A wee bit of Arkelle and Lon'qu in this one, as requested ;)
/Zen
Cordelia helped Sumia right the overturned hay carts of the village of Ilmahan with the help of a dark brown work horse. His shaggy mane hung over into his eyes and he was in desperate need of a good grooming, but he had a warm temperament and a strong back. Someone had suggested they use one of the Pegasi for the job before the locksmith had offered up his horse. Sumia had nearly jumped down their throat at such a menial use of the fine animals.
Cordelia smiled to herself, urging the work horse forward a little more. They wanted to right the wagon without damaging it any further, not smash it. She hoped Gregor or Donnel would be able to mend the wheel on the left side which the bandits had wrecked. Its spokes dangled uselessly and there was a crack in the wall of the wheel itself.
Chrom and Arkelle had decided to stay in the village a little longer. It seemed Frederick had been left behind with the remainder of the army under orders to pack up and meet them in the village, so there was no point in returning. It would be well after midday before the whole of the Shepherds were together again most likely. Moving a camp that size, and with less hands to do it, always took time.
"Just a little more," Sumia called over her shoulder. She'd stripped off most of her armor and was sweating in her light gray tunic as she struggled with the one broken wheel, trying to keep it from getting caught beneath the wagon as the horse pulled it upright.
"Keep your hands clear," Cordelia told her, tugging the horse forward another couple steps.
"Got it!"
The wagon settled back onto its wheels, leaning heavily onto the side with the wrecked one.
"What a mess," Sumia said. She wiped her hands off on her pants and glared at the wheel. "You'd think those idiots would have better things to do than just wreck what hardworking people have made."
"Agreed. Have you got this now? I want to see if Chrom needs anything else," Cordelia told the other woman, wiping her own hands clean. "If not, I'll retrieve the Pegasi."
"Sure, I'm fine."
Cordelia nodded, silently pleased. Sumia had come a long way, and she was becoming more capable with every day. More confident too, which was half the problem. When you aren't sure of yourself, it's a huge obstacle in the way of your ability.
She strode through the camp, feeling the long braid she'd tied her hair back into slap against her back. She really ought to cut it, but she couldn't bring herself to do so.
"Cordelia!"
She turned, pausing when she saw Arkelle hurrying towards her. Off to the left Lon'qu stood with his arms crossed, his eyes tracking the tactician. He was nodding to something Gaius was saying, but his attention was fully on Arkelle.
"What can I do for you?"
"Some of the townspeople say there was livestock chased out of the carrels on the far side of town," Arkelle replied with a frown. Her brows were drawn together, with a single line of disapproval pinched between them. "Can you take your Pegasus out there and have a look?"
"Of course."
The tactician grinned at her, clapping her on the arm. "I knew I could count on you. Your sharp eyes will miss nothing."
"Your skill will be useful," Lon'qu agreed, appearing at Arkelle's shoulder. She looked up, not particularly surprised to find him there. Cordelia felt her heart ache watching them. There was nothing girlish or fanciful about the way Arkelle looked at him, nor foolish about the way he looked back at her. Even with Lon'qu's stand-offish attitude, it was clear in the protective way he stood next to her and the way he casually let their arms and shoulders brush that there was a connection. Something, she feared, she would never have or feel herself.
Better to just accept it, she told herself sternly. Nothing good ever comes from longing over something you can't have.
"To which skill are you referring?" the Arkelle teased the swordsmaster. "This is Cordelia we're talking about. Her skills out-number anyone else's!"
Cordelia flushed and objected, to which the other woman laughed. The couple bantered back and forth, Lon'qu's cheeks flushing slightly. Arkelle waved to her and then walking off, still teasing the swordsman. Cordelia waved back weakly, watching the two who were so absorbed in one another. Absorbed and in tune, but not lovesick like she'd been. Squaring her shoulders, Cordelia strode off in the opposite direction.
Arkelle had asked her to find the missing animals, and she'd do it without any moping.
When she reached her mount, she swung up easily. Riding was second only to breathing for her. Tapping the pegasus' flank with her heels, they rose upward together. The even rhythm of the wing beats calmed the frustration she felt.
Circling the village, she searched for the missing cattle. How many? She wondered. And what kind. She should have asked that.
Urging her pegasus lower, she scoured the hills. They were low and rolling, with sparse trees and some low bush. It wouldn't be much cover, but if she was looking for sheep it was possible they might hide in some of the foliage and she'd miss them altogether. She was nearly ready to head back when she saw some dark dots in the distance. Leaning hard right and using her knees to turn her mount, she squinted as they banked.
Sheep and cows filtered through a valley. They weren't actually that far off, they'd just drifted into an area that made it difficult to find them. Considering the position a moment, she figured if she made a big enough racket on the far end of the little herd they'd created she might be able to urge them into turning and heading back towards the village. There was only the question of what might be used to make the noise. She searched countryside around them, smiling when she found something that might just work...