After the Battle

The smell of burnt wood permeated the air as Caeldori lifted the tent flap to leave the grieving family. They had just lost their home and the children were lucky to be alive. She observed the damage that had been sustained by the village from an unprovoked attack. Most buildings were burnt or irreversibly damaged. After the recent skirmish Caeldori had visited each and every villager. Taking notes on property damage and injuries. Walking back towards the improvised camp that had been set-up in place of the town Caeldori read through her notes.

"Buildings. Five burnt roofs, three needing urgent repairs. Nine cracked windows. Two broken doors. Three caved in ceilings. Four intact. Villagers. Seven first-degree burns. One second-degree burn. Twelve cuts and abrasions. One dislocated shoulder. Zero children injured. Supplies and Livestock. Four broken pitchforks. Eight dull scythes. One missing anvil. Twenty live chickens. Five live cows. Seven live pigs. Three live goats."

Reaching the main tent she discovered a small meeting between the Hoshidan and Nohrian royals with a white-haired man in unique skin tight amour addressing the attendants. Caeldori waited patiently as she heard the man order a perimeter search for any enemy stragglers and for those left behind to help with the wounded. Closing the meeting she watched him return to his desk as she sidestepped away for the royals to leave the tent. Caeldori addressed him as she stood at the entrance.

"Prince Corrin. Sir."

The prince looked up to see a graceful young woman with strawberry red hair standing at the entrance of his tent. The girl wore red pauldrons etched with white along the edges, a versatile red and white combat dress accompanied by a breastplate and burgundy red riding boots with matching knee-high socks. She looked similarly like her father apart from her petite form which she presumably inherited from her mother.

"Caeldori. What can I do for you?"

She took a few steps forward before reporting, "I have just completed taking notes with all the villagers." Caeldori showed Corrin her scroll of notes. Gingerly he pried it off her. His fingers touched hers for a moment and a slight shiver ran across her spine at the sensation. She watched nervously as he read her report. His strong jaw line and prominent cheek bones accentuating his features as a dragon. She noticed his bare feet giving him a sense of wildness that she marveled at. But his deep voice broke her from her reverie.

"What are you planning on doing with this information?" The prince inquired after finishing the report.

"I… Uh… Well, I was thinking that we should move the villagers to a safer location. For them to live in until their homes are repaired. But we would need soldiers to guard them and horses to carry all their belongings. So…" Corrin interrupted her with a sparkle in his eyes.

"So you were wondering if you could use some troops and mounts to help the villagers out."

"Y-yes. That's correct." She replied before looking at the ground nervously before murmuring, "I can understand if you think it's not appropriate. You are in charge of this army after all. And I'm only here because I defied father's orders." She held her breath as she awaited his verdict

"It is appropriate." The prince agreed as he grinned at her look of disbelief.

"So you mean... you approve of this?"

"I more than just approve I second the notion." At those words Caeldori greatly thanked the man for listening to her. "However, I will relay the message myself to get the villagers to the nearest settlement with housing capabilities. Don't you worry about it." Caeldori was just about to protest that she would be needed when Corrin continued, eyeing something behind her, "Besides others would like to talk to you."

She whirled around to find her father standing outside the tent with his arms crossed. Looking somewhat displeased. Gulp.

Caeldori strolled through the growing number of tents biting into her apple as she searched for her friend, Karui. Her talk with her father had been more cheerful than she first thought. As soon as she neared him shyly he dropped his facade and gave her a pack on the back. A reassuring smile on his brilliant face before telling her how almost perfect she was in their recent battle. After expressing her willingness to train harder to be just like him Caeldori had left in search of food.

"Found you!" a voice exclaimed from behind her making her jump in fright. Caeldori turned around to see a crimson-haired mature lady in leather armour standing in front of her.

"Goodness, Mother. You startled me. But don't you look impressive." Caeldori embraced her mother before continuing. "As always I don't know how you do it." Her mother was fairly older than her but she still looked pristine and beautiful.

"Thank you, sweetie. But I suppose there's something I have to tell you."

"Yes. What is it Mother?" Caeldori asked as they moved away from the pathway.

'Well, when you were younger you looked so much like your father. But now… Time has its way with us, I guess." She chuckled. Caeldori had no idea where her mother was going with this. "Um… Do you recall the tales I told you about my mother?"

Oh, grandmother. "Yes. Of course." Her mother had told her many tales of the paragon of all pegasus riders. "She was perfect a knight as has have ever been seen. I've always felt like you and grandmother were so alike." Her mother paused at the compliment as her face drooped. "Mother, what's wrong? Did I say the wrong thing?"

"No! No, I'm fine. It's just that… well YOU are so like my mother. You're her spitting image." Her mother paused as she gestured at all of her. "By the gods. Look at you. Your face, your voice. The way you carry yourself. Every move you make. Every word you say. Just so like her."

Caeldori was completely taken aback she really had no words. "Are you sure? I would really love to think I'm a little like such a great woman. I'll have to work even harder to honour her memory."

"Well, you're doing fine. Just… just don't mess up!"

"Yes! I swear I will do my very best to hold her image for you Mother!"

Her mother chuckled again at her brashness, "Alright, alright. I'm sorry for overreacting. And I promise not go and die on you. Or abandon you."

"Wait! Mother!" Caeldori called out confused at her last statement. "Oh, she's gone."

Sitting down on the hilltop Caeldori watched as the first glints of light beamed into the sky. The birds sang their morning chorus as they searched for their breakfast. The village had been repaired. Only taking them one week to complete. By lunchtime the army was set to travel toward the Bottom-less Canyon. Supposedly, something awaited them there.

"Ah, it's a wonderful sight isn't it." Karui, a black haired friend exclaimed. Her purple eyes scanning the pink and purple sky.

"Yes, it is." Caeldori agreed. "Thanks for bringing me here."

"Your welcome."

"We never had this back home." Caeldori remarked.

"You mean in the Deeprealm. Of course we did. Except it was never as good."

"Wait! Your telling me that you looked at views like this without me." She renounced in disgust as she looked at her friend teasingly. "How could you not tell me?

"Hey, you were always doing your mile long runs. I didn't want to annoy you." Karui defended. "Besides this one is way better. So you should thank me."

"Well, fine. I'll say it again." She relented as she watched a pair of golden finches flutter in the air. "Thank you, Karui... I guess this is good-bye then."

"What do you mean, good-bye? I want to see the world too you know. I'm coming with you."

"What? But, what will you be doing. You're an awful cook." Caeldori teased.

"Hey. I'm not perfect like you. Besides, who helped you learn to craft and maintain your blade?"

"Ugh… You did?" She replied unwillingly. "Wait! Does this mean you're going to be a blacksmith?"

"An apprentice blacksmith." Karui added. "Hoshido's finest and Nohr's greatest have both agreed to teach me their trades." Karui instantly beamed at the thought. Her violet eyes dancing in the morning sunlight.

"That's wonderful!" Caeldori congratulated, "But won't that mean we won't have much time together anymore." She sulked.

"Oh, come on Cal. It's not like I have to work non-stop. Besides who will be there to instantly cheer you up when you get friend-zoned by another man." Karui teased before jumping up and running away giggling.

"Hey! Get back here!" Caeldori sprinted after her. "Why did you have to ruin it?!"

Hi Everyone. Sorry about this one. I really wanted to include a fight scene but it was going no where. A bit tired now. It's nearly 1 am and I have tennis training in five hours so. Hope you like it.

Disclaimer: I do not own these characters and all rights go to the awesome team at Intelligent Systems.