Chapter Text
13th day of the Great Tree Moon, 1180
The creaking carriage wheels continued to sound loudly, the noise blending with the clatter of metal boots and armor from the accompanying royal guard. Together, it created a dreary, if not relaxing symphony of sounds that reminded him of early mornings in the Fhirdiad training grounds. Their journey of several days was nearing its end, their destination within reach. The crown prince of Faerghus leaned back in his seat within the carriage and closed his eyes, letting the ambiance of the trip surround him for the last stretch.
…
Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd remembers speaking with his father and friends years ago. His father, King Lambert, along with Duke Fraldarius and Margrave Gautier had paid Fhirdiad a visit to discuss political matters, but the relaxed nature of it all suggested it was more a visit of pleasure than business. The Duke and Margrave had brought their sons, Felix and Sylvain, as well, much to Dimitri’s joy. The three found themselves sitting and conversing in front of the fireplace of a living room, the king watching over them.
“I’ve learned a lot about swordplay since the last time we’ve fought, Dimitri,” his young friend Felix said, excitedly waving his arms. “Just you wait. One day, I’ll be even better than Glenn and my father,” he proclaimed with a confident smirk on his face. Dimitri humored his friend’s confidence with a smile. As they have gotten older, Dimitri and Felix had devoted themselves more and more to their studies and training. Their other friend, Ingrid, had followed suit, inspired by the books that told of tales of yore.
The red-haired noble sitting next to Felix scoffed. “Better than Glenn? Please. How’re you going to get there when you still haven’t learned to ride a horse without getting scared?” The older Sylvain had wrapped an arm around his dark-haired companion, egging him on, before Felix wrestled out of his grasp, his face red.
“That was one time, Sylvain! I’m not scared anymore!”
Dimitri decided to chime in. “If I recall, Rodrigue told me you refused to go near the stables for weeks after that incident. Are you confident in saying you’ve changed your tune now?”
Sylvain and Dimitri laughed at their friend’s expense, but he too joined in, the laughter being too contagious. The king himself let out a chuckle before speaking.
“Settle down, boys. Don’t want anyone hearing that the young Fraldarius has a fear of horses.” Felix graciously decided to let the king have the better of him that moment. “I’m glad that you’re all dedicating yourselves to your training. Faerghus’ future is certainly bright if our heirs followed your example.”
Dimitri beamed at his father’s praise, and he moved to situate himself near him. “Do you truly believe that, Father?”
King Lambert laid a hand upon his son’s hair. “Of course. In fact, your energy and enthusiasm remind me of Rodrigue and I back in our Academy days. Eager to prove to each other and the world what we were capable of. It brings me back.”
Felix propped himself up, diverting more attention to the king. “Academy? Do you mean Garreg Mach?”
“Yes. The Officer’s Academy at Garreg Mach Monastery. It’s where your father and I went to learn the ways of politics and warfare. It helped shape who we are today. In time, you three will also follow in our footsteps and attend as well, all in the hopes of bettering the future of Fódlan.”
The serious overtones were not lost on Dimitri and Felix, but the same could not be said for their other friend. Sylvain stretched his arms and leaned back against the foot of a chair.
“Academy, huh? I don’t know, Your Majesty. I’ve never been too fond of the book work to be honest.” Dimitri frowned at his older friend’s bluntness.
“Sylvain don’t say that! Going to the Officer’s Academy is a serious honor! You’d do well to make the most of the opportunity.”
The young man raised his arms in response to quell Dimitri. “Easy, I was just kidding. Of course I’m gonna go to the Academy. It’s not like my father will let me decide otherwise. Besides, there’s bound to be interesting people to meet, don’t you think?”
“Sylvain…” Felix sighed and shook his head in disappointment. “What would Ingrid do if she heard you now?”
Genuine fear crossed the Gautier boy’s face before the king let out another hearty chuckle. “I understand where you’re coming from, Sylvain. It’s rare to ever truly enjoy burying yourself deep in texts, but it’s a necessary evil. But Dimitri, Felix,” the king suddenly called, “Sylvain is also right. The Academy isn’t just to become the strongest in the land. You’ll meet people from all walks of life there. Making connections and forging bonds with your companions is just as necessary as learning how to swing a blade. I pride myself in the people I’ve befriended and the lives I have saved, not the ones I have ended. You all would do well to remember that.”
Dimitri let his father’s words sink into him, looking at the ruler in reverence of his wisdom. Dimitri knew that, in time, he would inherit his father’s mantle and be the future ruler of Faerghus. He wanted to be a king that would protect, that would live for his people.
He wanted to be a king that would save.
To be the man that would be that king, Dimitri accepted he still had much to learn from his father.
“Still reminiscing on your glory days, Lambert? I thought you’ve accepted the old man you have become.” A smiling Rodrigue strode into the room followed closely behind by a young knight, his dark hair reminiscent of the Duke’s. King Lambert let out a laugh.
“My glory days, Rodrigue? I think you mean ours . Back in the Academy, a day’s worth of classes would hardly get you riled up, and now, you can’t even stand an hour discussing simple treaties!” The two experienced comrades laughed in their banter, Lambert rising to meet Rodrigue an offer a hug. The knight, meanwhile, settled himself next to Felix and the other boys.
“You know,” Glenn conspicuously whispered into Felix’s ear, “if you still have issues with the steeds, I can ask father about setting you up with a pegasus instead. How does that sound?”
Felix, face burning again, pounced on his older brother’s back, eliciting more laughter from Dimitri and Sylvain.
Rodrigue turned towards his sons after conversing with the king. “Glenn, Felix, come say goodnight to His Majesty before we retire for the night.” Felix let out a whine.
“Already? I still need to show Dimitri and Sylvain the new techniques I’ve learned from Glenn.”
Though pouting, Rodrigue hugged his son and guided him towards the exit.
“Enough of that, you’ll have plenty of time tomorrow before we leave. And Sylvain, Margrave Gautier wanted to speak with you about something. He looked rather…displeased.”
Sylvain winced and muttered something under his breath, which Dimitri deduced to be either a curse or a prayer.
The four bid Dimitri and the king a goodnight and retreated to their quarters, leaving him alone with his father. Lambert had resettled onto one of the couches and heaved a content sigh. Dimitri climbed on and lay down next to his father, resting his head on his lap. The king took the opportunity to run a hand through his hair, comforting him.
Despite the jovialness of the earlier conversation, the talk of him and his friends becoming future rulers of Faerghus had taken root within his mind. He did not believe himself to be incapable, but he feared he would be too unremarkable. Dimitri wanted to be more than those rulers of history that were simply footnotes, steppingstones to the ones that brought true change and happiness to the land. He wanted to be the name that inspired future generations. But the idea of becoming that name was a daunting thought.
“Father,” Dimitri slowly managed to ask.
“Yes, Dimitri? What is it?”
“Am I really going to the Officer’s Academy? To learn to be king?”
Lambert let out a hum and ruffled his son’s head. “Of course. When you’re there, you’ll learn to be the best man you can possibly be as I once did. And, when the time comes, you’ll be all the more prepared to lead after me.”
The small prince trembled at the thought. He refrained from thinking of his future responsibilities because of this, the way it made him feel so small. “I want to be a good king, father. I want to be the best for our people. Can I be a good king like you?”
For the third time that night, his father chuckled, but behind this one was more thought and pensiveness. He slowly stroked Dimitri’s hair, formulating a suitable answer to quell his prince’s fears. “You have a caring heart, Dimitri.” He paused, and the prince turned to look up at him, eyeing him to continue. “When I was young, I thought being the strongest, the mightiest, the most triumphant man would make me a fitting king. But…I’ve learned that kindness can be sharper than any whetted steel. If you want to be a good ruler...become a good man first. The rest will follow.”
Lambert observed his son joust with the answer given to him, wrestling with the ideas and concepts put before him. The prince looked up at him after a time. “Is being a good man truly enough?”
His father smiled. “As long as you remain yourself, you will be a good man. And, for me, that is enough, my dear son.”
Dimitri smiled and let his father’s kind words ease his mind, his kind hands relax his head. He closed his eyes and let his father caress his locks of hair. Sleep was quickly approaching, yet he heard his father’s voice one more time before it arrived.
“Rest, Dimitri. The future is far away. Whatever you do, my son, I know that you will make me proud.”
…
“Your Highness.”
Dimitri opened his eyes, his daydream of the past quickly evaporating to mist. His friend sitting across him, Dedue, had called for his attention. “It seems we are nearly at our destination,” the young man said, pulling away the carriage cover.
Dimitri took in the view of Garreg Mach Monastery, the legendary location of the Officer’s Academy. The buildings themselves seemed built into the mountainside. It created a breathtaking sight.
He continued to stare at the monastery, his mind still preoccupied with other things. His friend had taken notice.
“Your Highness,” Dedue said, “are you well?”
Dimitri turned to find his vassal observing him in worry. He looked back towards the monastery. “I am fine, Dedue. I am just…appreciating the sight, is all.”
The boy of Duscur didn’t seem too particularly convinced, but he abstained from pressing further. “Very well. I am here should you require anything.”
He let out a noise of acknowledgment. Dimitri wasn’t lying completely. He marveled at the sight of Garreg Mach, his new home for the year. He would learn so much more, become so much more, and reconnect with old friends. He was soon to be the house leader of the Blue Lion class and represent the future of the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus.
He looked upon Garreg Mach, the place where, after years of waiting, he could finally begin his life’s mission.
His father’s voice echoed within his mind.
“Whatever you do, my son, I know that you will make me proud.”
His carriage had parked outside the main gate. He stepped out and deeply inhaled the fresh, new air, and he stretched his aching limbs.
Despite the bustling of soldiers, guards, and the arrival of other students, he set his gaze firmly on the monastery walls, uncaring of the background prattle and noise.
I will avenge you, father. You will all have your tribute.
I will have it.
13th day of the Great Tree Moon, 1180
She arrived early, the sun barely kissing the sky when her and her escort had unpacked all her necessities from her carriage. She packed lightly, not many belongings to her name that she cared for, and the monastery staff had assured her that her heavier, bulkier objects would make their way to her room. Everything had been a whirlwind since she had arrived, the many guards and staff greeting her, taking her things, and leaving her like they did with all the other arriving students. Unfortunately for her, she had no familiar faces to find comfort in, unlike the others. Students she didn’t recognize and never met had found camaraderie in acquaintances already made before arriving at the Academy. With just a bag of her more personal belongings, she quickly shuffled to find a quiet place to save her from the overwhelming presence made from the growing crowd, finding an abandoned bench under the shade of a tree. She sat there, the area only a few feet from the entrance the carriages moved into but obscure enough to not draw attention. She was alone again. With no one to see and nothing to do, she set down her bag, closed her eyes, and clasped her hands in prayer.
…
Marianne von Edmund remembers walking into her father’s study weeks ago, Margrave Edmund requesting her presence. He was only her adoptive father, her brain forcefully reminded her. Her real parents have been gone for quite some time now.
She stepped into the office, a quaint, tidy room that the Margrave deemed appropriate for himself. The man in question was meticulously reading over some files no doubt related to his work, setting them down when Marianne had made her presence known.
“Ah, Marianne! There you are, come, sit.” Despite living with the man for three years now, she instinctively curled within herself, a habit she had tried to break around him as to not show ingratitude. “How are you, Marianne? Do you need anything to drink?”
“Uh- no, thank you. I- I am quite fine.” She hated that she still stumbled over her speech around him. An accomplished orator such as himself must surely be embarrassed that his daughter could barely work through basic conversation. Still, her incompetence went unanswered by him.
“Excellent, but don’t hesitate to ask if you need anything. It won’t be a bother at all.” She had been with him long enough to know that he meant what he said, but her heart refused to accept the notion. She wondered if the housemaids who cared for them thought the same.
“Um, thank you. I will keep it in mind...” She sat uncomfortably in her seat, waiting for her father to continue. The man had resumed scanning over papers. “Uh…father? Forgive me, but did you need me for something?” The Margrave dropped his papers at her question.
“Oh, yes, forgive me, Marianne. Count Gloucester and House Goneril are just having some dispute over Fódlan’s Locket’s fortifications and, well, I thought that I could- ah, nevermind that now.” The man quickly set aside any sheets that were occupying his attention and diverted it to Marianne fully. He cleared his throat. “I called you here to discuss that…topic we talked about last week. The deadlines are approaching soon, and I need your answer.” Marianne's mouth thinned into a line, and she aimed her gaze towards the floor.
“...The Officer’s Academy?” She asked, knowing the answer but hoping to stall the conversation for as long as she could manage.
“Yes. The monastery needs to have the necessary student information and paid tuition soon if one still wants to be a student. You’ve had some time to think about it. What do you say?” She remained silent.
Her father had asked her about his proposal a week ago. He suggested that going the Officer’s Academy would not only be good for their house, but for her growth and recovery. Marianne, however, loathed the idea. She feared the prospect of endangering others. She was a burden with no extraordinary skills to boast about. How her father could not see that her attendance would surely be a detriment to the Edmund name was an enigma to her.
Margrave Edmund took Marianne’s silence as an opportunity to plead his case again. “Marianne…I think this is a very special opportunity. I know life has been difficult for you. I won’t make light of your plight. But I truly think this can only benefit you.” She closed her eyes. Her father’s voice was earnest making it all the more difficult to ignore. “There’s so much to learn in this world, Marianne, and the monastery is best equipped to teach you these things.”
She had thought of the positives, of course. What would it be like to live again? Could she truly learn something that would make her a worthwhile person? When she was young, her mother had taught her the barest of healing magics, yet she was enamored in the art of healing. And the cavalry and knights. The idea of riding atop a trusty steed to save those in need was a dream she had as a child, before everything went wrong, before misfortune cursed her life and those around her. Was there truly a chance of being more than the mistake she currently was?
She spoke, meekly. “What of…my Crest? They can’t know.” Margrave Edmund, seeing the first hints of acceptance from his daughter, was quick to answer.
“I have a large sum of money prepared to send to the church in exchange that they keep your situation a secret.” She nodded at that, weakly. “There are so many wonderful people to meet at the monastery. You can make friends. You can learn! It's truly an extraordinary chance to work on your skills!" The Margrave, getting increasingly animated, forced himself to settle down. "I…I won’t force you, of course. This is your decision to make. I’ll accept whatever you choose to do. You know that.”
Despite what he said, she could feel the underlying tone of the sentiment. He wanted her to go. He practically begged. She also knew that it wasn’t just for her. As a rising power, House Edmund using their only daughter to make connections with future Alliance rulers was an enticing prospect. She’d also imagine that she would be expected to speak well of House Edmund to other houses. Her attendance was as much for her as it was for her father’s status. Though he may be a good man at heart, he still had a place in the world he wanted their house to be in, and she was necessary in making that destination a reality.
She thought over it. Her Crest was a danger, but if she kept to herself…maybe she could spare the others. All of it was terrifying, the monastery, the people…but should she waste away or jump on the chance that she may actually make herself useful for the world? For the Goddess?
Could she become someone her parents could be proud of?
“I’ll go.”
It was so quiet, a breathy sound that barely escaped her lips, but the Margrave just barely picked it up. “You’ll go? Truly?” She was shaking. She could turn back from this disaster of an idea, but she willed herself.
She nodded.
The Margrave jumped from his seat in excitement. “Oh, this is wonderful news, Marianne! I’ll have to get all the necessary paperwork ready, and I’ll need to get the funds prepared. Ah, we must start preparing for your departure immediately, as well. I’ll let the servants know, and we can get to work immediately. Oh, this is such great news! A momentous decision! I…” The man, in his joy, slowed to a stop as he came around to Marianne. She was silent, still sitting in her seat, eyes aimed down.
He walked over to her and knelt down, wrapping an arm around her and pushing his head close to hers.
“I’m proud of you, Marianne. So very proud. I promise, you won’t come to regret this decision.”
The young girl, still coming to terms with her choice, simply nodded. She couldn’t take it back now, no matter what. She had committed to going to the Officer’s Academy, and she would go. She had decided that.
Still, as she sat alone in her room that night, staring blankly at her ceiling, she prayed that she had made the right decision.
...
She opened her eyes. The sun had risen and was fully prominent in the sky. She must have dozed off a little.
She watched the increasing number of carriages make their way towards Garreg Mach’s entrance. Their importance was marked by the number of guards that accompanied each one. Deciding she should not tarry any longer, she worked her way back inside where a large mass of people was gathered.
It was nauseating to maneuver around the crowd, especially after having spent the past few hours in solitude. She cautiously weaved through unfamiliar people, hoping not to bother any of them. She beelined towards the inside of the monastery where she would be chaperoned and taken to her living quarters. She hoped so, at least.
In her haste, so close to the entrance, she collided with another noble. She quickly dropped to the floor to pick up her dropped belongings, not wanting to meet the face of the one she had disturbed. She burned in shame and embarrassment as she scrambled about. “F-Forgive me, I did not look where I was walking.”
“It’s no problem at all. Though, I hope you’re unharmed. Are you okay? Do you need assistance?” She cursed herself at the idea of taking more of this stranger’s time. She struggled, but finished gathering her things, and immediately prepared to leave.
“No, I’m fine. I’m sorry again.”
“Are you sure? It’s no trouble. Here, Dedue can you-”
She never spared him a glance. Her eyes set on her feet as she walked as fast as she could towards the indoors.
The Reception Hall of the place was no less busy or quiet, but she had found a corner to rest. She exuded a tired sigh. She had only just arrived, and she was already fearing what she had gotten herself into. Her eyes scanned over the many nobles and commoners gathered about, all more prepared, more skilled, more capable than her. She wondered if she really belonged here.
In her spot, she focused on the religious iconography decorating the hall. There was comfort in the Goddess’ visage, yet all she could ask for now was one request.
Goddess…if it all goes wrong…I beseech thee.
Please, don’t hesitate to take me.