Only a few hours after her report, Kamui was awoken with a summons from her father. Her rest had been short, enough time to confirm with Felicia that not only were all the Hoshidan Royals unharmed, but that Tatsu was being moved to Fort Jinya. Apparently they really did believe Kamui's return to Nohr was forced, so that was a lucky break for him. As for Kamui, she was currently hoping that same luck would be with her as she made her way through the dimly lit hallways of the castle. Before long she was brought to the door that led to King Garon's study, the soldier who had escorted her leaving her the moment they had arrived.

Gulping, Kamui knocked on the door to signify her arrival. For a moment there was silence before she heard her Father's deep voice call out for her to enter. Opening the door as silently as she could, she entered the room to see her Father sitting at his desk with a knight standing next to the desk. The knight had gray hair and eyes, and stood at attention with an expressionless face. Despite that, Kamui felt the knight's eyes on her, and also found herself feeling a strange sense of nostalgia.

"Kamui. I trust your rest was well?" Garon asked.

Kamui bowed her head. "Yes Father, it felt nice to sleep in the castle again."

Garon gave a small smile. "Good, good. First I hope you know how happy I am that you have returned to me safe and sound. That said, you do understand how suspect it is that you were in Hoshido for quite some time, only to return completely unharmed?"

Kamui nodded. "I understand completely Father, which is why I hope I can soon have the opportunity to prove my loyalty to Nohr."

"That opportunity shall come sooner than you think." Garon siad before motioning Kamui to come forwards. "Tell me Kamui, what do you know of the Ice Tribe?"

Kamui raised an eyebrow. Flora and Felicia's tribe? "If I remember correctly, it is a tribe situated to the north. My retainer, Flora and her sister Felicia, it's where she originally hails from."

Garon nodded. "Correct. The tribe is somewhat secluded from the rest of Nohr considering it's location past the Woods of the Forlorn, and it would seem the leaders of the Ice Tribe feel such distance means they should be able to rebel against me. Tell me daughter, do you know what the punishment of rebellion is?"

Kamui gulped. "Death Father."

"Exactly." Garon coldly stated. "The same accusation you find yourself under. Now, I could easily have my army march into the Ice Tribe and wipe them from Nohr's memory, but your return has me thinking of another way to handle this problem. Tell me Kamui, do you have any idea what that might be?"

Kamui pursed her lips. "Do you wish for me to suppress this rebellion Father?"

Garon gave a chilling smile. "Indeed I do Kamui. I want you to show all of Nohr the folly of those who stand against me. You will journey to the Ice Tribe immediately after you are excused and handle this problem with all diligence. I don't care how you do it, but know that until this rebellion is suppressed you will no longer be welcome in the Capitol Kamui."

"I will not fail you Father." Kamui said.

"That remains to be seen." Garon said before motioning to the knight. "I will also be sending along a personal representative to oversee your mission. This is Silas, one of the newest additions to the palace knights. You should find him quite reliable."

Kamui bowed her head. "Thank you Father, and you Sir Silas."

Silas bowed his head. "It is an honor to serve the King Princess."

Garon scoffed. "You have your orders, and your supplies have been prepared beforehand. I expect you both out of the capitol within the hour. Dismissed."

"Of course...and...Father...?" Kamui asked.

Garon pursed his lips and glared at Kamui. "What?" he asked.

"Just...thank you. For this chance to prove myself." Kamui said.

Garon remained silent before speaking softly. "Do not make me regret this daughter."

Without any further words Kamui left the office, the knight Silas following behind her. After the door closed, Kamui heard a slight cough, turning around to see Silas looking at her. Looking at Silas, Kamui again found herself feeling that strange nostalgia, and she found herself wondering if she had seen this Silas before.

"Princess?" Silas asked, noticing how she stared at him.

"I'm sorry, it's nothing." Kamui stated, shaking her head as she turned around and began heading towards the stables.

Behind her Silas watched her back get farther and farther away before letting out a sigh, quickly moving forward so he could keep up with her.

...

A few hours later Kamui found herself on horseback traveling through the Woods of the Forlorn, Silas leading the way ahead of her on his own horse by torchlight. Their journey so far was silent, Silas having warned her before they entered the forest of the dangers that lurked within. Though the forest in and of itself was simply that, a forest, there was something about it that drew Faceless into it's dark depths. It wasn't uncommon for travelers in the woods to be attacked, and thanks to the size of the woods any attempted incursions by the soldiers tended to result in either failure or, at best, a pyrrhic victory. And even if they could clear out the woods, it was only a few weeks until the Faceless returned.

There were also toxic bogs scattered throughout the forest, as if the corruption within the forest had seeped into the very ground itself. These bogs seemed to appear and disappear at will, further increasing the danger found in the forest. And if the Faceless and poisoned bogs weren't enough, the forest was forever dark, with no light ever being able to penetrate past the writhing trees struggling to survive.

So rather than waste resources, Nohr instead opted for placing well kept signs that warned of the dangers within. It's not like there were many reasons to go through the woods anyways Silas had told her. Anyone looking to travel to a town or settlement had other routes they could travel, and there weren't any usable resources to be found within the forest save for the trees if you were willing to try to find a suitable one. Really the only reason one would have to enter the forest is to travel to and from the land of the Ice Tribe, the only location to have the Woods of the Forlorn as the only route leading to it.

Lucky for Kamui and Silas.

Looking again at Silas, Kamui couldn't help but feel struck by the familiar sense the knight gave off. She'd been racking her brain the past few hours trying to remember if the two had ever met, but she just couldn't pull anything from her memory. But something in her gut was telling her she knew this man from somewhere. He was around her age, maybe a little older, and had gray hair kept in a fancy style. He also wore a much more ornate set of armor than the normal soldiers she had seen around the Capitol, even the ones at the palace. Whoever this knight was, he had to be important in some way.

Well, she wasn't going to get any answers just by staring. Deduction was more of Tatsu's specialty anyways.

"So, mind if I ask a few questions?" Kamui asked.

Silas looked around before responding. "Please make them quick my Lady. I would prefer not to risk your safety over words."

Kamui pursed her lips. "For someone watching over a supposed traitor, you seem very concerned with my safety."

"I don't know much about that "traitor" business," Silas said without hesitation. "All I know is that King Garon gave me the privileged honor to guard one of his children, a duty I do not plan on shirking."

"So this is just a duty to you?" Kamui asked.

Silas shook his head. "I did not mean it to sound that way. True your Father was the one who assigned me to this task, but I have my own reasons for making sure I wish to see them through."

Kamui raised an eyebrow. "Oh? I am curious as to what those reasons are sir knight."

Silas remained quiet for a moment, long enough for Kamui to consider asking again, only for her to hear it as well. Nothing. Aside from the sound of the horses, there was no other sound. Silas motioned for the horses to stop, hand gripping the sword attached near his saddle. Kamui followed suit, looking for any hint of a hostile force. It didn't take long.

Before long the two heard low thumps approaching them, accompanied by a low groan. The distinct crunches of branches being crushed underfoot was also heard, steadily getting closer to the pair causing their horses to grow restless.

"Easy there boy." Silas cooed his horse before turning to look at Kamui. "My Lady, please stay behind me."

Kamui smirked as she gripped the Yato blade. "Worry not Sir Silas, I can take care of myself."

"Of that I have no doubt. Still, to help keep my mind at ease?" Silas asked with a smile.

"Trust me Sir Silas, I don't mean to rush off away from your watchful eyes." Kamui said, drawing the Yato. "I just wish to use this opportunity to see what this legendary blade can do." The horse fidgeted, prompting Kamui to pat it's mane as she had seen Hinoka once do. "Easy girl. Everything's going to be okay."

Silas watched as Kamui comforted the horse, a small smirk crossing his face at the sight. "Still have a way with animals huh." He muttered to himself.

Kamui looked at Silas. "What was that Sir Silas?"

Silas looked around him as he drew his blade. "Something that can be shared later. For now, I recommend we prepare to move to somewhere a bit more suitable for combat."

Kamui looked around before nodding. "I'll follow your lead."

"Remember, stay close." Silas said before cracking his horses reins, urging his horse into a dead sprint. Kamui wasted no time following suit, both their horses making a mad dash down the forest trail,

No sooner had the horses taken off than Kamui heard a monstrous roar and a loud rumble behind her. The roar was soon followed by a chorus of similar roars, the rumble only increasing as things began shaking. And Kamui was pretty certain that the shaking wasn't all from her horse.

"Sir Silas, I don't think we'll be able to continue to run like this for long!" She called.

Silas turned around and looked at her before nodding. "All right, just keep moving forward and-" Silas's eyes widened. "KAMUI!" He shouted.

Kamui looked behind her, eyes widening when she saw something move at her in the darkness. Acting purely on instinct, she threw herself off her horse, rolling along the rocky ground until she hit a tree. Groaning in pain, Kamui heard a horrifying cry and a sickening crunch. Opening her eyes, Kamui soon became wide eyed as a Faceless stood over the corpse of her horse, having crushed it's back when it landed on the poor creature.

"Lady Kamui!" Silas shouted, turning his horse around.

The Faceless turned and growled at Kamui, taking a step towards her menacingly. Kamui tried to get up, only to wince as a sharp pain went through her side. It was only than she realized how difficult it was to breathe, each breath eliciting an acute pain. Tenderly feeling her side, she winced at the familiar feeling of a broken rib.

"Great." She muttered. Looking over to her side, she could just make out the golden tint of the Yato nearby. Her attention was drawn back to the Faceless when the creature growled, charging at her with it's monstrous fists clenched.

Grunting, Kamui threw herself to the side at the Yato, hearing a loud crunch as the Faceless crashed through the tree with ease. Grabbing the Yato, Kamui forced herself to stand up, gripping her side the entire time. The Faceless turned and stared at her, giving a low growl as it began walking towards her.

"Get away from her!" Silas yelled before burying his blade deep in the creature's back.

The Faceless roared in pain as it arched it's back, only to crumble into ashes a moment later. Silas didn't stop to look or even retrieve his sword, instead pushing his horse forward as he held out his arm to Kamui.

"Lady Kamui, grab on!" He yelled.

Without missing a beat, Kamui held out her arm, crying out in pain when Silas picked her up and placed her in front of him. Pretty soon he was hunkered over her protectively, urging his horse forward.

"That one won't be alone for long." Silas said, looking at the side Kamui gripped. "Your side?" He asked.

"A broken rib...maybe two..." Kamui said, trying to keep her breathing level.

Silas was quiet before he whispered a reply. "I'm sorry."

Kamui breathed in deeply. "Don't be. If you hadn't warned me when you did, I don't think I'd have gotten away with just some broken ribs."

Silas shook his head. "No, it shouldn't have happened to begin with. Dusk Dragon, I've been training all this time so I could-" Silas suddenly stopped himself, drawing Kamui's attention.

"Sir Silas?" She asked.

"I-It's...it's nothing." Silas said.

Kamui remained silent for a moment before looking at Silas. "We know each other...don't we?"

Silas was silent before letting out a sad whisper. "I was afraid you had forgotten." Kamui opened her mouth, but Silas quickly shushed her. "We can discuss this later, for now please, let me get us out of here. Don't worry, Grani is one of the fastest horses in all of Nohr."

Kamui pursed her lips, but a roar in the distance convinced her to remain quiet for the moment, instead working on stabilizing her breathing as Silas's horse tore through the woods.

...

A few hours later Kamui was sitting in a small cave near a campfire, gingerly nursing her side as a dull pain pulsed like a heartbeat. Luckily for her she had only suffered a bad bruise to her ribs, and not the break she had originally feared. Nothing a simple vulenary couldn't fix. Hearing a commotion nearby, she looked over to see Silas enter through the mouth of a cave carrying a small bundle of sticks, quickly moving towards the fire and placing several of the sticks inside. He then took a long branch and began moving coals and sticks around to build up the fire as large as he could. Once he was satisfied he placed the sticks down before sitting next to them, looking at Kamui with a concerned expression.

"My Lady, are you all right?" He asked.

Kamui smiled. "A little sore, but it will heal in time."

Silas nodded. "That's good to hear."

After a few moments of Silas, Kamui spoke up. "So, what's the plan?"

"Well, I was going to ask you the same thing." Silas replied. "Technically I am only here to make sure your Father's desires are fulfilled. How you wish to handle this matter is up to you."

Kamui nodded. "I was thinking we could try a more diplomatic approach. No matter how skilled we are, facing the entire Ice Tribe by ourselves is suicide. Perhaps my Father is testing me to see if I can practice subtlety?"

Silas rubbed his chin in thought. "Maybe. It does seem strange he'd send only you. The Ice Tribe is renowned for it's strength, and with the ever present snowstorms happening around it prolonged battles usually mean defeat for any potential invaders."

Kamui pursed her lips. "Tell me Sir Silas, do you know why the Ice Tribe is rebelling?"

"If I had to hazard a guess," Silas said. "It would be because of the increased demands of tribute King Garon is sending out to all of the provinces. Money, resources, soldiers, all are being demanded at a much higher amount than ever before. It could be because of the rumored war with Hoshido, but with the state Nohr is in currently, there are many voices of dissent. And when one factors in the Ice Tribe's more remote setting and difficulty in raising crops, they may feel King Garon's demands are just to much."

"And what do you think of these things Sir Silas?" Kamui asked. "And please, speak freely."

Silas remained quiet for a moment before responding. "As a knight of Nohr, I am sworn to honor and uphold King Garon, and follow his commands without hesitation. But...If I speak freely...I fear that the King's current actions only splinter Nohr at a time when we must be united."

Kamui nodded. "Yes, I agree with you completely. I think rather than attempt to quell this rebellion by ourselves, perhaps we will attempt to negotiate a more peaceful alternative. It would only serve to weaken us if we eradicated the Ice Tribe after all."

"I will follow your directions, whatever they may be." Silas said with a bow.

Kamui found herself relieved that Silas would be going along with her plan so far. She had been wondering why her Father would eradicate such a useful ally, especially since war against Hoshido seemed just around the corner. The only explanation she could think of was what Tatsu believed to be happening, that Iago was trying to weaken Nohr from within to perform a coup. If she could somehow keep the Ice Tribe from rebelling, it would keep Nohr strong and work against Iago's plans. And besides, her Father did say she could handle the situation as she saw fit.

"Thank you Sir Silas." Kamui said before remembering their escape earlier. "Also, you admitted earlier that we have met before. Forgive me for asking, but where at? I certainly don't remember having seen you before."

Silas let out a small scoff. "In all honesty, I'm not to surprised you don't remember me. We first met around ten years ago when you and Tatsu still lived in the Northern Fortress."

"Huh!?" Kamui exclaimed. "Really?"

Silas nodded. "Yes. My parents told me Garon had wanted to help the two of you build relationships within the noble families of Nohr, and since we were all around the same age your Father selected me as a sort of test subject if you will."

"That explains your fancy armor. So you're a noble than?" Kamui asked.

Silas chuckled as he rubbed the back of his head. "Technically. I hail from a more minor family, so it's not like my family name holds any real influence. Even having spent time as your childhood playmate didn't raise us socially or anything since your existence wasn't really known except by a select few. All my parents knew was that every weekend I would be picked up by King Garon's request and returned a few days later."

Kamui nodded, rubbing her chin. "Still though, that doesn't explain why I can't remember you. I feel like a visitor from outside of the Northern Fortress would have been something that would have stuck with me."

"Don't fret to much." Silas said, waving her off. "Truth is, we only met like we did for a little over a month. The last weekend I was there, Tatsu had an episode that was pretty severe. After I was returned home, I was informed King Garon had decided to discontinue the attempts at socialization. I had always assumed that it was due to your brother's illness."

"I guess that makes sense." Kamui said. "Still though, it does make me feel bad not remembering you. Tell me, what did we do when we were young? Maybe that would help jog my memories."

Silas rubbed his chin in thought. "Hmmm, nothing to out of the norm. We drew, we read, played with sticks. Really we spent most of the time inside, pretending to be knights who served your brother who played the wise king."

Kamui nodded. "That seems about right. Tatsu's condition never did allow him to play or train like I could."

Silas smiled as he looked into the fire. "It was certainly...interesting, that's for sure. But those days were some of the best in my childhood."

Kamui looked at him in confusion. "How so?"

"Despite our low status, the fact of the matter was that my family was still nobility." Silas explained. "So I couldn't really play with the kids of my home village since they ostracized me for being nobility. And thanks to our low status, the other noble kids ignored me as well. I spent a lot of my childhood kind of stuck in between the two worlds, not belonging in either of them."

"Silas..." Kamui whispered.

Silas looked at her with a smile. "That's why I really enjoyed being able to spend time with you and Tatsu. When the three of us were together, there wasn't any nobility or statuses, just friendship. I will admit not being able to see you two anymore caused me to shed some tears, but the memory of a promise we made was what helped me the most, and is what gave me the drive to become a knight."

Now Kamui just felt awful. "And what promise was that?" She asked.

Silas gave a fond chuckle. "Oh, just that we'd always be friends, even into our adult years. Nothing would come between us. One for all and all for one, that kind of stuff."

"Well now I just feel terrible." Kamui admitted. "I'm sorry for not remembering any of this Silas."

Silas shrugged. "Don't be. Like I said, this was years ago. And rumor has it that you and Tatsu both went through some pretty serious training by your Father. If that happened shortly after he stopped our interactions, than it's no surprise you'd forget that month. Besides, what does it matter now? We've reunited and can hopefully pick up where we left off."

Kamui smiled and nodded. "I think I'd like that."

Silas chuckled again. "You're still as sweet and trusting as ever."

Kamui felt her cheeks redden. "And what's that supposed to mean!?"

Silas waved his hands in front of him. "Nothing, nothing. Just how easily you've accepted my story is all. Quite frankly, I'm shocked I didn't have to answer some super diffcult question or something like that."

Kamui rubbed her chin. "Well, I do have one in mind. Tell me, do you remember Tatsu and mine's favorite book?"

Silas rubbed his chin in thought. "Hmmm, if I'm remembering correctly it was...Retained Memories correct?"

Kamui nodded. "Uh huh. And do you remember my favorite character?"

"Oh that's easy." Silas said. "Sekai. I remember you one time saying how you wanted to marry him, which was pretty funny considering how he was married already in the book."

Kamui felt her cheeks go red at the memory. She'd expected Silas to simply say Sekai, not bring up her completely understandable childhood crush. All girls had a crush like that at that age.

Kamui coughed. "Well, I guess that proves your claim."

"Glad we got that out of the way." Silas said with a smile. "Now, we have a long ride ahead of us, so why don't you go on ahead and get some rest Lady Kamui. I'll keep an eye on the fire and we can switch off in a few hours?"

Kamui nodded. "Yes, of course. And...Silas?"

Silas looked at her. "Yes my Lady?"

"Call me Kamui, at least in private. We're friends right?" Kamui asked.

Silas smiled. "I'd like that...Kamui."

...

And there we go, interaction between Kamui and Silas begun. Wanted to do a bit of a different take on their whole childhood friendship, since with how Garon's character is written I just didn't see Silas being able to get away with sneaking either Kamui or Tatsu or both out of the castle without serious punishment. Made more sense just for something else to get in the way. Didn't really specify why they were separated, didn't feel a need to, so take your pick of either Tatsu's sickness or Garon getting serious regarding their training.

I also decided not to bring Elise along for this mission, and I have some reasons why. I know a lot of people love Elise and while I do feel she's just a copy and paste of Lissa (I kind of wish she was more of a bratty character, that was always the impression I got of her from the Conquest box art), I do like her. Just know that she isn't going to be demoted or reduced in the story in any way, I just couldn't have her come along yet.

That and I needed an opportunity for shipping Kamui and Silas. Love that ship.

Anyways, next chapter will be the Ice Tribe. And than Fort Jinya! And than I don't know cause I need to replay Fates! Eh, I'll figure it out. Always do. Oh, and word to the wise? Monster Hunter World is an amazing game and I am completely addicted. Bow and Vaal Hazak for life, screw Nergigante, and double screw Diablos, triple screw Teostra, and all the screws for Bazelgeuse.

Now for reviews!

SoulEvangile: Again, I'm having fun with Anankos. Can't give away to much since I have plans for later, but for now let's just say that Anankos is insane, and so garon's actions throughout the story will be my best attempts to reflect that. He'll be a loving Father one scene, and quite ax crazy the next. I want to keep everyone on their toes since I'm going to try to be sporadic with Garon.

And thanks for the advice about keeping everyone informed on what the Awakening Trio are doing. They won't really have a presence for a while, but I'll try to give them appearances here and there.

Spirited-PKMN Ranger: I'll go into further details on their lineage later, but Tatsu will be the only one to transform into a dragon while Kamui gets the Yato. Kamui will eventually get more abilities and Tatsu's dragon side will make a few appearances here and there, but that's for later.

Better Known as Aaliyah: Thanks for the compliments on Tatsu and Kamui. Kamui looking like Mikoto just made sense to me, and Tatsu's condition just seemed like a fun thing to write. His appearance is also integral to the plot line I'll develop as I explore what it's like to be the hybrid child of a human and a dragon. I'm mostly careful to try and make sure that Kamui doesn't seem completely inept when it comes to thinking, nor is Tatsu completely defenseless. I'm going to abuse Carnwennan. A lot.

The small changes with Ryoma and Takumi were also things that needed to be changed I felt. I understand hatred against Nohr, but I feel blaming Nohr for the destruction of that square was just stupid. And while Takumi is distrusting of the Avatar in the game, I see some writers who turn Takumi into just a plain ass, and that's never sat right with me. There will still be moments of hatred on both sides, but I'm not going to write anything that makes me uncomfortable, and blind hatred does just that.

I've written in about Lilith interchanging between human and...fish...dragon...cuddly thingy form a few times already. I don't know if she'll ever leave the Astral Plain again, but for now I don't see any reason as to why she can't just change back and forth. And Jakob will make an appearance again. Don't have it figured out quite yet when, but he will.

And yep, Hinoka and Tatsu. I remember when I first saw Hinoka's picture I knew I'd like her character, and I wasn't wrong. Quite frankly it irritates me how no one does anything with her or the Avatar, but all seem pretty willing to pair him with Camilla or Azura or Elise. But hey, that will make my story stand out a bit more. As for Kamui, I will put her with Silas, but that's just because that's legit my favorite pairing. I guess it's because Stahl was one of my favorite characters in Awakening and Silas just reminds me of him so much.

But as for HOW these romances occur, well I plan on doing things a little differently than the games. But again, that's for later.

Well that's it for me everyone, we'll see you all next time. fave, follow, review, and have a good night.