It was on the evening of the third day that Byleth and her students stumbled across first-hand exposure to the grim work of Miklan and his bandit troop.

Petra had taken point at their at the head of their column when they had ridden out after lunch, and it was her that alerted the team to a steady plume of smoke that was rising above the treeline some way ahead of them.

'Stay close together,' Byleth immediately ordered. 'Be vigilant of our periphery.' She added as she urged her horse faster, taking a single glance behind her to ensure that the students had fallen into their well practised defensive pattern behind her. They had.

The first people that they came across were two familiar faces from Byleth's old mercenary company– tough and battle-wearied men who both grunted the tersest of welcomes when they recognised her as they rode up.

'Yon village was attacked last night.' One of the mercenaries reported. 'We were patrolling locally. Got here as soon as we could.'

'Casualties?' Byleth asked tersely.

'Aye.' The second man nodded at her. 'The bastards came for food, and supplies seems like. They managed to grab a fair bit too - and a handful of the younger womenfolk - before we arrived. A gang of em stayed behind and lit up several of the buildings just for shit and giggles – they were the ones we dealt with when we got here.'

'You have men following the ones that got away?'

'Of course.' The first man spoke again. 'It won't do much good though, I reckon. They will be back at their infernal tower before our lads can overtake them. It's less than a half a day's ride from here.'

Byleth considered carefully. 'If we are that close to the tower then I think we will take our night's rest here tonight.' She told the students. 'We can offer a hand in the village at least, then grab some sleep and take off early tomorrow.'

'You gonna be attempting to assault the tower?' The mercenary who spoke looked wary. 'Gotta warn you, we have made no headway at all in thinning out the numbers in there. It's impossible to gain access as the door is heavily defended – and that's not counting the re-enforcements inside.'

'Have you come across Sir Gilbert, the Knight of Serios that was in charge of the place?' Byleth asked.

'He's sequestered himself in a church a few villages over.' The mercenary spat irreverently. 'He don't choose to speak to the likes of us.'

'Have you got someone spare who can get him here by morning?' Byleth frowned. 'He is expecting us. He should be providing information about how we can breach the tower via a secret entrance.'

'Yeah.' The man nodded. 'I'll go. I'll get him to you if I have to tie him up and drag him, Demon. He'll be here, I promise.'

Byleth ignored the use of her mercenary name although she heard Caspar unable to prevent a little 'whoop' of glee.

'I'd be grateful for that. Thanks.' Byleth nodded at him.

There was silence from the riders as they made their way into the village proper. Byleth recognised at least half a dozen of her old comrades among the village folk who were working to put out the fires that were still raging in a couple of the buildings.

The students set to work without complaint. Linhardt and Dorothea quickly gathered up the injured and created a triage in the village hall, giving aid where they could with the help of a few of the older residents.

Byleth directed Hubert into gathering information. Despite his intimidating demeanour, the people of the village were too numb to seem even in the slightest bit bothered by the mage as he moved about the amongst them, asking questions and getting accounts of the attack as gently as he could. If he was uncomfortable in the role he had been asked to do, he did not show it.

The rest of them fell mainly into manual tasks alongside those villagers who were still able, and the mercenaries who worked in stoic silence. Once the fires were under control, Byleth split off with a couple of her former companions to drag the dead bandits from the village and dispose of them. Those from the community who had perished were wrapped reverently and deposited in a room in the hall, awaiting a proper burial. It was late by the time the chores wound down, and food was prepared.

Byleth organised a watch schedule amongst the mercenaries, who appeared to take no issue with her directing them. She was glad for their presence as it meant that she could allow her charges to get a full night's sleep.

Aware that the next day was likely to bring them into the tower and engaged in what was expected to be an intense fight, Byleth made sure that she spent a bit of time with each of the students, talking and offering whatever reassurance she could.

Sylvain was obviously restive and unsettled. The reality of his brother's handiwork at the village had come as a blow, and the knowledge that he would likely face him tomorrow was also playing on his mind. Much as he had been for the entire journey, he was reluctant to talk, although he clung to Byleth for a moment or two as she sat with him.

'If it's possible - when the time comes, I want it to be me that ends Miklan.' Sylvain whispered as his head rested against her chest.

'Are you sure that's wise?' Byleth murmured, stroking gently at his hair.

Sylvain was silent for a moment. 'I fear that I will ascribe some sort of culpability to anyone else who did it. Not intentionally. I know that Miklan has to die… but how, going forward, do you face the person who killed your brother? How would that other person feel facing me?'

'If it is not you Sylvain, then I will ensure that it is me.' Byleth promised. 'You already kinda hate me for my crest, so a bit more animosity towards me won't make that much difference.'

Sylvain pulled back from her and looked at her with doleful eyes.

'I don't hate you, Professor.'

She patted his cheek fondly. 'And I won't allow killing your brother to make things weird between us, Sylvain. It has been assigned to me to complete this mission. It's my responsibility.'

He nodded reluctantly. 'You or me then.' He agreed.

.

Hubert conspired to be elusive throughout the evening. He was the only person that Byleth failed to grab any time alone with, although she wasn't entirely surprised as he had been politely distant for the entirety of the trip.

Once everyone else was finally spoken to and settled for the night, Byleth found herself at a loose end, aware that she should try and get some sleep but also aware that her adrenaline was still too high for her to even attempt it.

After a brief conversation with one of the village elders who was watching over the injured, Byleth made her way quietly to where he directed her and started attacking the earth with a shovel.

'Gravedigging Professor?' She had been at her task for a while and was fully invested in the mindlessness of shifting earth, so she failed to notice Hubert's silent approach. She jumped violently, but just about managed to prevent herself from swinging at him with her spade.

'Sneaking up on me might not have ended that well, Hubert.' She responded quietly.

'I would have thought you would be getting some rest. We have a big day tomorrow.' Hubert ignored her admonishment and peered down at her, deep in the hole she was currently digging.

Byleth paused for a moment and then was genuinely surprised when he handed her a hot cup of tea. 'You have been here for quite a while.' Hubert noted. 'I expect you are thirsty by now.'

'Thanks.' She put down the cup on the edge of the pit and bounced herself out to sit crosslegged on the earth as she gulped the drink down.

'Perhaps I should have brought the whole pot.' Hubert said wryly sitting down beside her. 'You can have my coffee if you like.'

'Thanks again, but it tastes like shit the way you drink it.' Byleth noted.

Hubert chuckled mirthlessly. 'I suppose it is an acquired taste.' He agreed.

Byleth took a sideways glance to scrutinise her companion carefully. In truth, he looked awful. She had noticed the strain and the rigidity in him as soon as they had left the monastery, or probably more to the point – since he had been parted from Edelgard. She already regretted that she had lacked the opportunity to bring the Princess's own trip up with him.

'How are things, Hubert?' She asked softly.

He stared at her over the cup he had raised to his lips. 'I was about to ask you the same thing.' He said as soon as he had swallowed his coffee.

Byleth shrugged. 'I am sure you already know how I'm feeling.' She replied. 'I'm anxious about the challenge we are facing, concerned about embroiling the kids in this whole sorry mess. I'm especially worried about Sylvain and how he will handle the fallout of his brother's demise.' She paused and looked down at her empty cup. 'I am also sorry that I have failed to approach you sooner or offer better support with Edelgard's absence.'

Hubert made some kind of dismissive sound. 'I assure you that I am fine, Professor.' He said tonelessly. 'The Princess is subjected to this same scenario every year – and I have never been allowed to be present.'

'There is really no need to put a brave face on it, Hubert.' Byleth bit back a small wave of anxiety at the possibility of rejection - reaching out a hand to take his gloved one lightly between her fingers. 'I know that Edelgard's trip has put me on edge so I can only imagine that it would be ten times worse for you.'

Hubert was staring at their hands. He looked up briefly into her face and moved away from her touch. Byleth managed to cover her disappointment well.

'I speak truly when I say that this situation is not an unusual one.' Hubert said as he slid his gloves off and placed them tidily over his knee. 'It is foolish perhaps, to be concerned and yet you are right. It is disconcerting to be separated from your duty by a situation over which you have no control.' He reached back out to entwine his fingers with Byleth's, his hands warm and surprisingly soft. 'I'm sorry.' He said, giving her fingers a squeeze.

'Sorry?' Byleth squeaked. She stared at him in astonishment.

'I have found it rather difficult recently to approach you, following my wholly inappropriate actions when I...' He stuttered to a stop, a slight flush blossoming high on his cheeks. 'Err… anyway,' He continued after clearing his throat. 'I should have realised that your rather insufferable level of compassion would mean that you would be concerned about my wellbeing no matter how badly I have treated you.'

'Hubert it wasn't…'

He waved off her attempt to protest impatiently. 'My pathetic insecurities are hardly something you should have to shoulder on top of all of the important things you are dealing with right now.' He insisted firmly.

'If we were to look at it with cold logic – ensuring that you are as emotionally sound and unburdened as possible is imperative to being assured of your focus on the mission to come.' Byleth stated blandly. 'Regardless of my "insufferable compassion" - as your leader in this venture - it is in my best interest to provide you with whatever reassurances I can.'

'I fail quite miserably at apologies, don't I?' Hubert lamented sourly.

Byleth snorted in amusement. 'Possibly a lack of practice?' She teased. 'What made you approach me now, anyway?' She asked curiously. 'I have attempted to initiate a conversation with you any number of times since we left Garreg Mach.'

'Speaking to the villagers here made me crawl out of my own arse for a second.' He said, absently stroking her thumb with his own. 'You know, I have received detailed reports and even heard witness accounts of this kind of attack many times before – but I have never experienced the aftermath first hand. It is quite horrifying. I suppose that you have, though.'

'Yes.' She said quietly. 'It doesn't get any easier with familiarity.' She admitted.

'I saw that immediately. I saw you – for the first time in a while I suppose I allowed myself to really look.' He shook his head. 'I should have been supporting you. If Lady Edelgard was here – that is what she would have been doing. She requested I represent her in this mission, and I have so far failed you both in that!'

'Hmm… so let me get this straight. You're saying that I looked like complete shit then?' Byleth queried, although her she was struggling not to smile.

'I am trying to be serious and sincere here, Byleth.' Hubert groaned.

'Huh. Is that so? Well, the last time I fell for that routine, you ended up stealing my first kiss and pressing a dagger to my throat.' She smirked at the look of complete horror that flittered over his face at her words.

'Okay…Um… well, I suppose I deserved that…' He gulped awkwardly, blushing again. 'But in this case, Byleth I swear I am being honest with you… which is not something I am either good at or particularly used to.'

'Oh, Hubert! Stop with the self -recrimination for just a moment!' Byleth was laughing now. 'All this feely stuff? From you? Honest word – it's making me doubt my own sanity!'

'Fine then.' Hubert took his hand back and crossed his arms grumpily. 'I don't know why I even bothered to try. You are such a…'

'Vexing woman.' Byleth finished for him. 'How well I know that… you tell me often enough!'

'I was going to go with ' pain in my arse'' but both work just the same.' He sulked.

'Oh, I have missed this!' Byleth launched herself at him, throwing her arms around his neck, nearly knocking him backwards in her enthusiasm.

'Wielding the Sword of the Creator has finally pushed you over the edge into crazy then?' Hubert retaliated, his own grin starting to play on his lips.

'Teaching you lot started the process…' She replied, burying her head into his chest as his own arms encircled her waist.

They were silent for a moment.

'Are you going to be okay?' Hubert finally asked.

'Who knows.' Byleth sighed. 'Everything will go to shit tomorrow, and I just have to assume that I am going to be able to deal with it.'

'We…' Hubert insisted. 'All of us, Byleth. There is not one amongst us who won't do our very best.'

'I know.' She agreed. 'How about you?'

'I'm anxious for a number of reasons, but it won't affect my focus.' He promised.

'Good.' She pushed back from him, to look him in the eye. 'And we are okay now? No more of the stupid awkwardness shit?' She asked quietly.

'Alright.' Hubert nodded.

'Great!' She grinned. 'Because I have literally been saving up so many ways to tease you about pulling me into a cupboard for smoochies… I don't even know which one to start with!'

'Don't you dare!' He groaned miserably.

'Well, obviously I'm not just going to break one out now – I'll wait until you least expect it…' She added merrily.

'It appears order is restored.' Hubert sighed.