and veiled threats. It would be a delight to crush their ambitions when they no longer held their hostages. When every nest they'd made throughout Fódlan was marked for destruction.

"Oh, Hubie, what are you doing here glowering in the dark?" the cheerful tone of Dorothea broke his silence.

"I am simply thinking over what your enemy intends."

"Does it really matter why some noble is rebelling when all it does is get people killed?"

He chuckled. "But of course. To understand what drives a man forward means to know what to exploit for your benefit. Words you should take to heart."

"I know plenty what men want, thanks." Her tone took flat with disgust at Adrestian nobility. "But I wonder if you know what our dear professor wants."

The man was a damn enigma. The Knights of Seiros, the clergy and support staff: none of them could offer anything useful about him. He'd lived in Garreg Mach his entire life and not one of them ever spoke of his personality or aspirations. No vice to cripple him with. He was a mindless tool of the church. That made him dangerous. But predictable in the right circumstances. "I am not concerned with the professor."

"Even should Edie have her eye on him?"

Hubert grunted at the insinuation. "Lady Edelgard's future is not something that can be restrained by someone like him." One day they would come to blows and she would end him. Small bits of favor or no. "Are you attempting to rile me, Dorothea?"

"Talking about Edie is the only thing that does get you 'riled', doesn't it?"

"Would you prefer we turn this conversation around on yourself? Why exactly did you seek me out? This corner is quite secluded."

She giggled. "You looked like you needed someone to cheer you up."

"I always look like that."

"Yes. Yes you do." She smiled regardless.

It was not the worst way to spend time. Even if it was not ideal.

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"Ah, heya Petra."

"Hello, Caspar. Have you be needing me?"

"No, just wanted to say 'hi.'"

"Then you have said it." She was wrapped super tight in thick shirts and boots and coats. And she was still shivering.

"Are you gonna be able to fight with all that clothing on?"

"Fódlan is cold. Even the Empire is more cold than not."

"Huh, really?"

"Brigid is much hotter. You would not be wanting to wear even your vest in Brigid."

"Uh, wow." Good thing the Empire didn't need to invade.

"Faerghus is cold. How did anyone choose to live here?"

"I dunno." Father said something about them being ungrateful but that was like, 300 years ago.

"Perhaps I should be learning such a thing in the future."

"Good luck."

"I will make luck good myself!"

Garland Moon 29, Imperial Year 1180

The whole day was spent getting the rest of the battle plan down and confirmed. Making sure every commander they had knew exactly the strategy at play. Jeralt and his Knights of Seiros would move out later in the day alongside Christophe and most of Gaspard's troops. They'd advance in concert with the larger operational forces sent by the surrounding Kingdom forces. Faster even, at Lonato's suggestion. Gideon's band of sellswords and loyal men still wouldn't be a match for the knights. Once the situation was under control they'd send word to the Black Eagles and Lonato to advance the remainder of their forces.

Byleth made sure the Black Eagles were as ready as they would be. They'd passed their certification exams with excellent scores. Edelgard, Caspar and Bernadetta donned flexible leathers and hoisted new iron weapons. Hubert, Dorothea and Linhardt were readied with new monk robes and expanded magical prowess. Ferdinand took but some staunch metal chestpiece and some arm guards. Petra now favored reinforced padded linens with some joint protection in metal. The rest of the Eagles some mishmash of the above as well.

Jeralt, Christophe and the hundreds they'd lead were readied up shortly after noon.

"Wish I could have stuck together, kid," Jeralt said to him. "You aren't gonna get much done coming up behind and I was looking forward to seeing how you led."

"Better than you." Huh. Where did that come from?

"Was that a joke? Better than Alois even if it wasn't."

Jeralt chuckled. "Maybe teaching the brats has rubbed off on you. Now I'd really sad we aren't gonna work together. Stay safe, kid."

"You too, Father."

Jeralt took it with a solemn nod. "Knights of Seiros, move out!"

Jeralt and his caravan of troops began their dust-trailed journey north. Byleth watched them leave until the last cart was out of sight and even the dust clouds had settled down.

Garland Moon 30, Imperial Year 1180

The midnight black path was illuminated only by a handful of dim torches. The less traveled ground spotted with bits of grass between rocks and dirt.

Baron Balor Cian Gideon rode at the head of his refugee column. His personal guard of horse archers followed closely. Not letting their own exhaustion on forced march through two days damper their spirits.

They were the only ones.

The rest of his personal troops tried their best but they could not hold back all their scorn. The mercenaries were worse. Only the promise of increased payment kept them from turning on the convoy. And the civilians - his people. The tears of children only kept quiet by impoverished mothers. Hungry stomachs rumbled as much as horse hooves. If they did not get Lonato's supplies they'd never be able to make it across the border to Imperial territory.

And the supplies weren't there.

"This is the arranged meeting point, what are Lonato's men doing?" Flickering orange glows revealed shadowed guardsmen running atop the wall. And after, the ringing of a bell. Rousing the garrison to waking! "This was not the plan."

"M-my lord what's going on!"

"I don't know." The convoy was supposed to rendezvous with Lonato's men and slip south towards the Imperial border with none being the wiser. He'd followed through on his part of the deal to the letter. Why had Lonato changed?

Because he'd never intended to follow through in the first place! It was all some trick to leave his forces tired and hungry while the man could pick them apart with ease!

Damn him! Damn him!

"Lord Lonato has betrayed us! Bring up everyone who can fight and get them ready! We'll set the castle town aflame and break south using the fire as a distraction!"

"My lord that's—!"

"It's our lives or theirs! Get the convoy moving regardless we'll hold them off!"

Baron Gideon readied his old trusted bow and kicked his horse forward.

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The ringing of the bell spurred Byleth to action. Armor donned and two swords of iron at his side he dashed from his room. No plumes of smoke or gouts of fire assailed his eyes from the castle town. This was not a bandit raid. This was a professional attack. Baron Gideon had outmaneuvered them and struck south.

Byleth ran the halls he'd memorized quickly and gathered together the Black Eagles and their guests. He assembled them in the courtyard. Alois and the Broken Blades readied. Lonato was gathering his own guard whilst others ran up the walls. In the dark they'd be targets.

"Who's attacking?" Caspar asked the question.

Confusion, but not fear, was the common emotion on the Eagles. "Our enemy is most likely Baron Gideon," said Byleth. "Remember what I taught you. Don't overextend and listen to my orders. This battle I will participate more freely than Zando. Edelgard, you have Alois and the Broken Blade again." Byleth gave the rest of them their command orders in the tents resting outside. With veteren sergeants they'd be assembled and ready.

"Gideon's advance party is trying to slip around into the castle town," Lonato announced. "All forces rendezvous with the militia and don't let him intrude on our land!"

"Ashe, keep watch around the town perimeter with an archer battalion. Support Lonato's defense."

"Y-you got it, Professor." His hands were shaking. He was pale even in the moonlight.

"Misty and Brocke are safe within the castle," said Lonato. "Keep your arm steady and heart true and we'll get through this."

"Right. Right." He repeated to himself.

"How will you arrange your forces, Professor?"

The darkness would impair their vision. A use of Divine Pulse to review the lay of the land would provide less benefit than keeping it in reserve. The timing of the attack, the speed, the situation to the north.

"We'll advance on the enemies' vanguard and beat them in battle."

"There's no need to strike when we can defend easily."

"The enemy forces have slipped the encirclement because they've moved fast at night with minimal baggage. Their forces are exhausted from the march and can't match us in direct combat. This attack wasn't planned, something's forcing them to act. Hunger, most likely. Since they can't resupply they'll attempt to sow confusion by striking at the town itself and avoid further combat. If we move a unit forward that will divide their forces and throw them into chaos instead. If they attempt to avoid us we'll fall on their flank; if they engage they'll have to break off smaller units to strike the town which you can defeat much easier."

The acumen caught Lonato off guard. "If they leverage theri full force on you instead?"

"They won't be able to fight with precision in this darkness. They can't leverage their full force so easily and overwhelm us because they won't realize it's only the church forces."

"Christophe wasn't wrong about you." Lonato turned to his men. "You heard the man! All Gaspard troops get to protecting the town and castle." Without further discouragement the troops on the ground rallied off with Ashe along.

"My teacher…" said Edelgard. "I can't believe you did that."

"Huh?"

Hubert answered, "Even if Lord Lonato is a mere feudal lord and a devout adherent to the Church of Seiros, your authority in overruling him is quite impressive."

The way Hubert narrowed his eyes brought to mind two more words the student had refused to say. And dangerous.

But that could wait until later.

"Edelgard, Alois you have the front with the Broken Blade. Caspar, you'll have the left flank; Ferdinand the right. Hubert, Dorothea and Linhardt will secure the center. Bernadetta behind. Petra and I will intercede as reinforcements if either flank is pressed too hard."

"That will leave our front dangerously thin," spoke Hubert.

"They can handle it."

"Naturally." It was not quite a smile that accompanied those words.

"I don't want to fight in the dark," screeched Bernadetta. "I won't be able to see anything! I might shoot someone!"

"By keeping our formation dense your archers can arc fire without concern for hitting our own forces." The girl seemed slightly mollified by the answer.

"I can't wait to get in there and tear them up!" Caspar shouted.

"Maintain formation at all times until I give orders otherwise. If you get stricken outside our range we may never be able to recover you or the flow of battle."

"Uh, right, ugh, that makes sense."

"I will hold the right without equal! It shall be a shining bastion of defense that not even Edelgard can match," Ferdinand boasted.

"Keep vigilant. Your flank will be hardest pressed."

"Let them come and break on my lance!"

"We shall be seizing the victory!"

Byleth switch to his limited Brigid, "Commands may be this."

"I understand," she said back in Fódlan.

"You're all way too fired up for this," said Dorothea.

"I agree. There are better things to be happy about. Like sleeping." Linhardt yawned. "Hmmm, normally I only yawn during the day."

"If the enemy breaks into the center I need you two to remain in place. Petra's unit and I will deal with any enemies that threaten you."

Dorothea giggled. "Make sure to keep that promise, Professor."

"We will cut down all the enemies!" Petra clenched her fist in determination.

"Get to your commands."

The Black Eagles broke their formation. All save Edelgard with Alois by her side. He said, "Much as the Blade can handle it don't you think this is a bit too… errr, risky?" He seemed a shade paler in the light.

"The enemy can't use an effective cavalry charge and their horse archers can't abuse their mobility on unfamiliar terrain. Keeping a strong formation with flexible reserves is our best option."

"Maybe if we had a better gauge of the enemies' numbers…"

"The force is minimal. If possible, one of many using the cover to come south. A larger force would have been tracked by my father."

"You're even better at the war stuff than I remembered. All right, we'll show'em how the Blade fights. We'll do old Jeralt proud." Jeralt followed his boast with a laugh.

Byleth gave the nod to Edelgard, who ordered, "Broken Blade, move out!" With more acceptance than the Red Canyon the Broken Blade fell in behind Edelgard's orders. The mixed forced rendezvoused with the other Black Eagle troops and led the way forward.

I must remind you, Sothis's voice intruded, you have but three uses of the Divine Pulse. This battle may require all of them.

This was not a battle that would be won without fatalities. He would accept that going in. There would be sacrifices and they would be necessary.

Battle was already rising even before they stepped through the northern reaches of the area. No plumes of fire had stricken the township just yet but already were Lonato's troops pressed on the ground outside their wall and gate. It was not a fortress town designed to wage war against its allies in the north. The wall was lower, thinner and already raining dead men from the parapets. The torchlight made them obvious targets.

To the ground the two forces clashed with Lonato gathering the upper hand. His heavy infantry were able to stand their ground against the horsemen assailing them but they numbered too few to maintain their position for long.

"Edelgard, Caspar: Advance and sweep them from Lonato."

The two units moved forward and fell on the horsemen's flanks. Some of them had been expecting the attack and gave a good fight of it but the fresh arms overpowered them quickly. Lonato's men rallied and threw back the rest who jotted off into the darkness.

"Into formation." The church forces rallied into the ordered formation. "Advance." Into the darkness. Plops of orange giving vision to the occasional foe. A torch left smoldering on the ground between the dead. Slow and steady they advanced. Arrows firing in the darkness in every way.

With a thunderous crash another wave of horses ran into Edelgard at the front. But the Broken Blade did not break. Against those axes they advanced and cut their foe down without hesitation. Without hesitation the horse kept coming.

"Bernadetta, fire."

"Shoot, shoot!" She arched her bow well up and her and her troops fired without sight. The arrows fell into the infantry advancing behind the horses. The calvary did not disengage for a reason. Arrow-spotted soldiers filled in the holes by the dying horses. Falling to the same axes that felled their vanguard, yet bleeding the Blade all the same.

Byleth focused his ears, seaking the hoofbeats in the darkness. "Ferdinand, prepare." His unit braced spears but a moment before another cavalry charge smashed into their death. The second wave cut their reckless charge short and began swinging in swords. The height compensating for the reach of the lance and they began a bloody brawl with Ferdinand's flank.

"Dorothea, lay some thunder down." The bolts of lightning fell on her command and earned space for Ferdinand's troops to advance forward and force a retreat. Edelgard was still engaged with infantry and breaking formation to pursue was too dangerous. If they circled around to the rear… "Hubert, miasma barrage to our southeast, cut them off entirely."

Hubert chuckled into the night as he sent orbs of darkness deeper than the night into the blackness around them. Ravenous screams of pain accompanying it and the desperate retreat of horses with shouts.

Night vision was starting to come into play. The moonlight was shining even brighter now.

Flickers of the enemy massing in the beyond. Arrows of their own assailing the formation as they spread out in all directions. "Linhardt, relieve the front. Bernadetta, Dorothea cover the left flank; Hubert the right." The commanders jumped to their orders. The white-light flicker of healing magic redoubling Edelgard's onslaught in front while the ranged support whittled down the troops trying to flank. It was not enough and soon all the outer lines were engaged. Caspar's booming voice breaking out over everything else as he began to tear in with his ax. Ferdinand, already hurt from earlier, slowly fell back from the axes assaulting his position.

"Petra, aid Ferdinand." With a charge in Brigid she and her skirmishes ran forth and struck in. The fleeting Ferdianand refocused his attacks and stuck it out even over the bleeding arms he'd incurred. Caspar was trying to push forward but even with help was being overwhelmed. Edelgard's line held but more and more were on the ground rather than on the line and she was slowly stepping back.

But this was their enemy's last push as well. If these were men at peak stamina the advance would have been overrun already. His insight was true, they'd ridden hard and fast in the night and exhausted themselves. Attacking the town was a distraction to escape. One they'd failed at, as a simple look back showed the town gates clear of fighting. The archers no longer worried for their own lives and shot into the darkness without fear. One keen strike and the enemy would buckle.

Byleth drew his sword and ran into battle. He fell upon the western flank and cleaved his way through the infantry assailing Caspar. With a handful of slashes he'd broken into their center and disrupted their formation. Two more strikes and the enemy's leadership was on the ground. Those remaining fled into the night.

He continued on, ripping into the frontal forces locked in pitched battle with Edelgard. He swerved around their axes, cut their sides and legs. Tricked them into hitting one another as he weaved through their lines until their attention had focused on him… and the Broken Blade roared with fury and plowed through.

He returned south and fell upon the backs of the unit engaged with Ferdinand and Petra. They never even realized he was attacking until he cut his way back to friendly lines.

The survivors of the enemy fled into the darkness. A few surrendered. The Broken Blade had maybe a third of their number on the ground though most still moved. Ferdinand's unit had fallen down to maybe a third its strength and the other front line soldiers were at half. Most of the interior had only taken a few scratches.

Acceptable losses.

He could do better.

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He didn't know how but the enemy had completely outfoxed him. Knights of Seiros. Knights of Seiros! Lonato had called Knights of Seiros into his trap! Whoever was leading their vanguard had read his strategy completely and completely devastated his charges, his flanks. Like he'd known the battle plan ahead of time.

Gideon rallied what he could of his house troops back to the convoy. "South! South as fast as you can fly! Everyone who can grab a weapon fight the Knights of Seiros take no prisoners!"

He plucked at the bowstring. Fired at the unyielding advance of the knights. "Cursed traitors!" he yelped as they enclosed around him. "Merciless Goddess!" A lance pierced his thigh as he swung francticly. "What did we do to deserve this?!" His stirrups were cut and he was pulled from the saddle. A crack in his body at some point. He couldn't move. His vision blurred. He mouthed last words… but blood bubbled and none escaped. He kept himself aware as the ax came upon him. Too slow. Too slow. Too—

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It was over.

Byleth surveyed the losses. Maybe a fifth this time around taken from each detachment. Three uses of the Divine Pulse could not overturn their fates.

The enemy had fought to bitter ends. First the soldiers. Then civilians. Grasping weapons for the first time in their life. Shaky and unsteady as they were cut down. Their pathetic swings battered aside easily yet they clung futility to their last grasp of hope. So few surrendered. Too few.

Tears of the defeated stained the dark earth as much as blood. If he had saved the Divine Pulse for them instead of his men… No. This was the path. This was the sacrifice he chose. There was no purpose to discord. Dissent could not be tolerated. Not anymore.

That did not stop others.

"Dammit…" Caspar moaned at the piles of dead. "They were… attacking.. Why are there…"

"It wasn't a real attack…" Edelgard pinched the bridge of her nose. "It was a distraction."

"Burn the town and let this little convoy of his pass through without incident. How pragmatic." Approval crept into Hubert's voice.

"That man was no noble, no noble at all." The unharmed Ferdinand grimaced at the sight before them.

Linhardt stood away, trembling. Using what remained of his magical reserves to tend the injured.

"I wanna go hoooooooome." Bernadetta sobbed herself.

"Why… why did they keep fighting…" Dorothea aghast at everything.

"When there are things you cannot be conceding, you cannot be stopping the fight," said Petra.

Lonato and his men rode up. Quickly he was informed of the situation. "By the goddess…" he whimpered. "Get these people food, shelter immediately! Get every herbalist physician and doctor in town here now!" He left his addle, pulling some mixture of herbs from a pouch but the wounded he went to tend slapped away his aide. Shouted vile things and condemned him as a traitor.

Something was even more amiss than they expected.

The night dragged on seemingly forever as the prisoners and their few remaining possessions were rounded up and put into custody. The sun finally cresting the sky with dawn by the time things had settled. Corpse detail was sent out. Baron Gideon's body was found, struck down by lances and axs. His hand still clutching a bloodied lance. A handful of documents were pulled from his personage and Lonato took them to investigate personally.

Byleth gave the Black Eagles leave to rest. They needed it.

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"The contents of these letters is beyond disturbing." Lonato had brought Byleth into the man's well-lit study shortly after noon. "And explains in plain language what motivated Gideon's actions last night." Lonato handed him a carefully sealed envelope with had its seal broken.

Within was a letter detailing the scenario presented. Gideon would make a forced march south under the cover of night with only minimal provisions and equipment. He would rendezvous with Lonato's men, receive supplies and be on his way south to the Empire. The plan was proposed and signed: Lord Lonato Gildas Gaspard.

"Is this your handwriting?"

"To every one of my foibles and my personal seal itself." Lonato showed the stamp that matched the wax on the envelope.

"You've given us liberty of your estate, the latter isn't surprising."

"As is someone copying my letters. Whoever wrote this damned forgery is sharper than a silver sword and twice as deadly."

"What purpose would this serve?"

"I haven't the faintest, but that's not even the worst news." Lonato revealed another message. One in code, which had been translated. It was enough to even get his eyebrows raised.

A plan to assassinate Rhea during the Goddess's Rite of Rebirth.

"That's unfeasible."

"Aye, but whoever our enemy is wanted that message to be found."

"It's a distraction."

"Just like Gideon tried. Whoever's behind this has another objective. Damned if I know what it could be."

There were a number of valuable objects stored at the monastery. But this message would only heighten security. Were they overlooking something? "There are only two factions that could be behind this."

"The Western Church or the Empire."

"Considering the Black Eagles' involvement in stopping this…"

"That leaves the west. As I suspected already to the archbishop."

A purge would be forthcoming once they had more information. "I'll deliver this information posthaste."

"I've already sent a messenger north to Jeralt and Christophe." Lonato leaned back in his chair, a sigh accompanying it. "Would you find it strange if I say I understand why Baron Gideon did what he did?" Byleth nodded. "If he'd continued the current course of action his people would have been bled dry by another means. If he rose up there was perhaps some chance he could garner change. Make a difference." Lonato shook his head. "I almost wish I was with him."

"Those words could get you killed."

"So they could. So they could. But a lord must do what is best for his people. Even if others don't see that.

"I don't see how dying meaninglessly is what's best for them."

"Do you know about the Kingdom's central army?" He gave another shake of his head. "Two years ago or so, Regent Rufus assembled a new fighting force that answered directly to him. An expansion of his powers as a lord and as regent. That's the central army." Lonato sneered at the mention. "Bandits in uniform. They've no code of ethics or chivalry. They'll slit your throat as fast as any highwaymen. And these thugs are under the command of Miklan Gautier." Gautier. Sylvain's family. "The regent's taxes drive people to banditry or raise lords to rebellion and the central army is sent to put them down. Put the fear of Faerghus into them. They slaughter wholesale anyone who gets in their way. Surrender or no."

"The regent allows that?" Heresy was not permitted but other prisoners could be taken. Were taken.

"All it does is spur people to fight harder, rise up fiercer each time." Lonato sighed. "If I didn't know any better I'd say he was sowing this chaos on purpose."

"Is it possible this is an attempt to prevent Dimitri from ascending the throne?"

"By making himself the most hated man in Faerghus? He'd only speed the process along if anything. Two years until the archbishop can crown him king yet the people cry out for him daily."

Why was he at the Officers Academy instead of here, then?

"Forgive my gripes. I should not be confessing this so carelessly to you." Lonato shook his head. "Because you were here those people got to surrender under my care and the church's authority. Despite everything Rufus still allows some respect. The people we took captive may hate us but at least their lives endure."

"And if they turn violent?"

"They will. But a few frightened people are simple to take down without danger."

"Then we'll leave them in your care."

"Thank you, Byleth."

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Byleth was overseeing the preparations to depart back to Garreg Mach when Edelgard approached him. "Everyone is shaken after fighting against those civilians. Even Alois and the other knights weren't unaffected."

"That is the cost of warring." That is what they came to learn.

"If only everyone could face reality so unflinchingly." Edelgard turned her purple-eyed gaze over the prisoners still secured in the courtyard. "I too, will one day be just like Baron Gideon. Spending the lives of my people for the greater good."

"Even after seeing all this?"

"Yes. No matter who the enemy should be."

"Even the goddess?"

Do not drag me into this.

His words nearly knocked her over. She settled, just barely, but her eyes were raised. Then secured. Ready. Eager. "Against anyone. Even should they be gods themselves."

Even him.

Good.

"That is the resolve needed to command." To condemn men to their deaths for the sake of others. "But don't rush to condone casualties so readily."

"Yes. We do what we must to ensure our goal with the least damage taken."

Just as he had. Just as he would continue to do.

AN: Not great week. Will update on stuff eventually. Last chapter that was really completed before my life fell apart. Don't expect weekly updates for a long time.