I had never been one for reading. It had been forced upon me as a child. I always read stories about wars, affairs and heartbreak. But now I knew why; they had been trying to make me scared of the world.

I circled around the musty library, searching for any book on metamorphosis I could find. I picked up a few novels, none of which I was willing to scour for the information. I currently leafed through the dusty pages of lore from the times of the ancient kingdom. The pages smelled of age.

se ætgár; draca

My old English was broken at best, but I could scrape together various meanings over the page. The tale told of the Dawn and Dusk Dragons who bestowed their power upon weaponry so that the humans could end the Great War. I recognized Nohr as the capital of the Dusk Dragon on a map, and I figured the Dawn, stationed far away, had to be centered in Hoshido.

I knew this tale from when I was young. The dragons allowed the Great War to end and peace to preside over the land for centuries. Any conflict that grew too large could be quenched by the power of these legendary weapons. They were enchanted, enriched.

I closed the cover of the old book. I rubbed my eyes, tired from reading, and threw the novel into a pile with several others. I wasn't sure what I as trying to achieve. Answers would not come easy here.

The entire library was silent beside myself, sitting alone at a desk. I scattered parchment around before I began my search, but I failed to write any information of use. I had written little scribbles here and there, but nothing stood out to me. I didn't know what to look for.

Then, through the silence, footsteps sounded in the hall, nearing close. I recognized the clop of those shoes.

"Milady, are you here?"

I straightened myself in my chair and took a breath.

"Yes, Jakob, I'm here," I called.

He rounded the corner. He looked professional as always in his suit and dress and whatnot. With his hand holding the middle of his vest, he kept a countenance of prestige, even though he was a servant.

"Good. You've been ordered to be relocated."

I paused. I furrowed my brow and looked onto him with skepticism.

"Pardon me? What's happening?"

"A fort to the west has fallen," he explained calmly. "Perhaps attacked by Hoshidans. Some troops are being sent to investigate. In the meantime, all royalty has been issued to evacuate."

I pressed my lips together. For whatever reason, I didn't want to believe the Hoshidans were attacking. I still wanted to protect Nohr.

"Send me with those troops then."

But then, Hinoka could be attacking to give me a chance to return. My brow furrowed in thought, when I saw Jakob, I was confused. I had never seen him so flabbergasted. His mouth hung open, and though his hair rested in his face, he failed to move it.

"Milady, that's simply unwise, and the commander would never allow it."

I pursed my lips. I pressed my palms down on the table and pushed myself up.

"Is that right? Why don't we ask Xander himself?"

"He wouldn't allow it, milady."

I stepped over to the butler and waltzed passed him, slowly down the hall. He turned to follow me. I raised my voice so he could hear behind me.

"Then it's a good thing I have a leg up on him, isn't it?" I explained.

"Even so," he pressed. "Why would you want to enter a combat zone? I understand you are trained, but-"

Jakob would never understand, so I couldn't tell him. I couldn't let on that I had an edge other than my identity-the metamorphosis. He knew the Hoshidans wanted me, but he didn't know why. I couldn't tell him I had an immunity to physical pressure.

When I thought about my morphed state, I felt a fuzzy feeling in my chest. Warm, like the sensation of slight drunkenness after a light liqueur. I rubbed my chest as I walked. Jakob kept close behind. I took a deep breath. I still did not believe the dragon was entirely real, but it gave me confidence unlike any I had ever experienced.

"Because I'm completely safe. The Hoshidans want me, and they would never kill me. I can get a lot more done than mere soldiers."

Jakob stifled a rough response. He wanted me safe, and I knew that well. He did not want me to return to the Hoshidan presence.

We traversed the halls of the castle wing. Here, the palace was crafted of marble, with columns of an elegant design supporting the pathways. Grand openings allowed windows to cast a view of the gardens below. I knew these halls well; they were one of only parts of the castle I had been allowed to roam free as a child. We kept on until we reached the main castle chamber where, as expected, my Nohrian siblings stood with their servants. Camilla stood back, away from Xander and Elise. She was dressed in casual attire, but Elise was dressed in thick leathers with parcels slung around her waist. Xander helped her situate the packs on her belt.

"Woah, woah," I objected. "Elise isn't going out there."

Xander turned away from me. Camilla gave me a look of agreement.

"She is a great healer. And there are many wounded," he suggested.

"Then take me as well," I insisted. "I can help with the effort to retake the fort."

"Corrin, we will station you at another fort."

I pouted and rolled my eyes.

"Xander, I'm going. I'm not going to ask you again."

Camilla buffeted. She could not believe my directness. "Corrin!"

Xander waved Camilla down.

"Camilla, let it be if she is so adamant. Get your Ganglairi, Corrin."

I nodded, tapping my sword at my waist. "I have it. Where's Leo?"

"We haven't seen brother for days," Elise murmured, pain evident on her innocent face.

It wracked my mind. Leo had been gone for so many days. Even if he had fallen for a woman over the week, he would not have left for so long. I stiffened, raising my eyebrows and crossing my arms.

I pouted, "We could use him right now."

"Agreed," Xander mumbled. "We have search parties out now."

I shook my head. Search parties would never find him, especially if he didn't want to be found.

"Leo's a powerful sorcerer, if anyone had taken him captive, he would have to be subdued. No one's going to find him," I huffed. "It's a waste of resources."

"Try telling father."

"Maybe I will," I spat. I watched Camilla as she strolled over to me and grabbed me by the arm. She pulled me away from the others, speaking low, only to me.

"What are you thinking, sweet Corrin?"

I judged her. She would always fight for me, but gods forbid if I ever fought for myself.

I let out a huff. "I don't need you doing everything for me."

"Just because you've been outside the castle does not make you powerful, my dear."

I gave her a look of wonder. It mystified me that she thought so.

"Yes, it does. I, well, I experienced what they..." I trailed. "What they never wanted me to."

I knew she would not fully understand since she had not seen what happened back when those bandits had rallied around Silas and I. Unable to discern whether my hesitation to tell her came from fear of my imprisoned again or overall discernment, I quieted myself.

"Little Corrin, you're a princess. Your life is precious to the kingdom."

"Then why am I not allowed to fight for it?" I argued, and my own words left a sour taste in my mouth. "If it's my kingdom, let me stand by my brothers and sisters in the fight."

She smiled sadly but her expression told that she appreciated my comment.

"Very well, Corrin. I understand."

I stepped away from her, and I turned back to my siblings who were quickly readying themselves to run out the doors. I gave her a quick acknowledgment of her warning by nodding toward her. Once Elise had her satchel full of vulneraries and bandages, we proceeded out the main castle hallway. Servants carrying various clothes and fabrics dodged our path. As we stepped onto the plaza, I felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. Nostalgia, maybe?

The soldiers loaded cargo into wagons in a line, passing barrels and crates from person to person. These containers were loaded with various weapons, canteens, and bread. Servants carried linens and blankets to fill the bottom of the passenger wagons. When I entered, the plush surfaces were warm and inviting. I helped Elise in as well and she seated herself in the corner.

In some time, the army marched. Horses clopped. Several other healers were cramped into the space with us. The fleet rode on until the sun fell and on into the night. I played games with Elise to keep her entertained until she fell asleep.

When the soldiers stirred, I was prepared. I slept easy for the majority of the night, but in these early hours of the morning, before the sun woke, I found my sleep disturbed and broken. I was uncomfortable and sticky with sweat; anxiety set in. I needed to move, so as Elise and the others still slept, I escaped the wagon. Several soldiers stood watch and greeted me as I exited. I heard a few of the healers quietly wake inside.

The wagon remained on a hilltop overlooking the outpost. The fort had obviously sustained some damage, yet it still stood strong on the dark, blue-green grasslands. The midnight sky veiled the finer details of the fort in the distance. Towers, positioned away from the walls of the fort, settled around the area. Obviously, with them, we would easily be spotted if we descended the hilltop in the light.

"I don't know why you are threatening me, but it better be good."

The morning wind was cold and swept my hair over my shoulders. It was not this wind, but Xander's voice, that made me quiver.

"Xander," I confirmed.

He stepped up to my side. He had dressed in his great silver armor, much sooner than any troops scheduled to deploy. I doubt he had slept, though his eyes were rested and steady.

"What happened in Hoshido?" he wondered.

I was bewildered why he ever bothered asking the question.

"They told me the truth," I said. "And then they let me go to prevent the king from declaring war over me."

"Corrin. You're fam-"

"Stop denying it. It's pointless," I cautioned.

He paused briefly, looking down over the valley. When he spoke again, his voice had lost its regal composure, and instead, he spoke softly, confused.

"What happened to you?"

"Nothing," I spat. "Nothing happened, Xander."

I maneuvered away from him, back to the caravan, where everyone had now awoken due to the noise. They scurried about the field, gathering their supplies. I grabbed my sword and fastened its sheathe along my belt.

We waited as the sky grew ever-so-slightly lighter. The guard had assembled and they were ready to send in troops. I pushed myself to the front of the soldiers as they marched; I was eager to get to any Hoshidan soldiers and prevent their deaths. We reached the nearest tower quickly and many soldiers, including myself, pushed inside.

The stone structure, simple, with a large staircase spiraling up the tower, rattled with the noise of the soldiers. Beside them storming the stairs, I heard no sound.

"The tower is empty. Why?"

"They're somewhere else. Within the fort."

"Not even sharpshooters?"

I searched the walls and windows. Puzzled as they were, I could not understand the Hoshidan's rationale. Not a single soldier stationed here - what were they planning?

The soldiers flooded back out, and as I followed them, Xander caught me in the doorway with Elise by his side.

"I think Elise should stay back here until we find out where the wounded are being kept," I suggested. She nodded and squeezed past me, inside the tower.

"Great idea," Xander agreed. He whispered something to a soldier next to him and then proceeded to shove me inside of the tower. The soldier pressured me inside and closed the door, sealing it with many locks. I felt a zing of both regret and betrayal through my body.

"Let me through," I demanded.

The soldier stood firmly. I ran my hand through my hair. I didn't want to be like this. My angry confusion felt warm on my skin.

"You think you're being a benefit to your country by barricading yourself and another fighter in this room? I might be royalty, but I'm not useless."

The soldier ignored me. I felt a hotness in my chest, itching my ribs and lungs. My heart began pounding. I couldn't let them kill the Hoshidans - that was the entire reason I had come, to prevent this needless violence between sides. I thought I could be a mediator, but not in here.

Elise noticed my tension, but her smooth words of encouragement did not pique my attention at all. In fact, I didn't even hear what she had said to me. My eyes were fixated on the soldier. He kept his lips sealed, probably because he had been ordered to, and showed a sheen of sweat on his face. My gaze intimidated him.

Eyes steady, I rubbed my chest, breathing more frequently to lull the feeling away, but it was too hot. I became snappy and irate. I looked the soldier in the eyes, but he refused to meet mine. That only fueled the sensation... the craving. To let go. To let it take over.

Why was I so intent on hurting this man? It didn't matter because I let my focus lull for a moment, and the next thing I knew, my arm was outstretched, and the man crumpled.

Elise screamed. She pressed herself into the corner of the room, looking away from me and the soldier.

I rubbed my fingers together on my outstretched hand. They were wet with smooth liquid. The soldier who once stood at the doorway - his armor had ripped open, and gaping, bleeding wounds ran across his chest. He was ragged, unbreathing. I had painted the walls, and the droplets streamed down. The blood had dampened my clothes and dribbled on my face. My hand was not completely human. Instead, streaks of thick black and leathery skin coated my fingertips.

"Oh, no."

I moved my hair from out of my face, staining my hair and cheeks with his blood. I tried to breath easy, but breaths came hard and quick. My heart beat so intensely I felt it in my skin, through my fingertips and toes. My hands went to the door, and I ripped it open. Dim light from outside streamed into the room, as well as another soldier, armed with a spear. He looked afraid.

I shook my head and ignored the spear pointed at me.

"Don't make me kill you too," I said breathlessly as I pushed past him.

The heat in my chest hurt. My head was in dazed place, and I could not make sense of any of my surroundings. The sun. As I felt its light on me, it tingled my skin. It willed me to change. The dragon wanted to be free. It wanted me to transform and tear more people apart.

"My lady, are you alright?" the soldier pressed.

I waved my hand at him, recoiling away from the sun. This man was distorted in my vision, fuzzy, blurry. The world spun around us.

"Go, go away. I'll kill you too..." I breathed.

"Did he attack you?"

"I need to focus. I need to stop. Stop."

I pushed on the sides of my head, putting pressure on my temples. I pressed my eyes closed, and I could not tell that I was falling until my head hit the rocks. The sting of the blow traveled through my head and pulsated. Nausea surged through me. I heard the sounds of footsteps, loud.

"What's going on here?"

"She is delusional, lieutenant. I expect the man stationed there attacked her and Lady Elise."

"Is he stable?"

"I don't know, sir."

"Corrin," he sighed. "Get Lady Elise out of here. Go. And move that man back."

I felt a hand on the side of my face. I flinched and scrambled away, but he held me still. I looked, afraid, on at him. I didn't recognize him at first. The world was still spinning, changing my perspective on everything I looked at. I saw a man, tall, but kneeling by me. He was soft-spoken and tender.

"Hey, hey," he soothed, "it's okay."

I grabbed his hands to remove them from the sides of my head. My jaw hurt from clenching my teeth.

"Silas," I realized.

"You're volatile right now, I know. I'm not going to tell."

I searched his face for comfort. He looked on at me with his abating blue eyes. His face was etched with worry, and he held my dragon-skinned hand.

"Silas, I didn't mean to kill that man. I didn't mean to kill those bandits either, it just...happened."

"I know," he whispered. "Look, it's going to be okay. How do you feel right now?"

I smacked my lips and took a deep breath.

"Sensitive. Lights are bright. Voices are loud."

"Just take it easy," he said.

He took his hands away and went to a pack on his person. He removed a thick linen cloth and poured some water over it. When he went to wash my forehead of the still wet blood, I winced. He mumbled a soft reassurance to me.

"Thank you," I mumbled incoherently. The cold washcloth scratched my skin as he washed most of the blood off my face, out of my hair. We waited here for a while while I calmed down. The sun rose around us, and with every minute I felt a little better, more in control than I had been.

"Are there Hoshidan soldiers here?"

"They must be inside the fort. I haven't seen that princess, or any Hoshidans, anywhere. I thought she attacked to give us an opportunity."

"You're going with me?"

"She told me to escort you back, or she would cut me down herself. You heard that."

I smiled. That she had.

"Hinoka," I said. "That's her name."

"Whatever it is."

"You would really... Leave Nohr?"

He shrugged. "Escorting the lost princess back home has to be worthy or some honor in Hoshido, doesn't it?"

I recalled King Garon expelling Silas from the order.

"How are you here anyway?"

"Smuggled myself inside a caravan. It wasn't hard, especially as most of these men haven't been informed. Treasonous, I know."

A gave him a judgmental look. Technically, I should have already been wanted for treason.

A troop of soldiers approached us quickly from the direction of the fort. They were rattled and disheveled from running.

"Lieutenant, sir, there is no one here. The entire fort has been abandoned."

Silas and I locked eyes.

"We have to go, Silas," I said. "Now. You're not going to get another chance."

One of the men reached a hand out to Silas to help him to his feet. He, then, offered me his own hand to me.

"Pardon, sir. What is happening?"

"I'm in confidence, but do tell Gunther that I'm evacuating Lady Corrin."

"Yes, sir."

Silas took my hand and guided me away from the tower, up the hill to the party of caravans and supplies. We traversed quickly, as we knew once Gunther received the message, soldiers' efforts would be redirected at us. I panted when we arrived, and I searched around for anything to scavenge before Silas procured a horse.

There were soldiers in a group not far from us, and between them, princess Elise sat, traumatized, crying soundlessly. They gave her food and water. The side of her face had been smeared with blood. I couldn't believe that whatever I had done, the blow would have been enough to cover Elise in blood too. Worse, she saw me and instantly pointed an erratic finger in my direction.

"I'm leaving, Elise," I promised from afar, shaking my head. "I won't hurt you."

Silas grasped my hand, urging me away from her. He had secured a horse and we had to leave. I watched her stare. Her arms were wound around herself, lips ajar, shoulders forward. I knew that posture of hopelessness all too well.

What had I done? Murdered in front of the girl I had called my sister for my entire life. She was still in that blissful ignorance of believing in our bond as sisters. Maybe after today, after what I had done, she would be relieved to call me a stranger.

I buried my face in Silas's shoulder. On horseback, with Nohrian soldiers shouting, we fled.