I wake up to find Keaton has already got up and is outside. I decide to let the mistake I made last night go, I obviously just have crossed some sort of rule that Wolfskin have. I get up and grab my armor from the chest. I glance over at the mirror to see myself, still scarred and ugly , the scales have finally seemed to stop spreading. They wrap around my stomach to right below my breasts, across the length of my arms between my shoulders and wrists, and down my legs between my waist and ankles, the area around my core is left as skin. I really hope that is the last thing that will change.

I put my armor on, 'safe, hidden' , my necklace is still on, I am afraid that the minute I take it off is the minute I will lose control. I head outside and notice breakfast is being served, it seems to be leftovers from dinner. 'Gross!' Yet it does not seem as vile as last night, my stomach grumbles and I decide to grab a bowl. "Ah, Lady Yasei." It is the lead soldier, he stood at attention. "As you know, the path will split soon, would you rather go through the Woods of the Forlorn, or go around it?"

"What's the risks of traveling the woods and the time it would take to go around?"

"Uncontrolled Faceless roam the woods, among other copious amounts of dangerous beasts." He stops a moment before continuing, "Going around would add roughly a weeks time, these woods are rather large, after all."

If it is a few days then I could have considered it, another two weeks however, I shake my head, "The Woods, tell them we're traveling tightly, I want every direction covered at all times."

"Yes, Lady Yasei." He bows and leaves, delivering the orders to the small groups of soldiers around the camp.

I took a spoonful of the stew, it is not so bad, bland yes, but then again almost all the food in Nohr is bland. So why is it tolerable now, but last night so revolting that I would not have even consider trying it? Another scent enters the air near me, it smells of nature and fur… and blood, "Hi, Keaton." I greet without looking, I would rather down this stew sooner than let it get cold and taste even worse. "Caught some breakfast?"

"A few rabbits." He makes a gagging sound, "I can't believe you can stomach that."

"It doesn't seem so bad this morning. Maybe it is just better as leftovers?" I shrug.

"Smells worse, looks worse." He continues walking, towards the water basin, I would assume.

I finish the stew and set the bowl aside, fruit sounds nice right about now, but what I ate does its purpose just fine. It must be filled with nutrients, but there are so many in there that it turns out as the gray-black color, with absolutely no spices or flavor to speak of. A soldier bows before picking the bowl up.

"Could you have at least waited until everything else was washed first?" Gods, that is coming from the direction of the water basin, "Water is a precious resource, we can't have it bloodied when there is still over half of the things left to wash!"

I get up and walk towards the commotion. "I said I apologize, there isn't a lake around here to use." It is Keaton, he is sort of fidgeting in place, uncertain on exactly what he should do. Yet his fur is bristling and I can smell the anger coming off of him, I finally discern anger as spicy.

"Then it should be even more obvious to wait!" I round the corner to see a livid soldier, currently he discards his armor in favor of some clothing that labels him as the one handling cooking duties.

"What's going on here?" It is rhetorical, I already overheard it, though some habits are hard to break.

"This…" The man stops himself before coughing and composing himself, "Lady Yasei, your guest tainted our morning portion of washing water with animal blood." He glares at the one in question.

I nod and look at Keaton, he knows I overheard, but repeats it anyway, "I told him I'm sorry, I'm unused to human traditions." Gods, I never considered that, how do the Wolfskin handle most daily activities?

Not really a tradition, more like resources are limited. 'Hoshido has more than a fair amount of lakes, where are Nohr's?' "Cook, soldier, whatever you are." He snaps to attention, "He gave you his apology, take it and find a way to resume your duties." I turn my gaze to the Wolfskin ,"It was an accident, right? You didn't know, but now you do."

The soldier gritted his teeth, "Yes, Lady Yasei."

"Yea, won't happen again…" I notice a few soldiers tense at his casual tone.

Satisfied, I walk away and return to my tent, I grab Yato and strap it back to its spot. I pick up a Concoction and put it on my waist strap. That is everything. I turn to exit to see Keaton inside, 'I didn't even notice . ' "...Hey." He looks away.

I smile, "Hey… if this is about the water, don't worry about it."

"It isn't." He walks towards me, I notice that the heat from last night isn't here now, "I was actually hoping you could tell me any other rules I should know about."

"Oh, um, sure! We can go over them while we march. We're going through the Woods of the Forlorn." I pause for a moment, "Would you be willing to teach me more about shifting? Like talking?"

"Yea, I can do that." He smiles.

"Sweet." I hug him, he is so warm and his fur feels so nice, yet he tenses over my touch. The heat is still absent. "Oh!" I pull away, "And maybe pass some of your Wolfskin rules to me? I don't want things to be awkward like last night."

"You didn't…" He mumbles, "Uh, sure thing."

"We'll be off soon, make sure you have… Oh wait, you didn't bring anything."

"Just my clothes and Beaststone." Near lack of clothes, more like, but I suppose he does not actually need to wear anything.

"Right… well I suppose we could just start taking things down and get them folded up." He nods. We start with the cots, these things are rather dinky… and I ordered two soldiers to share one. Keaton said he would be fine on the ground, I should probably make sure those two soldiers are alright. We place the cots outside and start working on the tent, it is roomier than a typical single-person tent and it goes down pretty quickly, the cloth is folded until it takes the shape of the mirror attached on the inside. The cots and tent go inside of the Convoy-box near the center of the camp.

Within in a matter of ten minutes the soldiers have gotten the rest of the necessary items into the box and the soldier that carried it yesterday comes over to pick it up. It is one of the soldiers that had to share a cot. "Uh, hi." I say.

He snaps to attention, "Yes, Lady Yasei? Is there something you needed." There is a small amount of contempt coming off of him, yet his face remains neutral.

"Grab your weapon and have… him carry the box instead." I point towards another soldier, making sure it isn't the other one. "You'll be on guard over him."

"Thank… er, at once, Lady Yasei!" I feel a little better now. I just got to find the other one.

A quick walk around tells me the other one also happens to be the one who is on kitchen duty from earlier. "Soldier."

"Yes, Lady Yasei." He has an air of irritation.

"When we camp, you are free to retire for the night after dinner."

Now that caught him off guard, "Tr… I mean, Thank." He stops a moment, "Forgive my manners. As you command, Lady Yasei." Relief comes off in waves from him. There, hopefully that fixes any issues.

The lead soldier has now gathered the troops, Keaton stands awkwardly off to the side, not wanting to be a part of the square the other soldiers are in. The lead soldier shows his disapproval on his face, it fades the second he notices me. "We're ready to march, Lady Yasei."

"Good, let's move out." I let the bulk pass by before following, a squad of soldiers reposition themselves so they lag behind me, then Keaton approaches. "So… human rules," I start as he is beside me, "I suppose etique would be the best place to start. Though I will exclude you having to adding Lady to my name…" I smile.

An hour passes before we reach the start of the woods. If I thought the castle courtyard are dreary, these woods have them outmatched. There is absolutely no sunlight streaming in from the countless trees, the ground is wet and sticky, and it seems like there will be a glowing pair of eyes to pop up any second. We enter the woods and I get closer to Keaton, he feels warm… 'safe . ' This place unnerves me.

"It isn't that bad…" He says a few minutes in, "I mean, check this out!" He picks something up and shows me, a huge grin on his face. It is a spider, and it is larger than any other I seen. He is holding it by the backside. I jump back and squeak. "Huh? You don't like him?"

My face pales, "Spiders are gross… and I'm pretty sure that one is venomous."

"Hm?" He turns the spider towards him, "Yeah, you're right. Nothing lethal, it doesn't smell potent enough..."

"Are you trying to get bitten? Pull it back!"

"...It's nearly a foot away from me, all of its legs combined wouldn't reach me right now." He bends down and sets the spider down next to a tree. "You're scared of spiders…" He smirks.

"No… they just are, unnerving."

"You say that, but your scent gives your lie away." He grins, "Don't worry, I won't hide them near you." At least he is being honest.

"Faceless!" The lead soldier calls out. "To arms! Protect Lady Yasei with your lives!" They form a circle around Keaton and me.

"You are not going to keep me out of this fight." I say.

"Under Crown Prince Xander's orders, we are to have you avoid all combat until we have secured you to the Ice Tribe Village."

I look over to Keaton, I can tell he is spoiling for a fight, "Then let Keaton out, at least."

"Make it quick!" Two soldiers part just barely enough for the Wolfskin to fit and I nudge him on.

"Kill a few for me!" He nods and sets out, the gap closes. A flash of light comes and goes and his beast form is shown once more, he easily towers above the soldiers. He snarls before slamming a Faceless into the ground with a single blow. "Don't chase them down!" Gods, I am already starting to worry.

He listens, though, and stays just far enough so he doesn't get in the way of the soldiers' weapons, the Faceless fall easily to his attacks. Then something strange happens, the Faceless begin to spread out and avoid Keaton completely, opting to charge the other sides of the circle formation. "They are being commanded!" The lead soldier announces.

Soldiers begin to fall, the circle tightens and shrinks. A cry of pain come from my left side, a soldier is about to fall. The soldiers on each side of him block the next fist that would have ended him, yet they are left staggering. It is about to land another blow when an axe lodges itself in its neck. "As I had intended all along! Justice prevails!" I hear a man shout.

"People don't intentionally throw their axes backwards, Arthur." A female says, "Or throws them while holding the bladed end while falling."

"Fear not, Effie! As long as Justice stands with me, then my strikes are true! And Justice and I are inseparable!" Arthur continues. "I shall protect you and Elise, the spirit of Justice will not falter and neither shall I!"

'Elise!?' I hear a horse neigh and the soldiers who just got hit are being healed. I can barely make out the top of Elise's head from where I am standing. "What are you doing here, I told…" the soldiers part to let the Troubadour in.

"Big brother's orders, we couldn't let you do this alone, sis." She has a frown on her face, concern heavy in her eyes.

'Xander's Orders?!' , "Father will be upset if he finds out… when he finds out!"

"You could die out there!" Tears are falling from her eyes, "If hypothermia doesn't get you first, then the Ice Tribe will get you while you're weakened!" She chokes on a breath, "I'm coming with you, our siblings are covering for me, so he won't know."

"Elise… All right." I give in and smile.

"Not even worth the effort!" I hear Effie shout.

"Your retainers?"

She giggles and some of the sorrow fades, Nohr's ball of sunshine is back, "Yup!" She heals one of the soldiers who just took another hit, "You won't find anyone stronger than Effie. Arthur is the most heroic man I have ever met!" She looks at me, "How's the armor handling?"

"It doesn't break from transforming, can't tell you anything besides that. They won't let me fight until I get to the Ice Tribe village."

"Report, any remaining hostiles?" The lead soldier asks. A collective 'no sir!' follows, "Resume marching formation, stay wary!" Four bodies lie dead, in a grim way I am glad I don't know them.

"You're pretty strong, what's your name?" I get a glimpse of Effie, her gray hair is tied to a bun in the back yet she still has long bangs slightly covering her face, she is not even sweating. She is wearing a heavy set of pink armor yet it does not seem to be impeding her movement… impressive. "And would you be up for an arm wrestle later?"

Keaton shifts back to human, "Keaton. Yours?" A pause, "Arm… wrestle?"

"I'm Effie, the unlucky axe wielder over there is Arthur. It's a test of strength." She points towards a man with short blond hair, he has a smile on his face and his armor is a very noticeable combination of red and blue, with some silver here and there.

"Justice ensures my strikes always land true!" He announces.

"Which usually means they hit an enemy he wasn't focusing on." I giggle.

"Aren't they great?" Elise asks.

"They are surely… unique."

She winks, "So true, sister. So, who's the new guy? I don't think I seen him with the guards Xander sent."

"Keaton, he's a Wolfskin."

"Woah! So he's a shapeshifter, too!" She gasps. "How did you meet him? Where?" She begins bouncing on her horse, who neighs in disapproval.

I giggle, "Calm down little sister, I'll tell you." The soldiers begin marching and we follow them, Keaton joins me on my left side while Arthur and Effie are on Elise's right side. "Oh right, Keaton, she is my little sister, Elise. Elise, this is Keaton."

"Sister says you're a Wolfskin, that's so cool."

He looks away and puts his furred hands in his pockets. "Hello, Elise." He scoots a little closer to me, his fur is brushing against my armor. "Thought it would just be us…" He whispers.

"Originally yes." I whisper back, "So, Elise. Before I can actually tell you how I met him… I need to tell you about the new changes to me recently."

She gasps, "More changes? Are you suuure you won't wake up as a dragon one day?"

"Not completely, I found out what I breathe out."

"Is it fire?"

"Highly pressurized streams of water." A small 'oh' follows, "It isn't any less deadly, turns out it is strong enough to tear holes through people."

The conversation continues from there, from breath to the new patches of scales and a… safer description of my first taste of raw meat. I then back up and tell her what actually happened that lead up to meeting and recruiting Keaton. "And that's it."

"A lot has happened." She comments, "But ewwww, raw meat? What were you thinking?!"

"Her dragon side was thinking it, not her human side." Keaton speaks up. "Fresh meat is perfectly normal for us. Blood and all."

"Can we talk about something else now?" She is starting to get sick.

Several hours later and we're out of the woods, the sun is almost gone but we march just a little further to make sure we will not be camping near something like a bear's territory. The nightly sludge stew is being served out and I get a bowl, then decide to sit next to the campfire. It tastes a little better than this morning, maybe just because I am actually hungry. The one soldier turns in for the night when he finishes.

Keaton is standing awkwardly a few feet away from me and Elise sits to my left side. "Don't you want some, Keaton?" She asks.

"That… filth is vile, the smell alone is enough to get me to gag." He sits near me, but a few inches further to get away from the stew.

"I'm surprised you haven't already left to kill an animal yet." I finish my bowl and set it away from Keaton.

"Waiting for everyone else so I don't taint the water again…" He scoffs.

"Huh?" Elise asks, "What do you mean?"

"Nothing…" He dismisses it.

"I would rather you keep your dinner in you." I suggest.

"Oh…"

"Yasei, would you like to join me?" He flashes his sharp teeth.

I return it with a smile, "All you had to do is ask."

"...Ewwww…" Elise says as we leave.

About a half minute in I decide to ask, "Well, what do you think of my little sister?"

"She isn't annoying like the rest. I don't understand all of this… human stuff." He pauses and his ears twitch, "I am only traveling because you can shift, you know. Humans don't understand Shifters and Shifters don't understand Humans."

"It is refreshing to be living so, simply. This is something I would like to do more." 'With you . ' I sniff the air, "Deer?" He is already getting ahead, "Hey!" I whisper harshly.

He turns around long enough to smirk at me, he shifts and leaps with speed that seems to defy his size. The deer is easily crushed. "This is much better." The glow envelopes him again and he takes the first bite.

I get the next bite in, eager for the appetizing taste. "Definitely." I feel the blood splash on my face, but I really don't care, it all just feels so right. "Now…" I start off after ripping into another piece, "What did I do last night? And don't tell me it was nothing."

"After the kill? Alpha takes the first bite." There is a fair amount of blood across his face. "I-... should have told you, but…"

I scoot a little closer and I can almost touch him with my elbow, "That's all? Then why didn't you just say so then?" My heart is racing again, why?

"I have my reasons…"

"...Okay, I'll ask later, then." 'Stop being so evasive.'