"Here we are. Windmire."
Corrin looked down from the hill they were on to the vast city below him. The first thing he saw were the walls. They encircled the city and segmented it within, a series of concentric rings cut through by straight walls from the centre. Thousands of lights lit up the city in the dark night, casting an eerie glow. "I had no idea it was so large."
Leo pulled up alongside him. "It's one of the pinnacles of Nohrian architecture. It functions as a city, but at a moment's notice could be used as a fortress. The people who designed it were the greatest minds Nohr had to offer. I can only dream of being as genius as they were."
Corrin's attention was quickly drawn to the most obvious feature of Windmire: The large crater that sunk deep into the Earth, just off the centre of the city. Leo noticed his gaze.
"And that's the crowning achievement. Castle Krakenburg. It took huge effort to build such a large castle in the crater, but Nohr did it. That's where father rules from. It's the seat of power for all of Nohr."
Corrin took in the fine tuned architecture, the bizarre location. He could see the point of building it in such an insane location: It was a stubborn refusal to be halted by anything, not even the landscape. Castle Krakenburg was Nohrian spirit in physical form, and he couldn't help but be impressed. "I saw paintings of it, but… It's so large! How does it stay up on those supports?"
Leo laughed. "I wonder that myself sometimes. Every time I look at it the structure seems impossible, but the more I study it the more I appreciate the founders that built it. Perfectly balanced, structurally sound. The Hoshidans may like to think they are the leaders in architectural beauty, but this far surpasses anything they ever built."
Camilla caught up to her brothers. "Yes, mostly because it serves a purpose as well. Come, little brother. I'm sure King Garon is waiting to meet you. Let's not linger on these narrow roads any longer. You might get hurt, and I can't have that."
Leo nodded and spurred his horse forward. "Indeed. Trust me, Corrin, if you think it looks good from a distance, just wait until you see it up close…"
The journey through Windmire was much quicker than Corrin was expecting. Swift, straight roads led them to the city centre in a matter of minutes, and all the people on the streets immediately parted in front of them. Some even bowed, which made him slightly uncomfortable. Once they reached the lip of the crater, they had to dismount their horses, which Lilith took away to a nearby stable. Then came the steps, hundreds upon hundreds, which led them deeper down into the crater. Torches lit the way, and walkways linked across the crater from one side to another. Finally, they descended until they were level with the great castle Krakenburg. Corrin had to agree with Leo: Up close, it was much more impressive. And intimidating. What kind of man would live in an impossible castle built at the bottom of a crater?
"Xander?"
"Yes, Corrin?"
"... What kind of man is father?"
Xander slowed his pace and turned to Corrin. "You've met him before, haven't you?"
King Garon had visited Corrin rarely, no more than once a year. The two barely exchanged words at that point, and he seemed more interested in watching him duel against Xander. Corrin had no clue what the King was truly like. "Yes, but I'd like to hear what you think."
Xander was silent for a few moments. "... King Garon is a great man. He has led our people ever since he came of age, and has kept Nohr at the forefront of power in the west. He has endured many food shortages, and always found a way to keep Nohr alive. Yes, he had to make sacrifices. But above all else, he is a great ruler. I am honoured to have him as my father."
"That… doesn't really answer my question."
"Heh, I suppose so. Corrin, what you need to understand is that father is the King of Nohr first, and our father second. I have no doubt that he loves us all. So please understand, if he is hard on you, it is because he wants you to grow stronger. The same as I did during our training sessions."
"What do you think he will ask of me?"
"He will most likely ask you to demonstrate your abilities to him. Depending on how you perform, he will assign your first task accordingly."
"Task?"
"Father often sends us to be his envoys around the kingdom. Enforcing peace, maintaining the border, quelling rebellion. He is not normally unreasonable in his tasks to us. Do not worry, he did not raise you so carefully to throw you aside into an impossible challenge. What he asks will be difficult, but possible."
"He sounds like an honourable man."
"War does not always permit honour, Corrin. And make no mistake, we are at war with Hoshido. Sometimes, that means he must make undesirable decisions. Fear not, though. He always has Nohr's best interests- and ours- in his heart. Just remember to watch how you speak with him. He does not have tolerance for any insolence."
The group of royals reached the large entrance to castle Krakenburg. Several servants dressed in hooded robes gripped the doors tightly and pulled them open, slowly. Corrin gaped at the sheer scale of such a place. How had such colossal doors even been brought down here? He had no time to ponder the question, as Xander gently nudged him forward and into the castle.
"Father, we have arrived with our brother Corrin" Xander announced.
Corrin found himself in a great hall that stretched out before him. Cold stone bricks lines the wall, only lit by the torches on the wall. None of the sparse natural light above reached down here. And there, standing at the far end, stood King Garon.
He had changed little since Corrin saw him last. Dressed in the huge, ornate armour that was equal parts ceremonial and combat ready. A large fur cloak was draped over his shoulders, and Corrin found himself wishing he had brought his own cloak with him. It was cold down in the castle. A simple metal crown adorned his head, which although slightly more balanced than last time still had thick white hair over most of it. His face had remained totally unchanged, greyed and weathered skin with dark eyes gazing out from under a heavy brow. His stance demanded respect, and Corrin felt himself stooping a little lower on instinct. The group walked across the hall towards him as he stood in silence. Even when the group stopped in front of him, he stayed silent, staring directly at Corrin. Finally, he spoke.
"I see you made it here safely, Corrin."
"Y-yes father. Long have I waited to visit you in Castle Krakenburg. Thank you for permitting me to leave the fortress.
"It is thanks to your own diligence that you are here. I am told you are now a warrior on par with Xander. You now posses the strength to be an instrument of Nohr's power in the world." A tiny smile flickered on his face. "This is… good, Corrin. Well done."
"Th-thank you father! I'll do my best for you."
Garon's face resumed its stony neutral expression. "I expect nothing less. Corrin, as you know, Nohr is at war with the eastern kingdom of Hoshido."
Xander and Leo had given him a rundown of world politics on the way to Windmire. "Yes, Father. I have heard as much."
Garon continued. "We are the descendents of the ancient gods, the First Dragons. As inheritors of that divine strength, we conquer those who oppose us with ease. One who learns to wield that power can destroy an entire army of common troops. Xander, Camilla, Elise and Leo have already shown that they posses this power. I expect nothing less from you."
Corrin nodded. A test of manipulating Dragon Veins. He could do this. For the first time since entering the room, he felt some confidence return to him. "I am well aware of your expectations, Father. And I have trained every day to become more like my siblings."
Garon turned around to face a large cabinet behind him. "Hmmm… you show great promise. But you will need a suitable weapon in order to serve Nohr."
Garon flung open the cabinet and reached inside. He withdrew from it a long, curvy sword. The blade was a dull red, and it glowed with dark energy, much like Xander's sword. Garon threw the blade into the air, but instead of falling to the ground it hovered, floating over to Corrin like it had a mind of it's own. Corrin reached out and took ahold of the double guarded hilt, feeling the raw power running through it.
"Wow…" he breathed."
"This is Ganglari, a sword infused with power beyond this world. With it at your side, you will crush the Hoshidan army at your feet."
Corrin gave it a practice swing. It felt lighter than he expected for its size, and was perfectly balanced in his hand. "Thank you for this generous gift, father."
Xander looked at the blade with narrowed eye. "Yes… generous indeed."
Garon grinned as he saw Corrin holding the blade perfectly. "Now, let me see if you can put that sword to its proper use." He gestured to one of the hooded servants. "Bring out the prisoners!"
The man bowed. "Yes, sire."
Corrin was caught off guard. "Prisoners?"
A door to the side of the hall was opened, and a string of strange looking men and women were brought out in chains. They were Hoshidans, Corrin realised. The guard dragged them out and pulled out a key, handing it to the man who seemed to be their leader. He quickly unlocked his own cuffs and then began on his comrade's. The guard then dumped a sack on the ground with a clang. It was full of their confiscated weapons. Corrin turned to face Garon, confused.
"Father, if these are prisoners, then why are you setting them free?"
Garon pointed to Ganglari. "I wish to see you in real combat, not merely in training. These are prisoners from our most recent skirmish in Hoshido. Use that sword to strike them down."
Corrin gasped. "All of them?"
Garon looked back up at the prisoners. "I suppose there is a rather large number of them. Very well, Gunter and your servant man may assist you."
The prisoners at the far end of the hall were now fully freed, and arming themselves. Corrin had never fought in real combat in his life, yet the murderous look in the prisoner's eyes confirmed that he would have no choice. Gunter entered from another side door, followed by Jakob.
"Keep calm, Lord Corrin. They are tired from their captivity, and have poor quality weapons. We can easily win this battle" he advised.
Corrin lowered his voice to a whisper. "That's what I'm afraid of! Must we kill them?"
Gunter stared at him, shocked. "If we do not fight them, they will cut us down, and then try to kill our king. Did you not wish to be a warrior of Nohr?"
"Yes…"
"This is what is means to be a soldier. I know it is not pleasant. It never is. But you had best get used to the idea of killing now, lest it catch up with you on a real battlefield."
Corrin grimaced and held Ganglari out. The opponents were already advancing menacingly, weapons at the ready. He counted five in total- one bearing throwing stars, three with katanas and a sixth brandishing a club. They were outnumbered two to one. Even with Jakob and Gunter, Corrin wasn't sure how he planned to win. He took a tentative step forward, and felt a faint twinge of power under his foot.
"Is that… "
"Something wrong, my Lord?"
Corrin took another step, and the feeling became stronger. "I feel… something, emanating from the ground. Could it be…" Corrin held out his hand, which promptly became entangled in white light. With a burst of white, Corrin tapped into the dragon vein beneath the ground. The large, ornate statue that was in the middle of the hall was promptly torn apart, throwing rock around the room. When the dust cleared, a glowing half of light was left behind, just like with Xander. Different to that one, however, this one was much larger, covering half the width of the hall. Jakob gasped.
"Extraordinary! No statue can stand up to your might lineage."
Garon grinned wide. "Heh. Well done."
Gunter aimed his lance forward and set his horse at a trot. "Excellent plan, Milord. Now we can wait in there for them to come to us."
The prisoners at the far end of the room had recovered from their shock. Their leaders, a green haired man dressed in traditional ninja gear and a dark skinned woman in a tribal head dress, advanced ahead of their group.
The woman spoke first. "I am Rinkah! Daughter of the Flame Tribe's honourable chieftain. I would know your name before I end your life, Nohrian scum!"
Corrin fell into step alongside Gunter, Ganglari pulsing with energy in his hand. "I am Corrin, prince of Nohr."
The ninja faltered in his step. "Corrin?"
"Have you heard of me?"
He did not respond, instead falling into a combat stance."... I am Kaze, a Ninja of Hoshido. Show me what you can do."
Kaze and Rinkah broke into a sprint, charging at the small party, their own troops right behind them. King Garon sharply waved his hand.
"Corrin! Serve as my will and execute them!"
Corrin stepped into the silver light, and immediately felt the aches of his long journey fade away. In fect, he felt better than healed. He felt invigorated. Jakob approached behind them, bearing several daggers on his person.
"Milord, I've trained well in the dagger- effective both up close and at range. They are coated with a numbing poison, which should greatly decrease their fighting power."
Corrin watched as the group of Hoshidans grew closer. Mere seconds to combat now. He needed a combat plan. Countless lessons from Leo in the art of strategy flooded back into his head. "Gunter! Engage Rinkah in combat, keep her busy! I will take the swordsman with red hair. Jakob, hit the Swordsman in blue with a dagger!"
Jakob swiftly obeyed his liege's instruction, hurling a dagger with a swift yet potent swing. It streaked towards its target like a blur, and embedded itself in the swordsman's neck. The man fell, gurgling on his own blood. Corrin had no time to reflect on the death, however, as now the prisoners were upon them.
"I will cut you down!" Gunter shouted. With a battle cry, he launched his horse forward like an arrow, lance poised forward. Rinkah found herself caught off guard by such an attack, but she managed to move to the left just enough for the lance to skim past her eye. Swinging her club in counterattack also missed, and Gunter brought himself around for a second charge.
Corrin had no time to issue any other orders. The swordsman he chose to engage had deft skills with a blade, blocking every strike from Corrin with ease. Kaze suddenly appeared in his peripheral vision, distracting him. The swordsman saw an opening and dashed in, the blade stabbing into his shoulder. With a cry of pain, Corrin brough the Ganglari down in an executioner's stroke, stabbing deep into his opponent's back. The swordsman spluttered, coughing blood onto Corrin's chest. Then he slumped down, well and truly dead. Jakob was at his side immediately, hurling a dagger at Kaze. The ninja moved in a blur, snatching the dagger out of the air and dropping it onto the floor.
"Milord, are you hurt? Oh, yes. Not to worry, Butlers can use staves to heal wounds. Allow me…" Jakob drew the short staff from his waist and held it over Corrin's shoulder. With a soft pulse of green energy, the wound closed itself up. The silver aura around them quickly caused the lingering pain to fade. Jakob stood back up and immediately found himself fighting the third swordsman. The butler stepped back from every swing, not seeing any openings and keenly aware that Kaze was lining up a throw with a shuriken. "Milord! Some help would be greatly appreciated!"
Corrin stared down at the body he had created. He looked barely older than himself, blood seeping out over the grey stone from his mortal wound. Ganglari had seemed to move of its own accord, stabbing at the most lethal point. This… this was war? Corrin wanted no part in it.
"MILORD! I REQUIRE YOUR ASSISTANCE!" Jakob shouted. The swordsman had gained the upper hand by forcing him out of the silver aura, making him tire as he ducked away from the blows.
Corrin looked away from the body and saw his butler, one of the closest friends he had, get hit in the leg by a shuriken from Kaze. The man fell backwards onto his behind, ironically causing him to duck under the latest swipe from his opponent. The swordsman drew his blade back, prepared to drive it into Jakob's chest.
"NO! STOP!"
Corrin threw himself forward, bearing his blade forward. The swordsman turned to face the shout, catching a glimpse of Corrin just before the blade sunk into his stomach. The swordsman gasped, blood spurting out like a fountain, coating the dark blade in more blood. In his shocked mind, Corrin wondered if the reason the blade was so red from all the blood it had been soaked in. The swordsman slid off his blade, dropping his katana down with a clang. Jakob got back up onto his knees, hurling a dagger at Kaze. The ninja easily dodged, but it forced him back.
"Thank you, milord. Are you hurt at all?"
Corrin tore his gaze away from the dead man beneath him. "No… no I'm fine. Yourself?"
Jakob reached down and pulled the shuriken from his leg. "Nothing a stave can't heal, milord. I will keep this Hosidan trickster engaged, it appears that Gunter requires your assistance."
Turning around, Corrin saw that Gunter had been driven well back by the fiery savage. He was visibly panting, well outside of the healing aura, with several large dents on his armour. Rinkah looked much worse for wear as well, bearing a gash on her bare stomach and holding her club much more loosely. Nevertheless, she roared a battle cry and charged forward, club aloft.
"I'll burn you to ash!"
To Corrin's amazement, as the club swung towards Gunter it began to glow with fire, slamming into his lance with a burst of flame. His jaw practically dropped when he saw Gunter's lance melt at the point where she hit it, breaking in half and leaving him with a useless stick. Gunter was without a weapon. Corrin sprinted towards his stalwart knight.
"We've got this!"
Before Rinkah could react to the new presence he was upon her, slicing the Ganglari horizontally. She had no way to avoid the blow. It cut across her midriff and right arm, forcing her to drop her club and clutch her abdomen. Gunter wasted no time, spurring his horse forward in a charge. Rinkah tried to step aside, but still got clipped by the heavily armored war horse running full gallop. She was knocked aside, hurled like a leaf onto the ground where she lay comatose.
Corrin didn't waste time to check on her condition. How was Jakob doing? Turning around, he saw his butler was staying inside the Aura of light, exchanging knives with Kaze. The butler was doing significantly better, aided by the healing Aura, while Kaze was tiring from all the poison in his body. Before he could ask if the butler needed help, Jakob hurled another dagger which embedded itself firmly in Kaze's chest. The ninja let out a gasp, before the poison finally overwhelmed him and he fell down unconscious. Corrin breathed out a sigh of relief.
"Guess I did alright. They were tough, weren't they? I hope all Hoshidans aren't this strong."
Garon clapped his hands. "Very good, my boy. But you have not yet finished your task. The Ninja and Savage yet live. Finish them."
Corrin looked around them at the bodies he had cut down, and then at the comatose bodies of Rinkah and Kaze, both barely clinging to life. "But father… they're beaten. Surely there has been enough killing this day?"
Garon drew himself up to his full, fearsome height. "You dare to question me, your king? These are enemies of Nohr, and I am ordering you to kill them!"
Corrin could feel the blood on his armor. Not his own, but blood that had been part of a living being mere moments before. He had no desire to see another living being killed, not now or ever. "No! It's wrong!"
Garron snarled. "Very well. If you have not the stomach for this work, I shall do it myself." The king of Nohr held out his hand, with became wreathed in flame. With a wave of his hand, a colossal fireball shot forward towards the limp form of Rinkah. Corrin acted on complete instinct. Throwing himself towards Rinkah, he held Ganglari in front of him, shielding his face with his other hand. With a roar of fire, the flames washed over him.
Or rather, didn't.
Ganglari seemed to flare all the brighter with dark energy, sucking the flames towards itself. The blade glowed red hot for a few moments as it absorbed the fire, before immediately cooling back to its usual dull red. The fireball had disappeared, seemingly into thin air. The royal party watching next to Garon all gasped.
"Corrin! What are you-" Elise began.
"Unbelievable" Xander spat.
Garon took a step towards Corrin, his face an unreadable mask. "You defy me directly, Corrin? What would you have me do with these prisoners, set them free? They travelled into Nohr seeking to scout it for an assault. You think I- no, Nohr- can afford to allow them to keep living?"
Corrin stood resolutely in front of Rinkah. "They are broken and beaten. They were prisoners before, could they not stay that way?"
Xander stepped in front of Garon. "Father, please forgive him! He doesn't understand the situation here!"
"Fine then. Xander, you kill them. And push aside anyone who chooses to stop you." Garon stared hard at Corrin.
"... Very well." Xander turned to face Rinkah, still being shielded by Corrin. "Stand down, Corrin. If you don't, I will be forced to…"
Corrin held his place. "No, Xander. I won't let you do this!"
Xander sighed and drew his own dark blade, Seigfried. He advanced towards Rinkah, menacingly brandishing the sword in an attempt to dissuade Corrin from his folly. "Why do you refuse, Corrin? You know the Hoshidans are our sworn enemies."
"I know, but… this is different. These people can't fight anymore. Why not show mercy?"
Camilla sighed, clenching her fists tightly. "Please, Corrin, don't fight him… My dear, sweet, Corrin."
Elise shrieked as Xander took a swing at Corrin. "No no no! Leo, what should we do?"
The elder prince sighed. "Why does this always fall to me?" the dark mage drew an aged looking tome from beneath his robes. "Brynhilder! Strike them down!"
Corrin turned towards Leo just in time to see his tome light up, runic sigils floating around the dark mage. Before he could ask what was going on, the ground beneath Kaze and Rinkah split apart, and from the cracks erupted gnarled tree roots, twisting around the helpless Hosidans. With sickening crunch, it clenched tighter, enveloping them fully. As quickly as the branches had appeared, they retracted back into the ground, with no Hoshidans in sight. Leo gave a slight bow to Garon.
"Father, I have dispatched our enemies on behalf of my soft hearted brother. I only ask that you are merciful in your punishment of him."
Garon turned away from the royal party. "... I am most disappointed, Corrin. I had hoped you would be prepared for war, but it seems I am wrong."
"Father… I… I'm sorry."
Garon began to walk towards the door. "If you were any other persson, your compassion would be admirable. But you are a prince of Nohr. It would be best you learn how to act like one. I will not stand for such insolence again."
With his final statement echoing through the battleground, King Garon left the royal party with the corpses.
As soon as the doors clanged shut behind the king, Corrin turned to face Leo. "Leo, how could you? They were beaten! There was no need to execute them!"
Leo drew Corrin close and whispered in his ear. "Agreed. Now, hush. The servants are watching."
He pulled away from Corrin and walked over to Xander, who he muttered a few things to. Nodding in agreement, Xander called one of the hooded servants over to him. "We will be taking our leave now. These warriors fought with honor and integrity. Bury them in the northen district cemetary, and take care as you do so."
The servant bowed. "As you wish, Milord."
Xander sighed and turned to Corrin. "Mark my words, little brother. One day, your kind heart will be the death of you."
Begining to suspect what his brothers had just orchestrated, Corrin grinned. "Perhaps. But if I have such a heart, I will die without regrets."
"... Well said. Come, we must make haste before out deception is discovered."
As the group walked out of the bloodied hall, Corrin fell into step alongside Leo. "Brother, your spell..."
"Is a disguised warp, yes. Whenever I feel it best not to kill someone, I cast that altered version. I should have followed father's orders this time, though. But Camilla and Elise make such a fuss whenever I do anything to upset you."
"Heh, they always have been protective that way. But seriously, thank you Leo. I'm sorry for teasing you about your collar."
Leo sighed, but kept smiling. "You can thank me by NOT mentioning it again."
Elise, having been let in on the secret by Camilla, giggled. "That was great, Leo!"
Camilla shrugged. "It may well have been, but I doubt this is fully under the rug. Father has a knack for discovering things we prefer to keep buried."
Elise laughed. "Like your first boyfriend, sis?"
Camilla buried her face in her hands. "Please, Elise. You can stop bringing that up any day now."
Leo smiled along with Elise. "You tried so hard to keep him a secret, always sneaking off in the middle of the night. Father found out though, didn't he? Insisted that he had to 'test the boy's honor." Why, whatever did happen to him?"
"I grew up from such flights of fancy. He may have endured father's scrutiny, but he did not survive mine for long. There is a high standard I keep for those in my personal life." Camilla smiled at Corrin. "You pass, of course."
Corrin grinned slightly, still far to unnerved by the blood on his hands to feel in any jovial mood.
Once they completed the long journey up and out of castle Krakenburg, Leo revealed where had had warped the two Hoshidan warriors to. A derelict house in the southern district, seemingly abandoned, but securely sealed for anyone trying to get in or out. Thankfully, when Leo had opened the doors they had not been immediately attacked but instead had to ensure Kaze did not swiftly die of blood loss. A series of heals from Jakob and Elise quickly saw both Rinkah and Kaze brought back to full health, although Elise did use a sleeping stave on them to ensure they didn't try anything while still in Windmire. Covering them up with canvas and slinging them over Xander's horse, the royals quickly smuggled the Hoshidan soldiers out of the capital.
"They were caught fairly early into their expedition. Hopefully, they don't have any important information to gather back."
Camilla and Elise had returned to the capital, leaving Corrin, Leo and Xander to wait for Kaze and Rinkah to wake up. They were far outside of the city limits, cloaks around their shoulders to keep out the cold.
"Ideally, we wouldn't release them at all. Here we are, princes of Nohr, going to all this trouble just to smuggle out some Hoshidan spies. It's outrageous." Leo muttered.
"... Please try to understand. Seeing them lying there, helpless... I couldn't let myself stand by and let them die. Not after so much death had already occurred."
Xander shuffled in place to keep warm. "Corrin. I ask you this question seriously. Do you still wish to serve Nohr as a soldier? I am sure father could find other ways to put you to use off the battlefield."
Corrin thought over the answer long and hard. Could he truly be a soldier if he didn't want to kill people? More importantly, would his father even let him leave the battlefield after he had gone through so much trouble to raise him as a warrior? Ever since he could remember Xander had filled his head with stories about the glory of fighting for Nohr. He had just been in his first battle. He didn't feel glorious.
"... I don't know. This isn't how I expected war to be like. The Hoshidans... they were people."
Leo nodded. "Yes, they are. And so are the countless hundreds of people who live in Nohr right now, on the brink of starvation. Hoshido has vast wealth and resources that they chose not to share with us. Look at Cheve: They voluntarily surrendured themselves to Nohrian rule, and now they have become a booming economic capital. Hoshido has vast wealth, but they choose to squander it on themselves with extravegant feasts and festivals. We have to act in the best interests of our people, and when we conquor Hoshido, they will be our people to. Redistribute wealth and food across the whole Nohrian empire, ensuring all have enough. We are no monsters, Corrin. The world could be a better place under Nohrian rule."
"Hah! I've never heard such garbage in my life." Rinkah sat up from where she had been laid against a boulder. "Nohrian logic at its finest. You attack our borders, raid our villages, slaugher our soldiers and have the nerve to call us the wrongdooers?"
Xander got to his feet and drew his blade. "Be silent, and listen well. It is only my brother's kind heart that has brought your freedom. Dissapear now, lest you be spotted by less merciful servants of our king."
Without saying a word, Kaze stood from where he had been lying and stalked off into the night. Rinkah was much more vocal. "Tch. I am not a hostage to be freed. You said your name is Corrin? Next time we meet, you will pay for this humiliation!"
Corrin stood as well. "I hope that the next time we meet, it will be as friends."
Rinkah scoffed. "Softhearted and softheaded as well! I am a Hoshidan warrior. You do not understand what you suggest."
"Yes, we may be at war right now. But the day will come when we will be at peace, one way or another. I'm thinking ahead to that day."
Rinkah began to walk away after Kaze. "I've hear rumors of a sheltered Nohrian prince who knows nothing of the world. I see those rumors are true. If we do meet again, the world will no doubt have taught you the error of your ways." Rinkah dissapeared around another boulder and into the wintry night. The three princes of Nohr stood silent for a moment, before Leo spoke.
"I never though I would see the day when a Hoshidan savage spoke wiser words than a prince of Nohr. Listen well to her, Corrin. It is a fools errand to try and end this war by making friends."
Corrin felt Ganglari pulse from where he had it sheathed on his hip. The blade, he decided, was a lot like him. It could be used to destroy, like with the swordsman, but also to defend, like with Rinkah. It all depended on who wielded it, and who they fought for. It was a profound insight. The gift of Ganglari.
"... You may be right, Leo. You may be right."
Yet the waters ever change,
Flowing like time
