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Chapter 10: Catria

"Am I daydreaming again?"

Catria found herself walking through the market the citizens of Askr were a lively, friendly bunch; with a kingdom plagued by war and desolation neither extinguished their spirits. Perhaps they were a little too spirited. War was nothing to be lax about. Never knowing when the enemy would strike, the Pegasus knight felt envious the carefree nature. Trust earned from battle defending from the invading force of Embla and Muspell she felt empowered by the belief of the people and the pressure knowing they depended on them, protecting the kingdom from the malicious forces of the invading Kingdoms.

Every action, every battle won prevented Askr's fall expectations arose from the Askr Trio, from their Summoner. Even still, Catria found herself stopping now and again, window-shopping at various trinkets occupying the shelves, Tobin probably would want to know. The dedication to his siblings was admirable, always on his mind.

Palla and Est were always on her mind just as she was in theirs.

"Get a grip," Catria scolded. "You came here for fresh air. Then back to training!"

Her sisters were off doing their own thing, Est more than likely was catching up with Abel and Palla for certain was training on her own or perhaps refining her weapon. Close as the three were even they needed to have time apart.

"Hm?"

Harry entered her line of sight carrying what appeared to be a sack. Several sacks from the looks of things lumps hauled over his shoulder, face disgruntled attempting at carrying the sacks. The ends of her mouth twitch corners threatening bloom with giggles, Catria knew how wrong this was but unable to help herself from snickering, head shaking. The Pegasus knight gathered herself together clearing her throat. Everyone at the castle knew their summoner desired independence pulling his own weight outside the war, despite doing so much already from refining their weaponry, cleaning the castle from top to bottom; Jakob and Felicia were trying to get him to stop, doing the inventory, looking after the stables and restocking the cupboards, general labour everywhere. Many offered to lend their assistance ultimately giving him the space even with their worry, Harry did so much already none desired to see him run into the ground.

Nonetheless, they respected him enough to let him do what was needed, Catria had a sneaking suspicion that some of the Heroes aided him unbeknownst.

She approached. "Do you need some help?"

"T-That would be great!" Harry grunted, resigned. One of the sacks nearly slipped to the ground barely catching in time. "Thought I could handle this by myself."

"Isn't Lon'qu or Eldigan with you?"

"Lon'qu's training, Eldigan's with Ares." Emerald hues glanced, biting his lip. "Didn't want to disturb them."

Catria knew Ares, Eldigan's son had been summoned not that long ago, the two-spending time together catching up made a great deal of sense. She could not begin to imagine what that must be like having a child from the future and discovering that they never knew them, aware of the strife that the children from the World of Awakening experienced and those from the World of Jugdral. Hoping deep within her heart that her future descendants never endured such hardships.

"I-I see," She said. "That is why you are alone."

"I am capable of being alone without chaos erupting," Harry retorted, flatly. "Due to contrary belief."

"I'll believe that when I see it," She countered not unkindly, faintly smiling.

No matter where Harry went trouble was not too far behind. She grabbed two of the bags holding them with ease the heaviness went unnoticed by her taking a moment to measure the weight before lugging one over her shoulder.

"Potatoes," Harry spoke.

Catria blinked. "Excuse me?"

"It's potatoes. In the sacks," Harry repeated. "Lon'qu wants to cook something up and requesting potatoes."

"Odd," She responded, not entirely everyone in the army knew of the man's ability to peel potatoes. "I wonder what he'll make."

"It's Lon'qu so I'm sure that dinner tonight will be good," Harry remarked, off-handily. "But I think we'd better get these sacks back. And who knows maybe Marth will be there when we arrive."

Catria's face burned. "M-Marth?"

"Yes, Marth. Or back to your daydreaming of him."

"I-I don't daydream about him," She protested.

Harry smiled. "If you say so, Catria. If you say so."

[Catria and Harry have reached Support Rank C!]

Catria redoubled her efforts for her training.

The conversation with the summoner from the previous day remained in her mind aware of her unrequited love for Prince Marth, a vain attempt pushing her feelings away knowing where that his heart belonged to another. She could not and would not try to interfere. The prince deserved to be happy and if Marth was happy that's all that mattered. Their stations were far too different besides, he deserved better than a lowly Pegasus Knight, Catria decided to step aside. For his sake.

"…I think that's enough for today."

Catria's arm raised wiping her forehead, blue skies soared with few clouds to block the view. The fall steadily approached. Thankfully the Askran people knew how to cultivate their crops for the winter, from what Catria heard, the area had been summer-like all year around. Food and drink had never been a source of worry, the real fear stemmed from the attacks from Embla and Muspell.

"Catria?"

She paused and turned. "Harry, what is it?"

"Palla and Est were looking for you," Harry answered. "I think they want to try out some new technique that they wanted to try out a new technique."

"I see," Catria pressed her lips together. "That's expected. We did form the Triangle attack with the growing threat of Muspell, the three of us will need to do something new to overcome these odds. I'll report to them immediately."

Harry gave a slight, silent nod. "Is… that a thing?"

"Hm?" She glanced.

"New techniques and attacks?" His hand gestured slightly. "Is this something that a lot of people do?"

"We're at war. We need to keep ourselves ahead of the game if any of us want to survive and return home. I'm sure you've seen many of us training day in and day out, right? We can't let ourselves sit by and not grow. We need to grow, to get stronger." Catria knew that her words might have been harsh, nevertheless refused to speak falsehood.

"Right," Harry became oddly silently. "I know that Oscar and his brothers were working on something similar."

Catria heard the murmurs and whispers of the three brothers; the war which they hailed from brought them closer together performing a combo attack trapping an enemy and taking them out. It sounded vaguely familiar to what she and her sisters came up with.

"I see."

What else could be said?

"We could come up with an attack."

"I-I'm sorry?"

The summoner smiled. "A team combo. You and me, what do you say?"

"B-but I'm supposed to be protecting you," Catria stuttered, winded by the comment.

A look appeared on Harry's face which vanished far too quickly before she could even decipher the emotion, the summoner's desire to fight alongside the rest had been appreciated. Catria felt concern he already done enough, taking on far too much the added stress of learning a technique seemed counterproductive. The earnest gaze caused her resolve to crumble sighing in resignation. Her lips curled into a tiny smile finding herself unable to deny the summoner, Harry's determination to fight and his good heart they reminded her of someone.

"Very well," She agreed. "Let's form a combo attack together."

"I look forward to training with you," Harry said.

Catria smiled, averting her gaze and mumbled. "I hope this doesn't go astray…"

[Catria and Harry have reached Support Rank B!]

"Now!"

Who knew in just under a few weeks that Catria and Harry could be putting their combo attack in motion? The Summoner forced on the sidelines due to Brediablik's stubborn nature and downright refusal in allowing Harry the chance to properly fight, there were ways around the Divine weapon's nature. Launching himself straight at the enemy taking them off guard, Catria charged forward and rammed her javelin straight through the enemy tearing them upwards hurtling them forwards. The attack might have been a bit violent, they still did the trick installing fear, the tingle of satisfaction grew watching the combined forces of Muspell and Embla fleeing.

The gratification rushed through her watching Catria's team fighting off the commanding officers holding their line in vain while the soldiers ran, preserving the area and rescuing many who were taken prisoner by Embla's soldiers. Seeing them unharmed brought relief, the mission accomplished and the area acquired. Muspell's forces gave trouble, together managed to drive them away, a small victory may be but one to be proud of. Tending to tend to the wounded, passing out food to the hungry and watched the people mingled with one another reunited with their loved ones the flames of battle forgotten. Catria understood the importance of family her sisters meant the world to her seeing parents and children hug one another, siblings holding each other close and lover's bonds of love made her heartache.

Just how selfish could she be?

"You did good today, Catria," Harry spoke.

Her hues blinked watching the summoner plop next to her, bowl in hand passed over. "Here. You looked like you need something to eat."

"I –I see," Catria accepted the bowl grabbed the spoon and halted. "I didn't do much."

"Nonsense," Harry's head shook. "Look at how many people you and your team helped saved today, Catria. You not only chased off their invaders, helped them during their times of need but gave them the hope that they were looking for. That is a powerful thing. Hope can be difficult to find when war is found. Struggling to remain positive and find good again, can be notoriously scarce." His expression grew dark in a way which she had never seen before vanishing melting into a handsome smile directed towards her. "You did this Catria. You gave these people something to believe in again, be proud of yourself and your team."

"I…."

Just what could she say to a speech like that? As a member of the Whitewings problems never ceased during her time under Marth and under Celica, now under Harry. Her cheeks burnt brightly hands shaking nearly tipping over the bowl of soup stuttering to voice her thoughts, Catria could not properly speak.

"W –Well… I guess you could say that. It's really because of your strategy that we were able to accomplish this and free these people, Harry." Trying to deflect the compliment, the training she and Harry shared together helped create the combo move startling the enemy, Catria suspected that Alfonse, Sharena and Anne would not be happy discovering the technique, head bowing down. "You did your own fair share of work too. It's because of you coming up with the idea of training together that you and I were able to pull this off. You deserve the credit as much as we do."

Harry's eyes danced with mirth. "I still think you and your team deserve the credit more, Catria."

"You're incorrigible."

Then why did her face feel so red?

[Catria and Harry have reached Support Rank A!]

"Seems that we've managed to make significant progress within the past few weeks, long as we keep going at this rate we should be able to secure a fair amount of areas around the continent. Our recent reports have shown us that there are currently fractured interests between Muspell and Embla's current movements."

Catria felt rather pleased with the diligent work that the Order of Heroes managed to accomplish, their collective strength push backed against Embla's and Muspell's forces. The battles were not easy, the flames of Muspell were a force to be reckoned with due to the backing of Embla, things proved perilous for them and the people of Nifl. Even so, none of them backed down. The updated report from Reinhardt via from the infiltrators (Kagero, Saizo, Matthew and a few others) collective sighs of relief shared all around. There had been no place for them to become complacent, war remained on the horizon, so long as Veronica had the ability to force contracts on Heroes and Surtr's unyielding desire to thrust the world into flames the battles would never cease.

The wedge between Muspell and Embla came to no surprise. Different motives within combined armies lead towards conflict of interests and internal strife, the Order of Heroes could use towards their advantage and put them off balance. As the meeting adjourned, the rest of the leaders gathered their things to report to their respective teams.

Marth, the man of whom her heart belonged flashing a smile bidding her farewell until later, oddly enough she did not feel as moved as usual.

"Catria?"

Her eyes tore away pausing mid-stride and gave her attention towards the source. "Harry?"

"Do you have any time right now?"

"With me?" She felt surprised. "I certainly have no problem. I'd like to keep this talk brief if you'd please, I have to meet up with Palla and Est for a training session that we planned."

Inwardly Catria cursed herself sounding so desperate and short. How could she react like that, besides that where had this reaction even come from?! Even when around Marth never had the Pegasus Knight reacted in such a manner. It was unbefitting! No. This would not do a rough shake of her head adjusting her posture.

"What do you wish to speak to me about?"

The summoner tilted his head. "Do you mind if we take this to somewhere private?"

"Private?" Her head tilted confused. "Is… this a delicate manner?"

"You could say that."

Catria furrowed her brows curiosity bubbling pondering over what Harry desired to speak with her about. Their latest victory was enough to gain the scorn from Veronica and her forces recalling the irate disposition from the so-called Queen, she took great pleasure enjoying the frustration and anger from Veronica for freeing another land from the tyrant's reign. The Pegasus knight held her head high recalling the glare Veronica sent Harry cursing him with every fiber of her being while the rest of her team watched from the sidelines before cowering away with Xander at the helm, she felt justified in her satisfaction; freeing civilian and heroes alike from her control was more than enough payment, the war continued onward, progress made was something worth being proud. She knew first hand the terror which the Embla Queen brought to those around her and who suffered in her palms, such cruelty could never be condoned or forgiven.

Curiosity swelled following Harry from the war room strolling through the hallway silently. Not an entirely out of the norm given how quiet that their summoner was very few managed to truly notice him unless processing such skill and perception, Catria recalled a rumour where even Saizo and Kagero, trained shinobi from Hoshio, were taken off guard by his sudden appearance. The summoner was filled with mystery and contradictions. A giant puzzle that no one was close to solving, something about Harry drew people to him like moths to a flame. There had been no denying the sheer charisma which Harry wielded in his words, in his actions and his personality people followed him whether he realized or not, the loyalty each of them felt to the summoner was due to Harry's genuine honesty, his willingness to do the right thing and refusal to bend down to anyone.

As thoughts strayed about their summoner Catria felt her cheeks burn brightly.

'How inappropriate,' She scowled inwardly. 'Stop thinking such things. You've gotten your heart broken before do not do this again!'

"I think this is a good place to talk."

Catria blinked pulling herself out of her thoughts noticing the gardens surrounding them, flowers swinging back and forth glowing beneath the rays of the sun lightening the area beautifully. The sight caused her to take a breath in awe the flowers shimmered around her, stepping forward head whipping around at the flowers.

"When was this…"

Harry laughed nervously. "I've been working on the garden for a while. When things got stressful I came out here to unwind."

"It's beautiful," Catria said. "You did all this?"

"Believe or not, yeah." The discomfort could be seen miles away observing him shift and glanced. "Do you like them?"

She nodded, hesitantly. "That's one way of saying things, yes. Why did you bring me out here?"

"I noticed that you seemed rather stressed lately after you and I came up with that combo technique. I couldn't help think, whether there was something I could do to help," Harry answered, truthfully glancing shyly.

"Oh!" Catria folded her hands. Harry did this for her? That was rather sweet. "I –It certainly is something," She stuttered, reining in her composure. "You didn't have to go that far for me."

His emerald hues shined as they softened, the smile was warm and welcoming. "I know but I wanted to."

"H-Harry…"

His hand held up halting her. "I'm… not really good with, well, with this. Speaking and sharing feelings, I wanted to because I care for you. I know that you'll never feel that way about me, your heart belongs to someone else and I respect that. I just… felt that I should be honest instead of trying to keep things bottled up." Harry breathed quietly. "You deserve to be happy, Catria but I do care for you. I won't tell you that it's love. I'm not sure whether this is love or admirable affection. I do know that I care for you deeply."

"Harry…" Catria cupped her hands over her chest. In the past, while the Pegasus Knight could not fully deny the fact that her time with the Summoner brought on affections she felt only around Marth now surfaced when around Harry, however, the soldier within scolded her for having such feelings for her someone of higher rank. The chances of someone mistaken their relationship for nepotism or worse could break the trust forged with the Heroes and the Askr trio, the looming threat of Muspell's alliance with Embla continued to weigh over them. "I care for you too," she admitted. "But right now, I think it would be best for us to keep… whatever this is between us. Or at least after the war has been won. For both of our sakes."

"If it does become something," Harry added, calmly.

Catria nearly sighed relieved noting that the summoner was not offended by her words. "If it does, then… I'd like to go out on a date with you. Once we've won."

"That's a promise, then."

"For a lifetime."

[Catria and Harry have reached Support Rank S!]

Chapter 10 ends after a long-ass time which I apologize for. I was hoping to get this our earlier and quicker but hope this had been worth the wait and read.

The next chapter has already been started with everyone's HEAVILY requested character so keep on eye on that! Feel free to make a requests for Harry's next Support and next S-Support (male character!)

Question of the Chapter: Which World do you think Harry would NOT want to visit?