The Missing Stone

Motivation

While the Great Bridge isn't the monastery, it still is large enough to house their army for a few days while others gather provisions and supplies from the surrounding areas. She stands at the edge of the bridge, breathing in the cool breeze and listening to the roaring waters just below.

Hopping onto the ledge, Mildred lets her legs hang off the edge as she unfurls her map. From here they would head south, to Gronder Field. Gilbert has already sent a messenger to Duke Riegan for cooperation, so they need to wait for his response. After they take Gronder field with the supposed help of the Alliance, the Kingdom army will march to Enbarr and finish this war once and for all.

In all honesty, she wants this war to end soon, so she can focus on recovering her memories. Mildred also wants to help people. More precisely, the people in Fhirdiad suffering from unbearable tyranny from the Empire and Cornelia. The name leaves a vile taste in her mouth.                          

From what she's read in the monastery library, Cornelia had purged a terrible plague from Faerghus, the same plague that killed the late queen and hundreds of the Kingdom's citizens. Despite her unknown origins, King Lambert had welcomed her as a member of his council.

Mildred rolls her eyes at the prospect, but supposes that's what happened to her; a young girl with unknown origins and self-proclaimed amnesia accepted into the Kingdom Army during a war, and worse, during an ambush when a spy was detected among their ranks.

She's conflicted. Mildred so desperately wants to remember her lost past, but also wants to help the people. Considering their current situation, she doubts they'll make it to Enbarr and kill the emperor and still make it out alive. But if they take back Fhirdiad first, not only would their citizens be freed of heavy taxes, but they would acquire additional soldiers and supplies.

She doesn't understand war, and how different the outcomes might be, but she wants to ensure their victory. She supposes that people will die in both outcomes, so it's narrowed down to two decisions: take that risk and march to Enbarr, letting the people suffer more, or take back the Kingdom capital and ensure their victory. Gilbert has repeatedly spoken of how important it is to keep the army's morale up.

Marching to their deaths doesn't seem as appealing to taking back their home. Mildred knows that she doesn't understand the prince's motives, but understands what he's trying to do. She tucks her map away and rests her head against folded knees.

She wants to relive the peace she felt when she danced in that forest, singing a song long past. Mildred wants to remember her parents, where she used to live, what her favorite food and color was. She wants to remember Aerula, the girl with shoulder-length violet hair, the person with dark hair and bright eyes singing an enchanting song.

"...please take me away from here..."

-

The next few weeks are spent in tense waiting. Mildred is anxious, honing her faith skills until she learns Heal. The act is not unlimited and can only be used in battle a few times, yet the professor has said that her Heal has the same qualities as an average Recover. To say the least, he's surprised. Deeming her talent useful, he switches her to archery.

"It's good to have some range," he says, scheduling training with Bernadetta. Now, she listens patiently as the purple-haired girl shyly explains the basics of a combat art.

"Deadeye is useful w-when the enemy is near an ally or f-far away," Bernadetta stutters slightly, relaxing a little when Mildred smiles at her. "The arrow should be held...like this." She pauses, lifting a bow with an arrow pressed against the string, bending the shaft slightly. Mildred nods. "Any...questions?"

Mildred waits for a moment, letting Bernadetta compose herself. "Can you teach me Close Counter?" She knows it's a useful ability in case an enemy gets too close and Mildred doesn't have enough time to switch weapons. Before her tutor can say anything someone knocks on the door.

Mildred feels her ears swivel towards the door, the pair looking up as Felix bursts through the door and Mildred swears she sees Bernadetta jump a foot in the air. He looks disheveled, loose strands hanging from his hastily put-up bun. "We're leaving for Gronder. Now!"

Mildred and Bernadetta scramble to the convoy, the latter grabbing a lance and bow before dashing off to the stables. Mildred snatches a steel bow, enhancing its strength with her magic as she sprints to meet with Ashe by Dedue by the front of the group.

"What's going on?" Mildred stops by the pair, Dedue turning his head slightly to acknowledge her.

"It looks like we can't ally with Claude at the moment," Ashe explains, tossing Mildred a quiver of arrows. "One of the soldiers reported the messenger dead in Alliance territory, and while no one knows who was responsible, we can't take any chances." Something about the situation stands out to her. Then she remembers.

The Kingdom army going up against the Empire and Alliance, just like the Battle of the Eagle and Lion. She read about it in the monastery library with Linhardt. "Where are the others?"

"Waiting for His Highness to join us," replies Dedue as he hauls an axe over his shoulder. Mildred nods in understanding, adjusting her gloves as rows of soldiers march by, some of them mounted on horses as pegasi riders fly overhead. A wyvern screech and the beating of wings behind them.

"Let's go." The professor flies ahead, followed by Ingrid and several pegasi knights. Mildred shifts, hopping into a saddle bag as Ashe mounts his horse, galloping ahead beside Sylvain. She pops her head out, watching the rest of the group trail behind, making quick progress on the grassy terrain.

Behind them Mildred catches the barest glimpse of a yellow flag, no doubt the Alliance soldiers. Ahead lies a large field, a hill housing a ballista surrounded by several Imperial soldiers from the southwest. As they march closer she spots demonic beasts. Mentally cursing, she wiggles out of the bag and shifts, jogging a little to catch up with the professor.

"Demonic beasts ahead!" She shouts, several of their soldiers drawing their weapons. The professor directs his wyvern around, dividing resources and troops.

"Felix, Mercedes, Dimitri, Dedue, and I will head west. Sylvain, Annette, Mildred, Ashe and Ingrid will take that fortress!" With that the army splits respectively, Bernadetta galloping after Ashe as Linhardt follows Mercedes. Annette makes quick work of the fortress knight on the crossing as their group advances.

Felix runs one of the axers through as Ashe lands a critical shot on the other. Sylvain locks blades with the eastern paladin while Mildred darts towards the archer on the hill. She grants them a swift death, readying the ballista for Ashe. Just as Ashe pulls himself onto the fort one of the western knights charge. Annette intervenes, followed by Felix as they keep them occupied.

A voice echoes from southward. "The center is in danger of being taken," a woman with a thick accent and plum hair runs towards the hill along with others. "We must be running to protect it!"

Before Mildred can do anything Ingrid intercepts the woman, surrounding her with troops. Instead, she sprints over to Sylvain who is struggling with reinforcements, lending a healing hand and an archer's backup. Just as Mildred strikes down the last of the knights, another platoon comes galloping from the eastern forest.

Two archers flank a knight with bright orange hair. "Great! I may not have a Crest, but I'll give it my all." Mildred switches to her daggers and streaks towards the snipers with Sylvain on her heels. They aren't much trouble, and victory is easily claimed as Sylvain swings a well placed stab into the paladin's ribcage.

The sudden crackling of wood and the smell of smoke permeates Mildred's senses before a wave of nausea washes over. Sylvain is struggling with the reinforcements, but this time Mildred shouts for him to retreat. He obliges with a snarky comment, Ashe sniping a knight in pursuit.

Just as Felix and Annette come rushing back with Bernadetta on their heels, Ingrid deals the finishing blow on the plum-haired woman. She retreats, and Mildred hears a voice shout louder than all the others from the west before the entire hill erupts into flames.