Ningguang surveyed the room around her with a blank expression. Her mouth gave the smallest twitch at the sheer mess that surrounded her. Maps and sea charts had been hastily plastered up onto the elegant paneled walls. Charters and witness reports lay scatted and trampled on the floor. In the middle of all Ningguang found the man she was looking for head face down against his desk.

"What," Came Childe's voice, dark and with a hint of warning. "Do you want?"

Ningguang felt her mouth twitch again but she forced her face to stay blank. Normally the Fatui Harbinger would be showering her with sickly sweet words and praises while needling her with double-sided comments at the same time, but right now he seemed to have run out of the energy to keep his innocent façade up. If the Tianquan had to describe the younger man in front of her right now, she would be hard-pressed to not use the word defeated.

"I have some interesting news I thought you would like to hear."

Childe tilted his head looking up at her with one piercing blue eye. "I'm not interested in Liyue gossip at the moment." He mumbled somehow making it almost seem like a snarl.

"Well given the way you manhandled poor Nervous Ann to the point he was thinking of disappearing into the mountains and becoming a sage," Ningguang drawled make sure to keep her voice even and level. "I thought you would like to know that I've received word about a certain cargo ship."

Childe shot up papers and maps scatter off his desk to the floor. His eyes were piercing, ripping into Ningguang's form like knives.

"If you're messing with me." The Harbinger hissed. "I will make this harbor bleed dry."

Ningguang stiffened. In Childe's current state of mind, she was certain he wouldn't make like of his threat. Even worse the older women knew he was strong enough to make it happen too. She needed to tread carefully.

"I have reports that a pirate ship picked up sailors two days ago that had been drifting out at sea in a lifeboat. The story goes that the ship had sunk during a storm as they were making their way from Snezhnaya."

The relief on Childe's face almost made Ningguang think the man in front of her was able to feel real human emotion. She cleared her throat.

"The report also stated there were only grown men aboard the lifeboat."

It took a second for Ningguang's words to sink in, but the moment they registered with Childe she could feel the shift in the room. It was dark and pulsing, like a sleeping beast about to wake up and lay waste to the world around him. The Harbinger's face was dark and twisted his fists going white against the grain to the wood under his fingers.

Ningguang raised a hand where she held a single folded piece of paper the official Milelith stamp visible on the outside. "Moments ago I also received this."

Childe didn't even try to hide his scowl. "And what," he snapped. "Pray tell is that?"

"A report from the Milelith stationed at the stone gate." Ningguang continued her voice raising just a minor degree to make sure she had the man's attention. "It states here that two foreigners, one of which seems to be a boy of around ten years old dressed in Snezhnaya clothing, were spotted passing into Liyue from Mondstadt. The guard also mentioned that when stopped to inquire about their travel plans the boy mentioned they were traveling to see his bother. A famous toymaker staying in Liyue Harbor."

. .:

Amber knew traveling with children could be slow, but with Teucer…the term slow needed to be redefined.

They had passed the stone gate hours ago. Of course, they had to stop so Teucer could climb to the highest landing and peer over the marsh, but then they had to stop and eat. And then stop at the fruit stand. And stop and look at the fish in the marsh water. And then stop and watch carts pull by hauling valuable Liyue exports. And then-

At the rate they were going to take them a week to get to Liyue Harbor, maybe even a month.

Amber sighed looking up at the sign that marked the fork in the road. Teucer was a good kid, but the sun was already starting to set and the outline of the Wangshu Inn off in the distance looked just as far as it did four hours ago. It looked like she was going to be forced to stop and find a place to pitch a tent for the night. They weren't any closure to their destination but Amber was already tired.

Teucer on the other hand was a boundless bottom of energy. Amber had learned quickly that she had best to make sure her eyes were on him at all times. Already she had made the mistake of stopping to look at her map only to look up and find Teucer running headfirst towards a group of Hydro slimes to get a better look. The boy's sense of fearlessness was astounding.

Amber felt the boy's tiny hand pull on the sleeve of her traveling attire. She had decided against her outrider outfit for a variety of reasons one being that Treasure Hoarders were known to be thick on the roads leading to Liyue Harbor. Flashing that she was associated with the Knights of Favonius, much less that she was traveling alone with a child, was just asking for a target on her back.

"Hey, big sister?"

Amber sighed. She already knew that tone.

"Yes, Teucer?"

"Can we go look at that boat over there? Look at all those fish that man has?"

Amber looked over towards the marsh and sure enough, she could see a group of fisherman floating along hauling their days catch beside their small boats. On the beach of group of men stood watching them go by before seeming to lose interest and continue on their way down the road.

"No," Amber replied. "We need to keep moving so we can find a place to make camp."

"Camp?" Teucer's face light up like a lantern. "We're going camping!"

"Yes." As draining as Teucer's sense of adventure was his spirit still made Amber smile. She knew for a fact one day five years from now the Adventurer's Guild was going to have their hands full finding suitable commissions to keep this one interested.

"Yeah!" Teucer basically bounced up and down.

Laughing Amber reached into her bag and pulled out her map. If she was correct there was clearing not far up the road sitting up against a cluster of ruins and trees that would make a fine spot to pitch a tent. If she was able to rouse Teucer by dawn and they started early tomorrow they could make it to the Inn by midday even with a few unplanned delays. From there they would follow the road to the Harbor. Amber trailed the path with her finger down before stopping at the bottom. There, held down be slime glue, was a tattered remains of an older map its edges black as if it had been tossed into a fire pit before hastily being grabbed back out. A few black 'X' marks marked different part of of Liyue Harbor with a large circled '?' sitting square down at the bottom of the docks with what Amber believed was a time scribbled next to it.

She'd recognize her Grandfather's handwriting anywhere. Even if it had been five years.

"Big sister?"

Amber shook herself from her mind plastering a smile on her face as she glanced down at her traveling companion.

"Sorry there." She rolled the map back up shoving it back into her pack. "Just making sure we're going the right way."

Teucer smiled before grabbing her hand and marching down the road. Amber simply frowned before pulling him back and pointing him down the other direction. Blinking the boy dropped Amber's hand and put his fists on his hips. With a huff, he started walking forward swing his arms and legs back and forth like some sort of wind-up toy. The outrider couldn't help but laugh and follow after him watching the tips of Teucer's ears turn red.

Her laughter must have caught the group's attention that was ahead of them. She noticed one of them turn around and cast her a look before hastily turning back around.

Wait a minute. Amber frozen. Wasn't there five men in the group a moment ago. Why was there only three now? Instincts going into high alert Amber had Teucer's name on her tongue, already reaching for her bow when she felt someone come up from behind swinging a shovel straight at her head.

.

How much trouble could one little wisp of a woman and a kid possibly be?

Apparently, a lot Marvin thought.

One of his mates was already out cold groaning with a seared arm while the other was rolling around on the ground holding a broken nose.

If he had known the woman was a vision user he probably would have passed on the opportunity to mug the duo. Yet here he was chasing said vision user over rolling rocks and grass and she sprinted away from the three men that were still standing. If she hadn't been half pulling, half carrying the shocked kid behind her the leader of the group of treasure hoarders was sure she would have been gone by now.

Marvin ducked, a flaming arrow whizzing past his head. Man, once he finally got his hands on her he really hoped that fiery spirit stayed. He had always had a thing for the feisty types.

The girl stopped, spinning around and launching what looked like a stuffed rabbit at them. It landed on the ground and started to dance taking their attention.

"What the-" he heard his mate mutter before all three of them were blown backward as the damn thing exploded.

Feisty and full to tricks. He was starting to like her more.

Unfortunately for the girl and her little travel buddy the treasure hoarders knew this area much better than she seemed to. Just a little farther and they would be running through a group of trees that blocked a sharp cliff face. To the left was a mountain and the right was a pass the lead around the cliff, but then dead-ended into a waterfall. The only true way around was up. Even if she was fast there was no way she would be able to climb to safety, especially with the kid.

And if on cue the treasure hoarders came flying up out of the trees and Marvin saw the girl take the instinctive turn to the right before disappearing around the corner. He had her now, he thought.

"Well, well, well," Marvin drawled trying to not sound too out of breath. "Looks like we boys just caught ourselves a cute little rabbit."

The girl spun around realizing she was trapped. Behind her, the boy whimpered clutching her arm. Marvin watched as she pulled him further awy from them, glaring at Marvin with shimmering golden eyes.

"We don't have anything of value." She stated flatly squaring her shoulders trying to make herself seem more imposing. "We're just poor farmers."

"Poor farmers don't dress in fine Snezhnaya furs." Marvin spat back. "Listen we only want your money, not your life. Drop what you've got and you're free to go."

The girl scowled at him before digging into her bag at her hip and tossing a bag of Mora on the ground at his feet. Leaning down he picked it up and peeked inside. It wasn't a sizeable haul, to say the least. Not nearly enough for all the running they had just done.

"There." The girl spat looking disgusted. "You have what you want now let us go."

Marvin snorted pulling the strings of the pouch back shut. "Not so fast you little mink. You injured two of my men and for that, I think you own me extra."

The look the girl gave him was utter disgust. "We don't have anything else." She snapped.

"You've got your body," Marvin said smoothly. "How about a nice good kiss right on the lips and I'll let you go on your merry little way."

Even in the dark Marvin could make out the way the girl's face twisted into a mix of repulsion and shock. "I'd rather eat dirt you rat-faced pervert."

Marvin snarled. "Grab them." He snapped his men lifting their weapons. "Bring the dark-haired bitch to me."

"Now that is not how you speak to a lady."

Marvin froze hearing a new voice speak over his head. He had just enough time to look up before, what he was pretty sure was a whale made of water, came crashed down on their heads. After that all he got was a glimpse of a white and grey coat and a blue blade flashing across his vision before he felt a head-splitting pain erupt in his skull and everything went black.

.

Childe watched as the treasure hoarder's crumbled under the weight of his vision power. They were lucky. If Teucer hadn't been only a few meters away he would have just slit all of their throats and watched them bleed out at his feet. No one, monster or man, threatened his family.

"Big brother!"

Little arms grasped Childe around his hips hugging him tightly. Dispelling his blades the Harbinger knelt down and pulled his younger brother into a tight embrace. Teucer was alive and in one piece. Childe couldn't even begin to comprehend the feeling of relief going through him.

"I'm so glad you're okay," Childe said. "But please, next time you want to come to see me, buy a ticket."

Teucer looked up at him big blue eyes rimmed with tears. "I'm sorry. I just missed you a lot and you didn't come to my birthday party and mom said she didn't know if you were ever coming back from Liyue. I promise I won't do it again."

Childe sighed rubbing his knuckles into the top of the younger boy's head. There was no point in getting mad at the ten-year-old. All that matter is that Teucer was here, with him and—

The Harbinger suddenly realized he had failed to pass the girl that had been protecting Teucer a second glance. Looking up he saw her standing off to the side a small smile on her face as she watched the two brothers reunite

"I owe you my gratitude," Childe started, standing up to his full height, hand resting on Teucer's head. "Thank you for taking care of my little brother."

The girl blinked surprised. "Oh, it's no problem," waving her hands in front of her. "It is my duty as a Knight of Fanvouis to protect those in need."

Knight?

Childe felt his smile tighten. This little thing in front of him was one of those damn Knights of Fanvoius. What was she doing with his brother in Liyue of all places? Childe had seen the way she had used her body to shield Teucer and from the way she was being politely friendly with him, Childe was certain she didn't know who he was. Still, it would be better if the Harbinger could get rid of her as fast a possible so he could get Teucer back to Liyue Harbor and hopefully on the first ship back to Snezhnaya.

"Ah well," Digging in his pocket Childe pulled out a fat purse of Mora and tossed it in the girl's direction. "Please take this as a sign of my gratit—"

"Oh, there is no need." The girl walked up handing the purse back to him without even looking at it. "It is against the knights' code to accept monetary reward for doing what is our duty. Besides, I should be thanking you. If you hadn't come when you had, I'm not sure how I would have gotren us out of that."

Childe tried not to grind his teeth taking the bag of Mora back.

"Well then," Childe said making his voice as pleasant and friendly as he could. "As you have delivered my bother to me safe and sound I say your duty has been fulfilled and me and bother will get on our way back to Liyue Harbor."

"I will accompany you."

Childe blinked at her. It had been a long time since someone had been that direct with him.

"Well," He started turning the niceness up to the max in his voice. "I appreciate the offer miss…"

"Amber." The girl supplied bringing her fists to rest upon her hips. "Outrider Amber of the Knights of Favonius."

"But," Childe waved to the bodies of the unconscious treasure hoarders that were still laying on the ground a few feet away. "As you have seen I'm very capable of taking care of me and my bother. We can make our way back to Liyue Harbor alone."

Amber didn't even look fazed. "I have made a sworn oath to make sure Teucer is seen safely to Liyue Harbor. I'm not saying I doubt your abilities at all, but it would not set well on my conscience if I didn't see my duty to the end properly. Besides the roads can be very dangerous as you have seen and it is always recommended to travel as a group."

Childe opened his mouth now fully annoyed but Teucer was pulling on his pant leg.

"I want big sister to come with us!" He exclaimed. "I want to show her the harbor, and the shops, and the food, and your research factory. Please, big brother, please can she come?"

Big Sister?

Childe frowned feeling his annoyance kick up a notch. He was trapped with Teucer begging him with the biggest puppy dog eyes the little boy could muster and the stubborn knight girl that was still standing there with her hands on her hips. What was with her anyway? Why couldn't she just take a hint and just leave, knight's honor and what not be damned? With Teucer here he couldn't just drop his act and let her know he was a Harbinger. Surely if he could she would be halfway back to Mondstadt by now.

"I…" the Harbinger opened his mouth trying to come up with something he could say to get him out of this.

"We should find shelter." Amber suddenly said tilting her head upward. "It's going to storm soon."

Now, what was she on about? "Storm?" Childe asked looking up. The night sky was mostly clear except for a few dark clouds. "I don't see any stor—"

As if on queue lightning flashed down and set sparks up a few feet away. Teucer made a small surprised gasp and grabbed Childe's pant leg tighter. Within seconds the winds picked up pulling in dark angry clouds that rumbled with thunder.

"Quick," Amber said pointing to a place back towards the trees "We can pitch and tent up there and ride out the night."

Childe felt Teucer let go of his leg and run up to take Amber's hand. Without even blinking or sparing him a glance the two of them turned around and started to make their way back towards the rocks, leaving the Harbinger standing there alone surrounded by unconscious bodies.

"Come on big Brother!" Teucer called back at him

Sighing Childe pinched the bridge of his nose and after a deep breath started to jog after them.