A/N: Woohoo! Snowday! So all you lucky fans get another chapter. I'm very glad that people like my story so far, and if I can I'm going to try to make the chapters a bit longer. Anyway, onwards! ^_~



The horse ran onward, plunging through the mud brought by the last night's rain. Taichi huddled in his cloak, hiding from the biting cold of the Country of Love's winters. Once he was in his own lands, then he would be warm. He held on tightly, with fingers that almost felt frozen with cold. Winter was not his favorite season. as he taught about warmth, a visipn came to his mind of the courtesan, Yamato. He was sure that the graceful blonde was the prince he once knew. His eyes were the only ones of that color in the kingdoms! Taichi mused, letting the scattered thoughts and childhood memories come back to him. Why could he not remember? "By the Void.." He cursed under his breath, beating himself for his incompetence. "He probably thinks I'm crazy.." Taichi said, kicking his horse.

And yet, he could not stop thinking about Yamato. The woman was right when she said he was the best of the best. Taichi could see that in the courtesan's confidence and his anger when Taichi refused. He knew that love like that, him and Yamato, could never be, especially if the blonde proved to be the prince. But... Taichi could not stop. He knew it would torture him all his life, but he could do nothing. He was betrothed to the Lady Takenoushi, and his father would never let him go back on that. As the heir to Courage, his if was all planned, and he could do nothing. Love was forbidden to him, as was going back on a planned marriage. Taichi sighed, and rode on, clearing his mind of everything but the road in front of him. It did not ease the pain.

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Ken slowly rose from his little cot in the main room, trying not to wake the other courtesans. "Truly creatures of the night are we, those who sleep by day." he whispered, stepping slowly and carefully between cots. He carried little: a pack of provisions and clothing, a set of Clayr throwing knives, and a dagger of a blood red metal in his belt. This "blood dagger" was a powerful weapon, and he was glad to carry it. He reached the door and waited, scanning the dark with his violet eyes. He did not wait long, for another figure stepped out of the darkness, blue eyes glittering. Yamato carried only a pack and a ornamental sword given to him by one of his customers. Ken, being of Clayr blood, knew the sword was useless, but also was aware that the sword was Yamato's only weapon.

They left the room and the shop silently, watching for Arachne, but she never came. Instead, they fled onto the forest road, this being the fastest route to the Castle of Courage. They walked the path without pause until nightfall, until they finally stopped to rest. After a meager meal, they set out again, until they heard a loud cry. Ken tensed, and both courtesans slipped into the bushes, just as a group of bandits walked by, pushing a person out in front. He was dressed as a noble, and certainly walked as such, even though he was chained with a bag over his head. The bandits laughed and pushed the prisoner onward, tripping and taunting until Ken could stand no more.

He whipped out his throwing knives and brought down the two in front, the bandits took off, seeing the Clayr craftsman mark on the knives. The prisoner fell, shaking with fear and cold. The two courtesans warily stepped out, taking off the chain and untying the bag. The noble was dazed looking, his maroon hair askew. he suddenly noticed the two courtesans, and whipped out his sword. "How dare you try to take me, you vile thieves!" He cried, waving the sword about. Ken and Yamato stayed easily out of reach. The noble fell again, slipping the mud. He dropped the sword and pulled out his pouches. "Fine, take the money, I don't care." He said nervously, but the two did not budge. Finally Ken started laughing, and pulled up the muddy noble. "we're not the bandits. I saved you." He said looking the noble in the eye. The noble shook himself off, then haughtily said "Thank you for your kindness. I am Motomiya Daisuke, son of Courage and Friendship, heir to the throne. I must be going, the road to the Castle Courage is long."

Yamato stopped him. "That's where we're going, but we really don't know the way. Can you help us?" He said. Daisuke smiled and stepped out into the road. "I shall take you there, since the road is dangerous and two kind people like yourselves must be protected." He crid, taking up his sword. Yamato started to laugh, as ken shook his head. Daisuke noticed none of it, but just kept swinging his sword. "I am Ken, half-Clayr." He said, showing Daisuke the mark on his hand to prove it. "That is my friend Yamato, supposedly the owner of this crest, brought to us by the heir of Courage. Have you seen him?" Ken asked, pulling out the royal crest of Friendship. Daisuke smiled again, grabbing Ken's hand. "Fear not fair sirs! I know the lord you speak of and will take you to him! Come!" Daisuke commanded, dragging Ken behind him. Yamato followed, sniggering at Ken's predicament. Ken just sighed and looked towards the road. It was a long way to go.