The Missing Stone

Strangers

After getting formally added to the Kingdom Army, Mildred is given a tent and basic hygiene supplies. The first thing she does is deposit her tattered cloak in the storehouse inside the convoy. Then she helps Ashe and Ingrid pack supplies on the horses and delivers messages between the knights and Gilbert. A large number of people have asked to pet her, and she consents, even allowing Sylvain a few head pats.

Now Mildred travels among them back to the monastery on foot, following behind the convoy. From this position she can see both her friends on both sides of the convoy, occasionally listening in when she's bored. She laughs at Sylvain and Felix's bickering, letting fantasies take shape in the form of delicious food when Ashe, Annette, and Mercedes converse animatedly about what they should cook back at the monastery.

"Just don't give her a dagger," Sylvain winks, and Felix scowls, crossing his arms. Ingrid descends from the sky and directs her Pegasi to trot alongside Sylvain's mount.

"Don't do anything stupid you two," she scolds, and Mildred is reminded of family. She doesn't know why. Felix snorts.

"As if I would do anything like what the boar did." Ingrid and Sylvain both frown, settling into tense silence.

Mildred frowns too, feeling the atmosphere become heavy and toxic. Who is this 'boar' Felix keeps talking about? She can understand why he calls her 'cat' instead of 'Mildred' or 'Maisle', but she can't think of anyone that she's met so far that reminds her of...a boar.

"Maisle!" Annette calls from their side of the group, drawing Mildred out of her spiraling thoughts. She looks up to see Annette wincing. "Sorry! I'm still used to you as Maisle..." She trails off, laughing nervously.

Mildred is glad for the distraction, and jogs forward to her side. "It's fine," she assures, "I will still respond to both names should you call me them." Annette grins and Mercedes giggles from her other side.

"I just wanted to know what kinds of food you like," the ginger mage clasps her hands in front of her, tilting her head at Mildred. Inside, Mildred despairs. She doesn't know...

Her face must've revealed her thoughts when Annette winces and bows her head. "Oh, I'm so sorry Maisle- I mean Mildred! I forgot that you don't remember anything." Her blonde companion wraps an arm around the ginger's shoulders to comfort. Mildred shakes her head.

"There's no need to apologize." Mildred pointedly ignores the pulsing headache, but at this point it is merely a dull ache. Ashe lights up with an idea from atop his horse.

"Oh, I know!" He leans down so the girls can hear him better from the sounds of mounts, both above and on the ground, and the conversing of Sylvain and Ingrid's battalions not far behind them. "We'll make different dishes for you to try and then you can decide what you prefer!" Annette's eyes widen.

"That's a great idea Ashe!" She squeals, hugging Mercie's arm tightly. "Oh, this will be so much fun!" Both Mercedes and Mildred giggle as Annette and Ashe continue planning out a variety of dishes for Mildred to taste, ranging from savory steaks (she swears she sees Felix look over) to cheesy delights to onion gratin.

Mildred is hungry until rations are disputed at the end of the day, the group setting camp in a mountain valley with the monastery in sight.

-

The next morning is foggy. Ingrid and the professor lead the group with the aid of torches. Ashe is unusually tense, Mercedes and Annette choosing to ride in one of the convoy wagons to rest a little longer. Mildred can't blame them as she woke up with a sore body again, likely from fighting and traveling.

She sits in the back of the convoy where she used to hide before she revealed herself, struggling to read one of the maps the professor had given her for her to memorize. Something about needing to know where you are when you are lost. Mildred supposes it makes sense, and one couldn't have a map at the ready on their person at all times.