Mildred is tasked to rally everyone and wait until the celebrations die down. At least Felix helps make it a little easier dragging Sylvain upstairs. Turns out Bernadetta is already inside and has been since only a while ago, munching on the rest of the cookies left in the jar with Annette. Dedue, Gilbert, the professor, and Dimitri are already in the meeting room. It only leaves Ashe, Mercedes, Linhardt, and Ingrid.
Linhardt is the easiest to find since he's slept through the entire celebration. Mildred leaves him to sleep until morning. Mercedes is in the kitchen, sweeping about and counting supplies. Mildred informs her of the situation and they both head out to find the others. Mildred walks out into the castle gardens.
Night has fully fallen now, clouds obscuring the sliver of moonlight and blanket of stars. The spirits are silent in Mildred's mind. She strolls despite the urgent news she bears, unable to resist the relaxing atmosphere and comforting scent of the flowers. It is almost like she's been here before.
A bridge comes to mind. Not the Bridge of Myrddin, but a smaller bridge, bathed in the orange light of a sunrise...
"Aubin!"
She turns her head, seeing young Cethleann skipping towards her with two fishing rods.
"Are you going fishing?" Aubin asks, leaning against the edge of the bridge. Cethleann nods eagerly, handing her one.
"The fish are migrating today! I hope I can catch one so that mother can cook it! Will you join me?"
"You go on ahead," Aubin says, waving her towards the lake. "I will tell Cichol so he does not worry." Cethleann nods with bright eyes, feet dashing across the bridge towards the lake. With that Aubin starts towards where Cethleann came from, for wherever she goes, Cichol follows.
On the way, Noa appears from behind some houses and sidles up next to her, shoulders tense. Aubin notices.
"Something wrong?" Noa shakes her head, gazing east.
"I just have a really bad feeling," She murmurs. "Like a dark cloud of foreboding has settled above our heads and no one has noticed yet." She turns to Aubin and shrugs. "But it's probably nothing."
Aubin nods, noting Noa's warning. "Perhaps you should ask Chevalier about that," Aubin suggests, spotting Cichol's home not far from the dock. Noa nods in agreement. "Speaking of Chevalier, where is he?"
"I think he's visiting Mother right now for advice," Noa replies, tilting her head towards the shrine. "Tim had volunteered to assist in hunting so she won't be back until around noon." Aubin nods her thanks, arriving at Cichol's doorstep and knocking.
"Cichol!" She calls, adjusting the pole on her shoulders. She spares Noa a glance, and Noa nods before bounding towards the lake. "Cethleann and I are going fishing!" She hears some shuffling before the door opens.
"Where's Cethleann?" Cichol asks. He must've been sleeping, which is rare...
"The fishing dock," Aubin blinks, gesturing with the fishing pole.
"Ah, you must forgive me," Cichol sighs, then smiles. "I've been feeling rather drained lately." Immediately Aubin perks up.
"Is it something I can help with?" She asks, holding up a hand as an offer. Cichol chuckles before waving her off.
"It's fine. Now let's-"
"Aubin!"
Aubin turns, the tone of voice that calls for her panicked and shaky. Suddenly screams erupt from around the square. "Tim?"
YOU ARE READING
The Missing Stone
FanficA self-indulgent story that's been sitting in my Google Docs since forever. An alternate universe based off the game Fire Emblem Three Houses, exploring the question: "What would happen if the Four Apostles didn't separate?"
