The stockade. The jailors were there and the guardsmen that were with me were enough.

"Have the swordsman in one, and ninja and tribeswoman in the other. I need to look for Iago."

"Yes, ma'am." One of the jailors opened the cell doors and had them separated.

"Milady."

A voice from behind. "Iago." Huh. There when I needed him.

"Report from the South Wall came in a few minutes ago. Is everything okay there?"

"Yes, Advisor. There was a raid, and I've prisoners for you to interrogate."

"Well done, Princess Weiss. Just like your father."

I hardly knew Father, but it was comforting, hearing that from his close advisor.

"How would you like a chance at holding the sword of justice?"

"…You're asking me to conduct the interrogation?"

"I am, milady. Your combat prowess was confirmed during sparring practice, and this result of when Captain Hans had you lead a force into the forest. Before that, your leadership over yours and our walls is noted-I'll expect a pound of salted pork come the next season. But there is a certain hand that you need to learn when interrogating that of the enemy. Do you feel ready?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good. Take care of the two in your room. I'll work the other one, once you're finished."

I nodded to myself.

I entered the room. The two of them, chained to the opposite sides of the wall-a clan ninja, and a Flame Tribeswoman.

One of the ninja I slew from the battle back in the forest carried a kunai. I took it from his body, and started twirling it around in front of them.

"You carry that, as if you know how to use it," the ninja commented.

We can start the conversation. "I've had a fair dealing with Hoshidan weaponry, during my time here as a guardsman." I pointed the kunai at him. "Particularly impressed at your way of forming weapons." I turned to face the tribeswoman. "What I'd like to know from either of you is what you were doing in the middle of Nohrian territory. Are you spies, hoping to see the nakedness of this land?"

They were silent.

"Let me rephrase that question-I'd like to know why a handful of shinobi, samurai and a member of the Flame Tribe were doing in Nohrian territory. Your numbers are similar to a raiding party, or one of reconnaissance. Were you hoping to find a weakness in the defenses? Even though we stand a day's ride away from Hoshidan grounds, the winters here are just as harsh as the steel we bare."

They still stood silent.

"I'm only here because the rest of my superiors are occupied. If I can get at least an answer from either of you, I can let you go without any warning. Give me something that I can work with, and I can assure you that."

Silence.

"Our forces were tasked to retrieve someone formerly of Hoshidan royalty. Our scouts had pinpointed the noble's location here."

The ninja. A simple answer.

"Soft as ever, Kaze. No wonder you chose not to accept the role of Saizo."

"It's still a choice, Daughter of the Flame Tribe Chieftain, Rinkah."

Ooh, a bigwig.

"Damn you! Why not keep talking-see where it gets you."

I nodded. "Indeed-continue."

"Knowing of this location, we were led along with a diplomatic banner to retrieve the noble. We gave up that mission when were ambushed by strange sorcery in this lands, and were looking for a way back to Hoshido."

His conviction is correct. "You know of those things?"

"Only that dark entities spring from the ground. They had masks like nothing of Hoshido or Nohr. Our group that was tasked to travel to this fortress was overwhelmed."

So, this ninja knew just as much as I did when encountering those monsters. I turned to the Flame Tribe member, Rinkah. "And what about you? Was there anything from you I should know about those sorceries?"

"My custom states that before I answer you, I would ask for your name. What is your name, Nohrian?"

Respect to customs. "I am Weiss, princess of Nohr and daughter to King Garon."

Her eyes widened in shock, and then narrowed in determination. "Then, you are the former Hoshidan royalty that we were tasked to retrieve."

A soft laughter, and then I couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Madness. Utter madness! As if I could be related to the Kingdom of Hoshido?"

"It is the truth, Lady Weiss," Kaze spoke up. "You are originally of Hoshidan birth, taken from our kingdom at a tender age. We ask that you come with us to Hoshido, to confirm it yourself."

I looked at both of them. "Royalty, taken from royalty-a fairy tale. Pick your next words carefully, or the very weapons you own will be turned against you."

*zing*

"Ngh." A sudden ringing sound went through my head. I suffered a sudden headache. They didn't notice it, but it felt like something was forcing me to remember something.

*kon* *kongbong* *bongbingkon* *konbingong*

All the warning bells were going off. It was always two if they wanted to recall troops, but this time it was four?

Something's wrong.

I left the room. Outside, I grabbed the rest of the ninja's weapons and the tribeswoman's club. They won't be needing it.

**AN**

Bit of a late entry, but that honestly depends on whether I need to be in the office for work. Again, upload daily, if not often.

Apologies for not mentioning it before, but I make it a point to not write this on Sundays. I plan on using that time to rest in order to write these bits.

Quite happy with the people that are reading this for the first time. I plan on improving on this the chapters to come and what other works.