Ugh what I wouldn't give for a bed.

Corrin rolled over, trying in vain to find a more comfortable position on the group. As he turned, he noticed a familiar black and gold boot about a meter away from his head. Groaning internally, the former prince slowly looked up to see precisely what he had been hoping not to see.

"Camilla."

The princess squealed. "OH is my adorable baby brother finally awake? How are you feeling sweetie? You didn't get hurt in yesterday's battle did you?"

Corrin facepalmed. As much as he loved his older sister, and he really did, he had not missed the baggage that came with her. "Camilla, you know that I'm fine. Xander told you himself that I was fine… Heck, you were there in the battle!"

"I know, but I just wanted to make sure. After all, you didn't tell me you brought that 'ninja' back home with you."

"Oh no, please tell me you didn't do anything to him."

"Never! Well nothing permanent."

"Damn it Camilla!"

Oh he's fine." Camila pouted. "He just wanted to stop me from keeping you safe."

"You mean he wanted to stop you from watching me sleep…"

Camilla waved the comment away. "How am I supposed to trust him? Last time I saw him he was trying to kill you."

"You- admittedly have a point. But still, if I say he's okay that means he's okay!"

"Oh darling, you know I love you, but you've been in enemy territory for weeks now. How am I supposed to know if you're not a little confused?"

"UHG! Camila where is my ninja?!"

"Hmph, fine! He's outside. Selena and Beruka are keeping an eye on him."

"Oh for the love of-" Corrin got up and fastened the Yato to his belt before sweeping his cape around his shoulders.

"Well it looks like I can't stop you." Camila sighed and threw her hands up in exasperation. "As headstrong as ever I see. Well at least you didn't change. Anyway I'll meet you later. Remember you promised to ride with Xander and me on the way back to Windmire."

"Ya, ya. I know. See you then!" Corrin shouted back as he exited the tent.

As the tent flap fell back into place behind him, Corrin was greeted by the sight of Kaze tied up. One woman with crimson pigtails was standing off to the side talking to Lilith while another with pale green hair was holding an ax to Kaze's throat.

Groaning out loud this time, Corrin walked over to Lilith and the red haired woman. "Lilith, what happened?"

"Lady Camilla, milord."

"What does is look like happened?" Selena added.

Corrin rolled his eyes before glancing at the red haired woman. She looked to be approximately his sister's age and wore a traditional mercenary's garb. At her side was a strange barbarian-looking sword that Corrin couldn't quite identify. "I'm sorry. Selena was it?"

"Gawds don't pretend you don't know me. I've been working for your sister for the last three years."

"Whatever. Why does your friend have an ax at my servant's throat?"

"He tried to stop Lady Camila," she said like that explained it. "Aren't there princesses where he comes from? This isn't exactly weird."

"Maybe, but watching me sleep and restraining my bodyguard definitely are. Speaking of which, not that I'm complaining, but why is Lilith exempt?"

Lilith crossed her arms. "I knew better than to get in your sister's way, milord."

"Ahh. That makes sense." Corrin walked over to Beruka and made an attempt to free Kaze. His efforts were in vain.

"Umm, Selena a little help here?"

"UGH. Fine. Hey Beruka, the fact he's out here means Lady Camila's done..."

The assassin looked at her partner, her expression remaining cold and removed. "Really?"

"Ya really. Now come on, I'm sure Lady Camilla has something she needs us to do."

"Understood." Beruka finally lowered the ax and the two retainers walked away. "Oh, Laslow wants to schedule a retainer beach trip. Want me to refuse?"

"Gawds yes. Just don't break any bones. Well, maybe one or two."

Corrin and Lilith spent the next few minutes untying Kaze. When the two were finally finished the sun had risen quite a bit.

"This has been one hell of a morning," Corrin vented. "Kaze, are you all right?"

"Just a little shaken up milord. You neglected to tell me your sister is insane."

"Just the older one. Though the smaller one is twelve so… not much of a difference."

"Anything else I should know?"

"The high prince has a womanizer and an actual sociopath as retainers. Give the latter a WIDE berth," Lilith offered.

"Also ignore everything Leo's retainers say. And I do mean everything," Corrin added with a nod.

"Just what have I gotten myself into…"

"Lord Corrin!"

Corrin turned away from his two subordinates and toward the direction the shrill voice had come from. To his surprise he saw the telltale pink hair of his maid. "Felicia? Is that you? What are you doing here?!"

"My question exactly," Leo added, with an exasperated eye roll. "Since she's arrived she's broken three different sets of plates, crashed a carriage, and given twenty soldiers food poisoning." The prince held up his hand in surrender. "However ten minutes later she single-handedly killed four Hoshidan ninjas before the rest of our troops even spotted them… It makes absolutely no sense."

"If it talks like a Felicia, cooks like a Felicia, and kills like a Felicia, it's probably Felicia," Corrin replied with a smile. "Still, it's amazing to see you both all right. I must have given the two of you quite the scare."

"I should say so!" Felicia stammered out, her cheeks a rosy shade of pink. "The last time I saw you, you and Gunter were fighting off waves off Hoshidans! Hans said that-"

"Hans?" Corrin interrupted with a quiet voice. There was a slight quiver to it, but other than that he gave nothing away. He might have been discussing the weather. It definitely wasn't the tone of voice one would expect when discussing a man who had attempted to murder him. "Hans gave a report about my disappearance?"

"Huh? Well, yes milord. He told us that you ordered him to go report back to the king so that you wouldn't die in vain."

"He got very emotional during the telling," Leo said, his expression hard. "In fact, it was so emotional I'm sure it must have affected his rendition. Wouldn't you agree?"

Corrin nodded. "Well, we'll just have to set the record straight once we get back."

"Not a bad idea. Now, if you'll excuse me. Those idiot pegasus knights wiped out my entire supply column in the last battle. I have to go check with Niles to see if anything can be scavenged."

After bidding his brother farewell, the prince turned back to his servants. Felicia had moved over to Lilith and the two servants were happily holding hands. "Lilith, I'm so glad you're okay! Everyone back at the Northern Fortress was worried sick when you disappeared from the capital."

"Everyone was?" a startled Lilith asked awkwardly. Her cheeks were a shade redder than normal. "I-I'm happy to hear it. I mean I'm not happy that they were worried, I'm just- just-"

"You're happy that they cared. There's nothing wrong with that," Kaze offered. Turning back to the maid, he held out a hand. "It's good to see you again. My name is Kaze. I joined Corrin's household while in Hoshido."

Felicia's eyes went up and down the green haired, toned, figure standing in front of her. "See you again? I admit you seem a bit familiar, but I'm afraid I can't quite place it…"

Corrin chuckled. "He was one of the Hoshidans we fought in the King's throneroom."

"W-what?! W-well then." Felicia didn't seem to quite know what to do so hesitantly reached out and shook Kaze's hand, albeit clumsily. Taking a moment to regain her composure, Corrin watched her eyes widen as she seemed to remember something. "Oh milord! I almost forgot. Jacob asked me to give you this should I find you." The maid held out a letter marked with a beautiful crimson script.

Corrin tore it open and briefly scanned the contents. "So Jacob was transferred following my disappearance. Hmm… If what he wrote here is any indication, I do not envy his new employer. Heh, good to know somethings never change." The prince pocketed the note. "Once we're back in the capital we'll have to be sure to put a transfer request in immediately. I want my butler back. What about Flora and the rest of the servants back at the Northern Fortress?"

"Most of them got reassigned. When I left to come find you, there were only a few left besides my sister."

"Ouch. Guess we're going to need to put up a couple 'help wanted' fliers." Corrin smiled. "Well I'm glad you found us. Now come on everyone, it looks like we're almost ready to head out."

"Announcing the second son of the late queen of Hoshido, Corrin!"

Corrin grimaced as he walked towards the grim, ebon throne, eventually kneeling down in front of it. Well. That's not a good sign.

The gold and black ornamentations that adorned the throne room glowed softly with the faint light of candles. Shadows danced and moved seemingly of their own accord. And sitting on high, his chief advisor at his right hand, was the man Corrin had once called father. Garon.

"Hail, Garon, King of Nohr. I have come to present myself to you."

"Have you now? And just why would an enemy prince do such a thing?"

Corrin felt his blood turn to ice and became acutely aware of the fact that his retainers had probably been forced to wait outside for a very specific reason. Of all the ways this audience could have gone, this might've been the worst. "Enemy prince, your grace?"

"What else would I call the child of an enemy ruler?" the King growled, impatience starting to creep into his voice. "Now spit it out child. Why have you come back? From what I've heard, your memories of how came to this country all those years ago have returned have they not?"

"T-they have, Your Grace."

"Then I will ask one last time. Why have you returned to the one who took you? To the one who even now wages war against your homeland?"

"I'd think it quite obvious my liege," Iago piped in. The advisor seemed to be having the time of his life. He smirked down at the prince, perverse pleasure for Corrin's suffering clearly adorned his face. "Clearly, the Hoshidans have set up this farce in an attempt to plant an assassin close to our magnanimous king!"

"You will shut your mouth, snake!" Xander shouted. "I will not have you insult my brother in my-"

"Xander, silence," Garon commanded. "Iago, please continue."

"With pleasure, my King. If anything, our dear high prince's outburst has served to only reinforce my claim! See how he rises unbidden to defend his former sibling? Our traitor has him in his pocket! Though the Hoshidans may be a backward and pathetic bunch of barbarians, even they would realize what sort of protection that would provide." Iago pointed down at the kneeling Corrin. "And so, they sent him back, murder in his eyes, ready to end our glorious bid at revenge before it has even begun. But we are not so easily fooled, oh no! My king, let us prune this traitorous tree before it has it's chance to bear fruit. Let us show Hoshido how we handle assassins!"

"My advisor makes a compelling argument, and yet still you remain silent. Has your time in Hoshido stripped you of your tongue?"

"No, Your Grace. It's just that your advisor seems to be a bit confused."

Corrin waited until the king motioned for him to continue. "Iago would appear to be under the impression that I came back to Nohr to reclaim my former position as a prince. I think that everyone in this room would agree when I say that that's impossible."

Iago scoffed. "Then why come back? Would you have us believe that you would give up your birthright for mere sentimentality?"

Corrin felt his eye twitch and something inside of him growled with hate. Doing his best to keep the impulse in check, the former-prince merely smiled. "Iago, if I wanted the opinion of a disgusting pile of filth, I would- well, now that I think about it, I guess I probably would come to you. But if you wouldn't mind? Shut up."

"You- you stuck up conniving, piece of-" Iago was interrupted as the King began to chuckle softly.

"It would seem you haven't lost your tongue after all. Now. Continue."

"Of course, Your Grace. As I was saying, I did not come back to reclaim my title of prince. As has been previously stated, I am, by birth, a prince of Hoshido. Nothing I say or do now can change that." Corrin looked up, forcing his eyes to meet those of the king's. It was a grievous breach of edicate, but at this point it wouldn't make much of a difference. "But I was raised a prince of Nohr. I grew up believing that, living that. My siblings here… I couldn't bring myself to hurt them. Even if it was what my birth-family asked of me."

"So I was right! They did ask you to betray us!"

"They asked me to help them defend themselves," Corrin spat. "But like I said, I couldn't betray Xander, Camilla or the others. Even now I can't betray you, my King. Even after- even after I saw my mother murdered in front of eyes. I still couldn't do it."

The prince turned away. He could feel the sting of tears as the memory resurfaced. But now was not the time for that. Any weakness would be fatal. "So instead I decided to do the unthinkable. I would betray my Hoshidan family. I would betray the people who had welcomed me back into their lives without a second thought."

Corrin recounted the events of the battle, taking special care to omit any and all mention of drugging the enemy pegasi. He had the oddest feeling that particular revelation might not go over well.

When he had finished the room fell into silence.

Eventually Garon broke the quiet. "So, that was your handiwork. Hmm. But that still doesn't explain why you came back."

"If your claim is true, you could have merely left the battlefield after assisting in our victory." Iago sneered. "You did not need to return to Windmire."

"I guess you have a point there." Corrin admitted. "Except that there were two things I did leave out The first is that I intend to joining the Nohrian military, as a grunt if need be."

Garon grunted before responding. "Oh really? Why?"

"I left Hoshido to keep my siblings safe. As long as this war continues they remain in danger. If I can shorten that time by joining the military, I will."

"Hmm, and the other revelation?"

Camilla and Leo gasped as Corrin rose up and stood tall. The King merely raised an eyebrow and waited for his explanation. "When I was brought into the Nohrian encampment I was informed that my disappearance was reported by Hans. Is that true?"

"It was."

Corrin nodded. "Then I demand his execution under charges of attempted murder, insubordination, and treason to the crown."

"What?!"

"Huh?!"

"I knew it."

Corrin ignored his sibling's cries of shock and instead continued to stare down the imperious man sitting atop the throne.

"My, my. I knew you'd try something ridiculous, but this?" Iago started to laugh. "This is ludicrous! To think, you'd try to pull something like this?! Why if I-"

"Silence."

Iago stopped mid-sentence, more shocked than anything else. For a moment, Corrin thought that the advisor was going to say something, but he seemed to think better of it, instead deciding to obey the king.

"Now explain yourself. If you think to levy such egregious accusations, I expect a satisfactory explanation."

"Of course your grace." Corrin recounted the story of what had transpired at the Bottomless canyon, making sure to emphasize Hans's betrayal. He also made doubly sure to say just enough to imply Lilith had saved him by pulling him up onto the bridge instead of jumping off said bridge after him. The whole Valla curse aside, he did NOT need them to start questioning Lilith. In war time that could easily spiral out of control. Hell I can't even ensure my own safety right now. As long as he takes it at face value I should be fine."

The king scratched his chin. "So you're saying that Lilith, a stable girl, was able to pull you, a fully grown man in armor, up onto the bridge? Am I correct in assuming that?"

Shit.

"And exactly what happened to Hans during this period? Do you expect me to believe he merely left you hanging onto the side of a bridge? If you're going to lie to me boy, make it better than that."

Double Shit! I swear the stress of these past few days is getting to me… I am better than this. Personally I blame Hoshido and their warm, comfy sleeping mats. They make sleeping on the ground COMPLETELY impossible.

Garon raised an eyebrow. "Do you have nothing to say?"

Corrin sighed and reached into his back pocket. Plan B it is then. Slowly, raising his hand for all to see, the prince held aloft the smooth, green dragonstone he had been keeping on his person.

For a moment, Corrin saw recognition flash through Garon's and Iago's eyes and he couldn't help but smile internally. Oh? Do you already know what this is? Funny. Your guards didn't, so they didn't confiscate it along with my sword. Shame that. "My King, I apologize profusely for my sin. I felt that those assembled would either not believe the truth or be terrified of it. However, if it is your will, I shall show you." Not waiting for permission, Corrin continued, "This is an object I have recently acquired, known as a dragonstone." Corrin ignored the gasp from Leo and spoke on. "If it is your will, I will show the assembled court just how I was able to both drive off Hans as well as climb back up onto the bridge."

Garon gave a barely discernible nod and Corrin, for the first time in his life, activated the stone.

It was a rush unlike anything he had ever felt. Where as before, the power had always been excruciating, this time it felt like jumping into a hot spring. The soothing warmness rolled over his body, appendages warped and grew while scales sprang forth from his skin. In a flash it was over, and yet, this time things were very much different.

Corrin was in control this time. Complete control.

Relishing in the feeling of power his new form had given him, Corrin took a moment to look around the room. The first thing that stood out, was that his siblings were jaw-dropped. In the thirty seconds since he had transformed, Xander had gone into full crown-prince mode. He had summoned medics, guards, and a new tailor, in that order. Leo was studying him carefully, making sure to take down as many notes as he could. Corrin internally groaned at the thought of the inevitable interview that he was going to have to endure. Camilla looked panicked while Iago looked as though he might break something. And Garon just sat there, his expression very much the same. Taking one last moment to enjoy the feeling of power flooding through his veins, Corrin reversed the transformation and once more settled back into his human form, luckily for Corrin but unluckily for the tailor, his armor was still in tact..

Putting the dragonstone back into its pouch, Corrin added, "I apologize for not telling you, my liege. But as I said, I was afraid you would all panic. As can clearly be seen though, in that form I could easily have flown back onto the bridge. I just needed Lilith to grab my stone for me as Hans knocked it out of my hand when I chased him off."

"Chased him off?"

Corrin held up his right hand and allowed a fraction of his power past the stone's limiter. His limb extended into the clawed talons of his draconic form. "At the time, I was only capable of partial transformations. Claws, wings and the like. Hans knocked the stone out of my other one, when I attacked."

Silence filled the room.

Garon's eyes narrowed until they were no more than slits. Something wasn't right. A power had started to seep into the room, and the moment he felt it, his skin began to crawl as his muscles seized up. Corin almost felt an inhuman presence, completely different from Ose, but familiar all the same. What was it? It doesn't feel demonic...Wait, Arete? But how… No not her, but similar? What the hell is it? Damn, I feel like I'm fifty feet under water- Can barely think! Shoving that train of throught to the wayside, Corrin forced himself to focus on fighting off the malignant aura. He felt the power behind that gaze. The former prince wanted to run, to hide, to curl up on the floor and start crying. More than anything else he wanted to apologize, to beg for mercy, anything to appease the king. But he didn't. There was something else in him. Something that was stronger, that whispered soft songs of defiance. Clinging onto that force, he kept his chin high, kept his gaze focused and hard. His eyes did not move from the king's.

What felt like an eternity passed before Garon broke the exchange. "Iago. Send for Hans. Have him brought before me. Now."

"What?! But my king, he just displayed a weapon in the royal chambers! If anything he should be-"

"Iago. If you try my patience again, you will answer my questions in Hans's stead. Am I clear?"

"C-crystal, Your Grace," Iago hastily replied as he ran off to carry out his master's will. He returned shorty, a confused Hans close on his tail.

Upon seeing Corrin, Hans smirked. "Well, well, well, if it isn't the runt. I thought you bit it back at the bridge." Taking a moment to glare at the assembled royal siblings, he continued, "Can't express how… happy, I am to see you again. Thought we'd lost you."

Camilla took a step forward, but Garon held up a hand. He then snapped his fingers, causing Iago to raise a hand, magic already cast. Blue, vines of light crept up from the ground, binding the man's arms and legs, but leaving his head and mouth untouched. He couldn't move a centimeter but he could certainly still speak.

"W-WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON! KING GARON, WHAT IS-"

"Hans, it has come to my attention that you attempted to murder my son, is that true?"

"I didn't touch no princes! Just some Hoshidan filth that-"

"Iago."

The bindings tightened and Hans screamed in pain. Garon waited for them to subside before he continued.

"You would do well not to insult him in my presence," Garon said lazily, as though he were discussing the weather. "Now answer my question. Did you attack Corrin?"

"Y-yes, but- but it was-"

The bindings tightened and extended over the victim's mouth preventing him from finishing his sentence.

"Well I do believe that constitutes a confession," Garon finished dryly. "Guards, fetch Corrin his weapon and bring his retainers into the room. It would appear they have been judged prematurely."

The throne room waited on baited breath as the guards hastily ran off, only returning once they had summoned the three servants as well as brought the Yato. Garon's eyes lit up once he saw the blade. "Well, well, well. Isn't that an interesting development."

"My king?"

For the first time in the audience, Garon smiled. "Later, Corrin, later. For now, we have a criminal to punish. Tell me Iago, what is the punishment for the crimes outlined?"

"Execution, your grace."

"Execution…," the king muttered, tapping his fingers on the arm of his throne. "In that case, Corrin, I want you to carry out the punishment."

"Me, Your Grace?"

"But of course. It was you he assaulted, was it not?"

"Well yes but-"

"And you want revenge don't you?"

"Of course I do, but-"

"Then what? Take up your sword." Garon looked Corrin in the eyes. "The weak must be culled. This man is a liar and traitor, purge us of this monster."

Part of Corrin wanted to argue further, to tell the king that taking a life like this, any life, was wrong. That's what he had always thought, what Hoshido clearly thought. Death in combat was one thing, but this? This was murder.

But there was another part in the prince, the part that had kept him strong under the king's glare. That part laughed at those notions. That part picked up his sword and strode over to where Hans was bound.

Do you think we will reciprocate your mercy?

There is no honor in men like him.

Put him down.

If he lives, he will only try to kill us, to kill our family, to kill our friends.

Do you want to allow this man near little Elise?

How about Lilith or Kaze?

Maybe Garon will even send him after the Hoshidan royals.

Do you want him to kill Sakura or Ryoma?

Or Azura?

At such a close distance, Corrin could see the desperate tears welling up in the man's eyes as he realized his own fate.

If it is my life or his, then he is already dead. If it is his life or those of the people I care about... then I shall erase him.

In a single, fluid motion Corrin thrust the Yato through Hans's chest, passing through Iago's magic, Hans's armor, and his enemy's flesh as if it were butter. And as the light in Hans's eyes faded into nothingness, Corrin's mind focused as the merciless part of him conceded to the ruthless. It was as if he had relearned a lesson that he had long ago forgotten. Ripping the Yato free, Corrin spared one last look of pity on the dead man before turning his gaze back on the Nohrian king.

Garon laughed. It was maniacal, guttural, and completely disconcerting. When he had finished the King looked back at the former prince. "To think I was so wrong! When you entered this room I honestly thought it would be you lying on the floor in a pool of blood, but no. You have defied all expectations."

Garon rose and began walking forward. "All those years ago I thought there was something special about you. It's why I raised you as a son and not as a knight or noble. I had a feeling. But then, as war between Hoshido and Nohr became ever more likely, I lost faith. I began to think your blood tainted. When you disappeared at the Bottomless Canyon… I thought my fears had been realized. But instead you came back to us. You won the first battle of the war. You chose Nohr. You choose us. " Garon stopped in front of Corrin and put a hand on his shoulder. "Can you ever forgive an old man for making such a terrible mistake?"

"Father… O-of course. I'm honored that you would say such things."

Garon smiled and gripped his shoulder tighter. "I am overjoyed to hear you say that." He released the shoulder and took a step back. "But we have quite the unusual situation on our hands. As you know now, you are not my natural born son, and thus are not a prince. Nor are you really in the line of succession... Were you serious early about your wish to join the Nohrian military?"

Corrin nodded. "I was. I will do anything I can to help end this war as quickly as possible."

"Hmm. I may no longer be able to call you son in public, but in my heart know you will always be just that. And no son of mine is so worthless that they would be wasted as a grunt. Kneel."

Slightly confused at the turn of events, Corrin knelt.

"By my absolute authority as the King of Nohr, I, Garon, in acknowledgement of your outstanding achievements in the first battle against Hoshido, as well as in the exposure of a traitor within our midst, do grant thee the title of nobility as well as the Northern Fortress to rule as you see fit. Now rise, Nohrian Noble, rise and face the court."

Corrin was speechless. He had come into this room worried that he would be killed. Now he was nobility?! It was below his previous rank, sure, but anything would be. Rising slowly to his feet, he turned back to see the beaming faces of Xander, Camilla, Leo, and Felicia as well as the shocked faces of Lilith and Kaze. As the applause from his siblings and retainers faded, Corrin turned back to the king and knelt. "You honor me my king, more so than I can possibly describe. What would you have me do?"

"First I would have you tell me of your time in Hoshido. And spare no detail. I would also know of your abilities. How much control do you have over them? And where did you find that stone?"

And so the next twenty minutes were spent in an odd haze as Corrin recounted the rest of his time in Hoshido. Besides the obvious need to lie about the dragonstone and Valla, Corrin also found himself hiding most of the details regarding his private exchanges with Azura. For some reason he felt as though the blue haired princess had more to do with Valla than she had had a chance to tell, and after that feeling earlier he wasn't sure what to think of his king.

"Hmm…," Garon began, after Corrin had finally finished. "So a leopard-like demon killed the Queen of Hoshido and they thought we were to blame… This certainly changes things. Leo."

"Father."

"I want you to return to the Sorcerer's Academy. See if you can't find any mention of demons or the like."

"Of course. I will leave first thing tomorrow."

"Excellent. I would also be interested if you could find anything on dragonstones or the Yato. At this point, there is too much we do not know. Xander, Camilla."

"Yes, Father," the two said in unison.

"You two will continue to wage war as initially planned. Though it would appear there is more at work than we initially thought, I will not have us lose this war because of it. Am I understood?"

"Completely."

"Good. Corrin. I want you to go to a small village on the other side of the Hoshidan border. I've heard reports of odd magic in that area. Before I thought them merely fairy tales but now…"

"Now you think they might be demon related," Corrin finished with a frown.

Garon nodded. "I am sorry to send you out so soon, but you are the only one with first-hand experience. You will find out what you can, and if there is a demon… Kill it. Any threat to Nohr I will see mercilessly crushed. Understood?"

"Of course."

"Excellent. Iago will provide you with maps for the town. Now go! Fly, my children. Take to the four corners of this land and see that nothing stands against you."

Iago watched as the great doors to the throne room finally closed. He then proceeded to take a moment to cast a Makajam spell on the walls so they wouldn't be overheard. Upon finishing he turned to the king and nodded.

"Well, well. Wasn't that an interesting turn of events?"

"And here I thought you intended to kill the boy off, my liege."

"I did. But if Corrin wishes to grovel at my feet who am I to refuse him? And besides, for some reason he has been given the Yato. Better to have that cursed scrap of metal at my beck and call then kill its bearer and risk it choosing a new master."

"Perhaps my king, but are you not worried over losing Hans? He was one of your loyalist soldiers."

"I would take one with the power of the dragon vein over a thousand of Hans. As to his loyalty... I'm quite sure that at the moment he is far more suspicious then he has let on."

"He's searching for Ose."

Garon nodded. "He will play the role of obedient servant until such a time that he believes he has found the demon's master. At that time he will try to turn my children against me in rebellion."

"Then why take him back? Why not just kill or imprison him and be done with it?"

"Because he is still naive. He is so confident in his own ability that he will not consider that he himself is being manipulated. As I send him across Nohr, from mission to mission, eventually he will break. A little slaughter here, a failure to save a life there. By the time I am finished he will either be a broken shell of a man or he will have acquired a taste for cruelty. Either way, by then he will be my creature. And if he should somehow still try to rebel? His reputation will be in tatters. No one will ever join him, not even his siblings."

"But why send him to the Hoshidan village? We both know there is a rebellion brewing in the Ice Tribe and there's no such demonic activity across the border. Speaking of which, I assume you wish for me to send a detachment of Faceless there as a welcoming party?"

"Correct."

Iago nodded absent mindedly. "But still, why send him to Hoshido? It's like you want the Ice Tribe to rise up."

"As I said before, if he is to serve me willingly, Corrin must be groomed. Finding a Hoshidan village mercilessly wiped out by monsters? He is ready for such a task. But being forced to put down a rebellion of our own citizens, one of which he grew up with? Oh no, he is not ready for such an ordeal. Besides, as it stands now he might've been able to stop the rebellion with no bloodshed. We can't have that, now can we? Let their resentment grow with their strength. And when both are at their most fervor pitch, then and only then will we send Corrin."

Iago bowed, satisfied with his king's plan. As he made his way to the side door at the edge of the throne room, Garon's voice rang out once more. "And Iago. It would appear that you know have someone on your trail. Why, if I didn't know better, I'd say that little outburst during the audience indicates he already suspects you."

The advisor froze and turned back to the king. The old man smiled down at his servant. "Just remember this should you ever entertain any thoughts of betraying me: it would be a terrible shame if Corrin were to discover just who was responsible for the death of his mother."

"Yes, my liege," Iago said, forcing a smile as he did so. "It certainly would be."

As he walked out of the throne room he wondered if he should have told the king. When his highness channeled Anankos's power… instead of submitting, Corrin's aura turned demonic for an instant. It would seem Ose was telling the truth after all. Hmm, that is quite worrying. In that case I'd better deploy Dis to follow the prince on his journey. If he has the potential to threaten the plan... well we can't allow that now can we?

Flora stood at the end of the frozen tundra, basking in the familiar feeling of the snow and wind swirling around her. It had been only a few days since she had left the Northern Fortress, but it felt like a lifetime since she had last stood in front of her village. The soft glow of lights seeped out from the huts that dotted the forlorn, frosty landscape. It was all still here. She hadn't been too late.

Sighing in relief, the maid began to make her way down to the village.

She arrived with almost no incident. Once or twice a child had pointed to her, no doubt confused by her maid uniform, but they were quickly shushed by their parents. Flora could see from their eyes that they knew who she was. And that made the shame all the more poignant.

At long last she arrived in front of the main meeting house. Taking a moment to consciously force herself to stop nervously twisting her blue hair around one of her fingers, Flora took a deep breath to steady herself before pushing open the doors.

Inside was exactly what she had expected to find. There was a group of older men and women surrounding a central table. They were most likely looking at a map of some sorts, as they would intermittently point at the table and mutter something about how it wasn't nearly defended enough. Looking up from their discussions, a blue haired man at the head of the table lifted up his head to look at the room's newest entrant. Recognition filled his face and the wrinkles of his cheeks spread into smile dimples as he rose note of their leader's actions, the rest of the group looked over at the maid. Flora did her best to ignore the looks of pity as they all took note of her outfit.

"Flora, you're back! Thank goodness you made it safely." The man looked around the room. "Where is your sister? No, let me guess. She tripped on her way through town, right?"

"No father, she- she isn't here. Felicia left the fortress a day earlier than your letter arrived to follow rumors of Corrin's survival. By the time I read it, she was beyond my reach. I'm so sorry."

Her father's expression froze and hardened. "I understand. That's a pity; we were counting on her strength for the coming battles." Looking around at the downtrodden expressions that had grown on the faces of his fellows, he hastily continued. "But don't worry, I'm sure we'll get her back before all is said and done. Oh, and Flora, we have a change of clothes back in your old room. You're not a Nohrian hostage anymore. You needn't wear that uniform any longer."

Flora bowed with the grace and practice one would expect from her profession. "Thank you father. I will change immediately."

Her father Kilma nodded. "Excellent, when you're done, please come join us for the remainder of the meeting. We have much to discuss."

Author's Note-

Housekeeping things before we go any further. I've decided to commit to a more regular update schedule. As things stand right now I'm basically updating this randomly when I can, and that isn't really fair to you guys, especially with the support you've shown. So going forward, I'm going to update this every other Saturday, with this chapter being the first and the next coming out on the first of October. I hope this makes things easier for you all!

As to the very obvious changes made to some of the characters and events. (Hans is dead and I refuse to apologize.) I hope you guys enjoyed them. If you see any issues or have any ideas, please leave a review! Also we are not going to the Ice Tribe yet. It will come! But later...

Thank you very much for reading! If you have questions, critiques, or predictions, please leave a review and I'll do my best to get back to you!

Otaku-Nation666- You're completely right haha I guess I wasn't that subtle at all. I'm sorry if I offended, I was just trying to play along with your previous review. Anyways, thank you for your continued support, it means a lot and I hope you enjoyed the latest chapter!

vampireharry the 2- Thank you very much! Your continued support means a lot!

RealmOfEmptiness- Thank you! I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well. (Also he's definitely a madman.)

rc48177- As things stand now, Corrin only has one or two memories from his previous life. Because of that he is still very much Corrin and not the Demifiend. He's just not far enough along where he would have the strength to follow his own path and reject his siblings. (Also Ose's involvement threw things for a loop.) If he were to gain any more of those memories his actions and persona would surely change accordingly. Anyway that's how I look at it, I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Disclaimer- This is a nonprofit, fan-based work. All characters and settings belong to their respective owners.

Next Time- Beyond our Ken