It had gotten much too cold to be traveling. The heir to the throne of Courage was huddled up in a blanket, stuck in a cave until the storm let up. His horse was also in the cave avoiding the stinging snow. Taichi sat, watching the snow with dark eyes. He was going to be late, and Lord Yagami did not like to be kept waiting. he was probably worried about his son. Taichi did not want to think about what would happen when he finally got home. He shivered and crept farther into the cave. Suddenly a voice cried out in a sharp yelp. Taichi lept back as a fox lept out of the shadows, standing before him bristling and snarling. The wind changed, blowing snow into his eyes. When it stopped, the fox was gone, and in its stead was a young woman with brown hair tied back into a short ponytail, violet eyes flashing.

"Can't you check to see if someone else was sleeping in the cave first?!" growled the girl, glowering at the shocked Taichi. Her fur clothing blew in the wind, and snow was caught in the tip of her ponytail. "I...I'm sory lady. I didn't know you were in here." Taichi said, staring at the strange girl. She shrugged it off and reached out a hand. "No harm done I guess. It's still storming, so you might as well stay. My name is Ruki Makino, druid healer and shapechanger. You are?" Taichi stood up and formally bowed, causing the druidess to shake her head. "I am Lord Taichi Yagami, heir to the throne of courage and noble of the king's court. Pleasure to meet you lady." He took her hand as to kiss it, but she simply shook it and pulled away. "So, if you're such a high born noble, what are you doing in the Country of Love, in a forest cave, caught in a snowstorm, and talking to me?" Ruki said, sitting back down in the back of the cave. Taichi stayed up, stiffly taking Ruki's question. "I was sent by my fater to investigate a suspition about the location of the crown prince. I am afraid I was on my way home." Ruki snorted, laughing softly. "This is a long way from your home then, sir noble. There are many easier and shorter ways to the land of courage. Besides, do you think you can travel in this? You should've waited until the spring." Taichi sighed, upset over all his follies. The druidess saw and took pity on the confused noble. "It's what I should expect, I suppose. You don't know the forest like I do. Listen, as soon as the storm lets up, I will take you through the forest so you can go home. Besides, Aivos is about, and I wouldn't want to get blamed for your death."

Taichi sat up at the name of that dreaded group, now infamous for their kidnappings and dealings with the less tasteful sort. There were also rumors of an Aivos-gathered army forming deep in the falling realm of kindness. Ruki saw the alarm in his eyees and touched his shoulder. "I can get you through. They are fierce warriors, but my people are fierce as well." Her reassurance did little to quell Taichi's fears, but he had no choice. He had to get home.
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"Oh, the lady fair in Courage, the one I left behind, her hair as gold as flowers, her eyes just as kind. My lady love is waiting, her heart sent out to meeeeeeeee..." Daisuke sang, marching down the snow covered road. Yamato was wincing, trying his best to keep from strangling the over-zealous noble. He had been singing for the past hour, and the blond cortesan had just about had it. He crept closer, hands poised to end the singing for good. Suddenly Daisuke swung his arm in a exaggerated gesture, and hit Yamato straight in the head. He fell back, rubbing the bump forming on his forehead.

Ken, however, seemed not to mind. The half-Clayr had struck up a friendship with the bumptious noble, and was currently walking next to him. Ken found Daisuke to be very funny, and almost...cute. Daisuke noticed neither coutesan's feelings about him, but he didn't need to. Their paths would part soon enough. For now, they were stuck, for only Daisuke knew the way to the castle of Courage, and possibly Yamato's destiny.

The snow was thick and cold, getting into everyone's boots. Spring would've been a far better time to travel, but there was no helping it. He felt an urge within him to get the castle as soon as possible, perhaps to learn more about this crest, but perhaps...Taichi. The brown haired heir had caught his eye as soon as he had entered. He was unaware of the art, that much Yamato could tell, but Taichi had wanted none of it.The noble had awakened something in the courtesan, a sort of sense of duty to learn more. Maybe even a sense of loss? He could remember nothing before he had learned the art of love.

Arachne had always said that Yamato was the best of the best, and it was true. He was the most passionate, the most devoted to the art, for that was all he had. His past was lost to him, he knew nothing of his parents, but he didn't mind. For Yamato, the art was all he needed. He refused to teach any of Arachne's neew found children, knowing that they could not learn from him. He searched for one who had the same look, the same openess, the same devotion. Only one had been taught by the best of the best, and that child was Ken.

Arachne had brought him when he was about fourteen, older then when Yamato could remember being a courtesan. He was older, but his eyes shone with the same devotion, and the same space for the art. Yamto took him as a student and was not disappointed. All Ken would tell him was that he was of the Clayr, but was given to a group of men after the Clayr coun't stand him anymore. Yamato didn't know why they would give him up, for he had the same fighting skills and agility as the seers in their mountain, and looked very similar to them. He had a sense of telepathy and was very empathetic. However, Ken had told him the reason. He was only a halfling, and lacked two important things. He was not immortal, and he could not command his ability to see the future. Yamato had only seen him have visions twice. One was when he was to be chosen by a teacher, and the other was when Taichi came in. Ken's body would stiffen and his eyes would grow bright, and the Clayr mark on his hand would glow brightly.

Then Yamato thought about Daisuke and what he had told the two courtesans. Daisuke had apparently been sent to speak to the Druids, the unclaimed people hidden in the forests. He had not succeded in finding then, so he was heading back home when the bandids had attacked him. He looked at Ken in almost a loving way, and Yamao wouldn't be surprised if they started something. However, that would be disaterous for the noble, but Yamato wasn't going to say anything. Love was an emotiong that could be controlled, at least until Taichi had come along. Now he didn't know what to think.

Daisuke had ordered camp, so they stopped in a shelter of trees close to the path. daisuke had gone out hunting and Yamato and Ken watched as he repeatedly called animals. "Here deer deer deer!" He cried out repeatedly, but no deer appeared. Daisuke had just turned around to go back to camp when a fox ran out in front of him. He drew his sword and was about to kill it when a a brown-haired noble ran into him.