A/N 1: Thank you to everyone who've read and/or reviewed so far! Don't be shy if you're thinking about reviewing, every opinion counts! I've been really heartened by the response to this story thus far, it was better than I hoped. :D

Thanks to both TheDragonLover and carpfish for beta-reading this chapter over and providing input!

Important note at the end of the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Fire Emblem: Awakening.

Survivors

Chapter One: Grounded

"I know your heart is heavy, but this is how it must be. Your knight-sisters will be with you in spirit, wherever you go."

Cordelia was absolutely livid.

She should've been with Captain Phila and the other pegasus knights. Their task - escorting the Exalt back to the capital - may have sounded foolish, for they would be delivering themselves straight into enemy hands, but it was not their duty to question why. The pegasus knights had sworn an oath of loyalty, and they would uphold it even if it meant placing themselves in mortal danger or even giving their lives for the realm. They would perform their duties to the best of their abilities. They would follow their orders to the end.

But why did Captain Phila order her to remain with Prince Chrom and his Shepherds?

The redhead hadn't had a chance to voice her objections. Phila's tone had made it clear there would be no debate regarding the matter, and thus all she could do was hang her head and let one of the other Shepherds lead her away, the question still foremost in her mind. Lady Lissa had gone pale the moment the pegasus knight had stepped into the medical tent, and it didn't take her very long to realize why. Chrom's younger sister wasn't as battle-hardened as the others - the chilling sight of the pegasus knight, eyes red and puffy, armor covered in blood and gore, must have shook her to her very soul.

Ylisse's princess had directed her to the nearest empty bedroll and swiftly checked her over, murmuring a few healing spells whilst gripping her staff with a little more force than necessary. As soon as she was done, the younger woman excused herself, darting out of the tent faster than an arrow shot from a bow. The sounds of someone throwing up reached her ears soon after, and Cordelia couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for the girl. War claimed not just lives but the innocence of children as well.

Left alone for the moment, the red-haired woman let her thoughts wander. Perhaps the captain's decision had stemmed from her actions during the previous battle - or rather, those after. Even if she had not personally witnessed the event, word would definitely have spread to her regarding the brawl. Cordelia was admittedly the aggressor in that fight; the myrmidon had surprisingly done little more than shield himself and shove her off of him each time she attempted to pin him down. Such conduct was hardly befitting for an enlisted soldier, let alone one of Ylisse's famed pegasus knights. She would not be surprised if Phila eventually informed her that this reassignment was a punishment of sorts, a substitute for a sentence in the detention barracks.

Thinking of that incident simply angered her further. Gritting her teeth, Cordelia slowly exhaled, willing the rage to leave her body with that breath. Her eyes went to her fists and she forced herself to unclench them, her mind screaming at her muscles to relax. A bucket of water being placed at her feet caught her attention, and she glanced up to meet the appraising gaze of a woman in the armor of a cavalier.

"You look like crap," the newcomer spoke, sitting down next to her. "This'll help. Just don't dump the whole bucket over your head. Your armor can wait."

The pegasus knight nodded her thanks, cupping her hands together and dipping them into the bucket. She splashed the lukewarm liquid over her face, letting out a small sigh, then swiftly scrubbed the drying blood from her cheek and jaw. When she was done, the once-clear liquid in the bucket had become translucent and pink.

"Name's Sully."

"Cordelia."

"I gotta say, you've got guts - and I don't mean what's probably on you. You've also got one heck of a right hand," Sully remarked, gingerly nursing a bruise on her cheek. Cordelia flushed; when the Shepherds had pulled her off of the myrmidon, she'd instinctively struggled against them, lashing out at anything within reach. Apparently, she'd gotten in a few extra blows.

"You have my deepest apologies," the pegasus knight bowed her head. "I was not myself."

"Don't worry about it. We all do stupid stuff in the heat of the moment sometimes." Sully stood and stretched. "Anyways, I'd best be going. Get'cha-self cleaned up and go see Frederick - I think you two know each other. He's the one in charge of all that logistical bullcrap. Seeya around, Cordelia."

With a parting nod, the cavalier departed the tent. Cordelia sighed, her eyes dropping down to her reflection in the water. Her eyes widened; she could've sworn she'd scrubbed off all the blood on her face earlier, so why was her face still bloody? Hastily dipping her hands in the water, she began cleaning her face once again, and then a third time just to be sure. She eyed her reflection, confusion and fear knotting her gut as a bloodied face stared back at her. What manner of witchcraft is this?!

The urge to hurl the bucket away washed over her. It took all the self-control she had to not give in, and when she finally dared to look at her reflection again, the bloodstains were gone. Cordelia's brow furrowed. Must be the fatigue. Pushing the incident out of her mind, the red-haired woman picked up the bucket and left the tent. Whilst it was definitely undrinkable, it would be a shame to simply dump the water when her armor needed cleaning.

Dinner was thankfully a quiet affair.

It was at least a full two hours after sundown when Cordelia dragged herself towards the mess tent, feeling somewhat naked without her armor. Her outfit had finally returned to its usual colors after several hours of maintenance, but it still reeked of that coppery stench she had come to associate with blood. While the breastplate, shoulder guards and other metallic sections were still combat-worthy, the tunic had been ruined beyond repair. Fortunately, she'd managed to scrounge up a few spares from what meager supplies she had on her pegasus. Sully had dropped by once again during her 'laundry session', informing her that her steed had returned to their camp unscathed - praise the gods for that tiny miracle. She made a mental note to check on her pegasus the next day, as well as speak with the quartermaster and obtain some new weapons.

For now, she simply wanted to eat, appearances be damned.

The meal was a simple stew, served by an olive-haired man who gave her a tired smile. Politely returning the gesture, Cordelia thanked the man before settling into the nearest bench and eying her food. The portion was generous, to say the least - her bowl was filled to the brim with assorted vegetables and chunks of meat covered in a rich brown gravy. Better yet, it actually smelt good - not just edible, but good. Unable to resist any longer, she eagerly dug into the meal - by the gods, it was still warm!

Needless to say, the bowl was quickly emptied. The pegasus knight sighed, setting down her spoon and leaning back in the bench, proper posture be damned. Her eyes wandered around the mess tent - a few of the other Shepherds had trickled in for their meals as well, filling the air with the comfortable buzz of conversation. The olive-haired man hummed a tune as he refilled the stew pot, whilst a burly warrior with blonde hair was busy pouring the contents of his bowl down his throat, boasting about some feat or another to the female beside him. Cordelia recognized the woman as Lady Maribelle of Themis, and briefly wondered what she was doing amongst the Shepherds - the noblewoman must've been thinking along the same lines, scrunching up her nose in disgust as the warrior belched loudly.

The Shepherds were definitely an interesting bunch.

"Pardon me, milady." There was a tired grunt and a metallic clatter as an imposing figure in full plate armor sat across from her. Cordelia swore she could hear the bench creaking with the added weight. "I pray I'm not intruding?"

The pegasus knight felt a small smile creep onto her face. In a land of uncertainty, here was a familiar landmark at last. "It is good to see you again, Frederick."

"Likewise, milady. I only wish the circumstances were better." Frederick's stern expression visibly softened. "My deepest sympathies."

Her smile fled her face as the dots connected, memories threatening to rush to the forefront of her mind. The tent felt claustrophobic, the walls of fabric pressing in on her, making it hard to breathe. She suddenly longed for solitude.

"Milady? Cordelia? Forgive me if my words regarding your fallen knight-sisters were insensitive-"

She shook her head. "...may they give me strength," she replied, struggling to keep her voice steady. On the other side of the table, the brown-haired man frowned as if he wanted to say something else, but in the end settled for a simple nod.

"Anyways, I am merely here as a messenger. I have taken care of the arrangements regarding the care of your pegasus. Regarding your lodgings, a particular Shepherd was… insistent on being your tent-mate. Seeing no harm to it, I relented - your personal belongings have already been moved to her tent. It is second from the back."

He hadn't changed one bit. "Y-you have my gratitude."

Another nod. "Do not worry about your duties as a Shepherd just yet, as well as your responsibilities around camp; I will slot you into the roster as soon as you are settled. Your tent-mate also insisted on waiting for you, and to provide your orientation as well." The great knight rose, dipping his head in a bow of farewell. "I shall trouble you no further. Until we meet again."

"Farewell, Frederick."

She waited until he had left to join the queue at the stew pot before slipping out of the tent.

The night air was crisp and cool, caressing her face and hair with the gentleness of a lover's hand. On other nights, she would've gladly welcomed its touch, but this time she wanted nothing more than to slap it away. Even the heavens would not leave her in peace.

Cordelia narrowed her eyes, focusing on putting one foot in front of the other. It seemed that everywhere she went, there were Shepherds milling about, either individually or in small groups. The camp buzzed with activity despite the time; some Shepherds chatted quietly, exchanging small talk or words of greeting and encouragement, while others inspected and maintained various pieces of equipment, both mundane and magical. The camaraderie amongst them was all too familiar to the red-haired woman, but it just wasn't the same as that of the pegasus knights. Even now, her mind played spot-the-difference, comparing and contrasting the two groups instinctively, and the divergences cut into her anew.

Her observant nature was now a curse rather than a blessing.

The pegasus knight sighed. Her thoughts continued to torment her, much like a bad joke that her knight-sisters continually told back at their barracks, but this time there was no escape. She could not find a distraction, nor summon the strength to direct her mind towards feeling irritation or even anger at Frederick's words - as well-intentioned as they were. Spotting her assigned tent, the red-haired woman quickened her pace, throwing the flap aside as soon as it was within reach and ducking into the tent. Was she destined to feel nothing but pain and loss? She did not know, nor care for the answer, focusing on her bedroll and nothing else. All she wanted was to let the blissful oblivion of sleep claim her and wash away all the pain -

"Cordelia?"

Cordelia froze. The voice, gentle and feminine, simply brought back even more memories from good times long past. Emotions churned in her gut, threatening to overwhelm her, to bring her to her knees and reduce her to nothing more than a sobbing mess - yet she held firm, at least for the moment. Slowly she turned, wanting to delay the inevitable meeting of the concerned, wide-eyed stare of her brown-haired tent-mate.

"...w-well met, Sumia. How… how are you doing?"

Sumia did not say anything as she quickly set aside the book she had been reading, concern etched all over her features. Her response came a few moments later in the form of a tight embrace, pulling the red-haired woman in close as she choked back a sob of her own.

"I heard. I'm so sorry."

And even as Cordelia's arms wound themselves tightly around the other woman, she felt something in her breaking into pieces.

A/N 2: No interactions with Lon'qu yet, but don't worry. Cordelia can't possibly avoid him forever. xD I wanted to expand on some of her other initial meetings with other Shepherds, way before her canon C-rank supports with them, since in those everyone seems to know one another.

Anyways, important note:I will be unable to write as much as before from mid-September onwards due to me having to fulfill my country's national service obligations (look up Singapore national service if you want to know more). I fully intend to continue and hopefully finish this story, though, but there will most likely not be any updates for the next three weeks or so. I will try to get an update schedule or something up when I have more details. Apologies. x_x

Like always, all forms of feedback is welcome, be it reviews or PM!