Gunter and Captain would be over the repairs, while I did as promised to my brothers and sisters. Thank the Gods the foodstuffs wasn't affected in anyway, although I doubt the food of a human would be satisfactory in the belly of a monster.

…en…

It…it finally hit me.

I was going to be gone for who knows how long with no idea of when I would return. A royalty of Nohr, once an open secret to the Northern Fortress and a select few, was now to be revealed to all of Nohr…and of Hoshido.

"Princess Weiss! Your hand!"

One of the maids snapped me back into the now. All of that thinking almost had the knife in my right hand catch my left hand while making the dinner. I'm glad that trance slowed things down a bit.

"Sorry. Thank you."

"Princess Weiss, let us take care of the dinner."

Head Maid Thora. I shook my head. "Not on your life, Head Maid. My family is here, but you and the others are welcome to assist. I'm focused, honest."

And assist they did. Dinner tonight was from the boar hunt yesterday, and since it was made by myself, there was no need of the "taste-testing", according to Xander. That's a story of many to tell, surrounding him in particular. Another time, though.

…forgotten…

…

"*munch* *munch* munch This is great, Weiss!"

"Elise! Mind your manners."

"We're not in front of Father, Xander. No need to act dainty."

Camilla was right.

"You are meant to eat using your hands," I added, just before grabbing the boar meat and eating it.

All my brothers and sisters were sat at the table, with me seated at the head, not after serving them.

Xander sighed, and set his utensils down to follow the rest of us.

CRUNCH* *munch* *munch* munch

After the first few bites, he placed a hand over his mouth and swallowed.

"How is it, Xander?"

"It's…very delicious. It's…it's new."

While Xander removed his hand from his mouth-

snort* *cough* cough

Leo. "Leo! Are you alright?"

pat* *pat* *pat* *cough* *cough* cough "Sorry! It was…really good."

Must have caught onto something that the rest of us didn't-some of the maids also noticed, and were also trying to stifle what looked to be a laugh.

Nevertheless, it was good to be with family.

…forgotten…

…

As soon as dinner was finished, I had planned to prepare whatever items I could carry to Windmire, to Castle Krakenberg, but I was assured that this room will still be mine even after I'm gone. I ended up with a small bag of money I had saved, as well as a light meal to warm the way there. Unfortunately, all the weapons that were in the armory were badly damaged or destroyed in the battle. The only thing I had to defend me was the kunai and shuriken that were recovered from the monsters. It will have to do, but thank goodness for my brother and sisters.

Since I didn't have a mount, I was to be on Leo's horse, trotting side by side with Elise's horse. Given that her mount was a wyvern, Camilla rode out earlier to report to King Garon of my departure, and my subsequent arrival.

As we trotted towards the West Gate we were met with the townsfolk. A lot of them has stopped rebuilding to see me off. It was…rather silent.

"Princess Weiss! Princess Weiss!"

The kids, and they were up rather late.

Some of the kids ran up to me, they had a small pouch with them. I dismounted to meet with them.

"We gathered these for you!"

"They're the nuts we gathered from the trees here!"

They handed me the bag. It felt weighty. "So many…thank you."

They ended up hugging me.

"Be safe, Princess."

"I will. Thank you."

"Hail! Hail! Princess Weiss! Hail! Hail! Princess Weiss!"

Someone from the sides starting chanting my name.

[Hail! Hail! Princess Weiss! Hail! Hail! Princess Weiss!]

I mounted back on Leo's horse, and continued onwards.

…have forgotten…

…

Captain and Gunter met us before the West Gate.

"Prince Xander."

"Captain Hans."

"Will you permit a moment to have the Princess in front of me?"

Xander nodded. "Weiss?"

I dismounted Leo's horse and stood in front of Captain. I saluted him "Captain."

"Sergeant. At ease."

I relaxed my stance.

"Masterfully done, today, it was. It is 'just', Sergeant Weiss?"

"…Yes, sir."

"Then let me be the one to give you something to present to my liege, the King. May you bring honor to him, and to the people of the Northern Fortress, Lieutenant."

Promotion. Promotion? "Captain. But, this is a terrible time to even-"

"You will accept this. In fact, you should have been promoted to Lieutenant many seasons ago, were it not for the sentiment of the old man."

Gunter. He could only nod in aggreeance. "Not to worry. We will find another to replace these old bones of mine."

He then turned to Xander. "Prince Xander."

"Sir Gunter."

"Will you allow this humble servant to outride you?"

"You may."

"Thank you, Prince Xander. Hah!"

And Gunter was off on the path to Windmire, to doubly make sure our safe arrival.

…

Lieutenant Weiss. Lieutenant Weiss. Were it not for the departure to Castle Krakenburg, Gunter would've retired. Unless, he knew that I was to leave at this point?

*fwooosh*

Ooh, cold. We were all bundled up well, but the wind had me hugging myself to keep warm. There was no need to for light-the moon was full and the skies were clear.

"How long have we got, Leo?" Elise asked. "Can't we just rush through the forest and get there faster?"

Leo looked at us and shook his head. "We're not in immediate danger, Elise. And we have time between here and Castle Krakenberg to relax." He kept his gaze on me. "Now, Weiss. I understand that the etiquette of our recent dinner was…freeing, but do you understand the etiquette that you'll be going into whilst in the company of Father?"

"I do. I had…lessons to ensure that I correctly use the utensils laid out." I almost forgot about them.

"Do you understand that your attire now will have to be replaced with the attire of an actual noble of Nohr?"

"Really? We are at war with Hoshido, though."

"You'll be given a new set of armor and uniform, Weiss. It pays to be precise. And it's only for yours and Father's safety. That said, how do you address father in front of an audience?"

"Your Royal Highness."

"Ending with?"

"Sir."
"Good. Now, what about-?"

"*sigh* Leo. Do you know that your collar is inside-out?"

"What!?" Leo suddenly spat at my personal jab. He then felt his collar, and I could see him die a bit.

Xander didn't bother looking back. "Haha! It would appear that someone got dressed while still half-asleep."

Leo started struggling with his collar. "Would any of you care to explain why you didn't say something earlier?"

Ooh, I have a joke. "This is the nineteenth time, Prince Leo. It pays to be precise."

"Oh, Gods. You actually count that?"

Elise couldn't help but laugh at that. Leo finally got his collar correctly around his neck.

"Let's be serious now. The timing of your departure couldn't be better, Weiss," Xander said. "Father wants his best to lead the armies on Hoshido for their abundance in food and resources needed to continue living. Something that they've been withholding from us for a time."

A grim reminder that the Northern Fortress was doing a lot better than the other cities of Nohr. "They raided the Northern Fortress, just before those monsters showed up."

"A raiding party," Leo thought out loud. "Well, the Northern Fortress is a strategic point. It was once a training ground of Hoshido's shinobi."

"Long ago, though," Xander added, "thanks to Father-"

gallop* *gallop* *gallop*

In front of us. It was…Gunter's horse.

"Gunter! We have to help him!"

Xander drew his sword. "No, Weiss. It's too dangerous to just rush in. Leo could you-"

You have forgotten…

"Ngh." It was clearer now. What have I forgotten?

"At once, Brother." Leo brought his tome out and opened it. "Search."

Suddenly, the ground beneath our feet starting moving, but it wasn't enough to startle the horses. Leo exhaled deeply, and the movement started to branch out from the trail and into the trees.

"…Nothing, Brother. We should at least hasten our pace."

"Stay close. Let's increase our speed."

zip* *zip*

"Ambush!" Arrows from the back left! They almost got us!

Xander spurred his horse. "Ride! Now!"

Leo disengaged his roots and Elise tugged her reins.

We were all galloping down the trail to outrun the ambush.

clang* clang

Fighting up ahead. It must be Gunter!

There was a light up ahead. It was a fire…coming from a barricade on the road!

There was Gunter. He was fighting Hoshidans! "Gunter!"

Gunter saw us while he was fighting. "Your Highness! Don't-!"

He was addressing Xander-

FWOOOOSH*

It suddenly turned bright. A line of fire behind us, and it was spreading to the nearby trees-the trees weren't harmed in any way-?

whinnywhinnywhinnywhinnywhinnywhinny*

"Xander! Big Brother! The fire's getting closer!"

The flame wall from behind was getting closer. The horses were getting unsteady.

"Everyone! Regroup with Sir Gunter! We stick together!" Xander had us rush over to aid Gunter with whatever he was fighting, but it looks like he was losing. With him leading the charge, Xander broke up the fight and forced the Hoshidans off the trail.

"Your Highness! We have sprung their trap!"

"That is apparent, Knight Gunter! We have to get out of it! Everyone dismount!"

Leo and I dismounted. Elise-

"Not you, Elise! Stay on your horse! Weiss! Hold Elise and yourself!"

"Okay!" I held Elise's reins and made sure that they were stable.

The fire before us. It was too tall for the horses to jump over!

"Leo! Find a way through that fire before us! Knight Gunter! We are a shield until then!"

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Gunter and Xander had their weapons drawn, and created a distance between us and the Hoshidans that were in the trees.

That shinobi was right-they really wanted me to come to Hoshido. I couldn't help with what I have, but I could-"To the right! Thirty paces!"

Xander and Gunter looked at my call out. There were three of them- a ninja and two samurai.

"Stand back, Your Highness!"

Gunter stood in front with his sword. He waited, and then dropped his sword, only to pull a lance from the ground and skewer one of the samurai! But there were still two Hoshidans to deal with.

"HAH!"

clang

Xander comes in to assist Gunter with the other samurai that charged in. Xander easily overpowers the samurai!

SHING

There goes the two of them-

zip* *zip* *zip*

ding* *ding*

The ninja and his weapons. Xander and Gunter, though undamaged, were now affected by the poison that they carried.

More of them coming, and that fire was getting closer to us!

zip* *zip* *zip* *zip*

Shuriken and arrows in the mix. It's a miracle that they didn't hit Elise or I!

"Leo! Make it quick! We're about to be overwhelmed!"

"I can't do anything quick, Xander! This barricade-it's magical in nature! It's burning through my roots!"

"Make some distance! I'll take care of it."

Leo would now assist Gunter in defense, while Xander would work the barricade.

"Barrier!" Leo shouted.

The roots started shooting up from the ground and created a wall. It extended on both sides of the trail and onwards, but only for a few feet. It would be up to Gunter to use his lance and sword to deal with whatever passed it.

"Weiss! Elise! Stand back!"

Xander raised his sword to the sky and then pointed it to the fiery barricade.

ZOOOM* BOOM

That blast came from his sword! It was clearing the barrier! But it was slowly returning back!

"Weiss! Get on Elise's horse and go! You're needed the most!"

"No! I'm not leaving any of you!"

"Go now! Camilla would kill me if she didn't find you safe!"

"Look out!"

One of them broke through Leo and Gunter. I threw a shuriken at it. It hits.

"HAH!"

Xander finishes it off. "Go, Weiss! Go!"

I nodded, and mounted on Elise's horse.

As we pass through the barricade, Elise stopped her horse to look back. The flames suddenly rose back up, separating use from the men.

"Let's go Elise. We have to continue moving."

"…Okay."

…

gallop* *gallop* *gallop* *gallop* *gallop* *gallop*

"Adira! Slow down!"

Looks like Elise couldn't control her horse. At least Adira was keeping to the trail, but it was scaring Elise.

I grabbed the reins from Elise, and pulled on them slightly. Adira slowed down to a trot.

Hope to the gods that Gunter, Xander and Leo survive, but now it was just Elise and I, and I've never been this far from the Northern Fortress. "Elise, do you know where we're supposed to go?"

"Umm…I think we just follow the trail down."

Eugh, leave it to Xander and Leo to not tell anything to Elise. I can't blame them-she wasn't supposed to be here, according to Xander, but her being here just saved me.

You have forgotten.

I looked around for that voice. What have I forgotten?

You have forgotten.

What have I forgotten!? "Tell me!"

"Weiss? What's wrong?"

"Don't you hear it?"

Elise looked around. "What, Weiss? What are you hearing?"

WHINNNNNYY*

Something was spooking Adira. Elise was able to seize her, but I was bucked off.
You have forgotten. You will remember.

New words to those mysterious voice. My head was hurting, and it was similar to that pain I felt while interrogating the two-! "AUGH!"

"Weiss! Are you okay?"

…

My eyes were forced shut, as if something was keeping them shut.

You have forgotten. You will remember.

It was just me and the voice that was telling me that I will remember something I forgot. But what have I forgotten?

You have forgotten. You will remember.

I can't know what I have forgotten! Tell me!

YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember YouhaveforgottenYouwillremember

What are you trying to make me remember!? Who are you!?

Remember. Remember…Remember…remember…

It suddenly stopped. The pain was fading…

What did I forget?

What am I supposed to remember?

…

"Weiss?"

Elise. I could stand up. "I'm…I'm fine. We need to keep moving-"

There was a figure in front of us. Hooded and draped in black. It removed its hood.

That half-mask. "Iago?"

It looked like Iago, but he did not respond. He survived the attack, but was he the one I forgot?

I remember! I asked him to prepare his spells to defend the castle, but he wasn't-!

"REMEMBER YOURSELF, EMPRESS."

From Iago's sides, he brought out his hands and had his palms facing the ground.

rumblerumblerumblerumblerumblerumblerumblerumblerumblerumblerumblerumblerumble

Darn it…the ground's shifting!

"AAAAH!"

WHINNY

"Elise!"

She was losing control of her horse! I tried to hold her horse by the reins.

"Elise! Get off! I can't hold down your horse!"

It was getting hard to control! "Advisor Iago! Stop this!"

Iago was slowly moving away, and the spell he placed on the ground did not cease.

slip*

It was me first, then Elise's horse, and then Elise.