At first light we headed off, Tigra was still half asleep, but we could not be late for the appointed time of meet up. Things between the two kingdoms were shaking and anything could tip it over the edge and create a war, taking all the attention away from the real enemy, those who carried the eternal dragon’s darkness.

We left by foot, bringing along a few bags of things, each of us carried two each, me three as it was not proper for a princess to carry her own things, that was my job.

I noticed Tigra was uncomfortable, in one of her fancier dresses, with a full-on princess dress and shawl, her crown upon her head. She kept messing with it.

I sighed. “Leave it be your highness.” I had entered character of loyal Guardian the moment I woke this morning, not wanting anyone to see me acting any differently, you never knew if there were spies watching out for any weakness to use against Alton as he sent out teams to look of the missing princess.

“I hate this thing,” she grumbled.

“You’ll be wearing a bigger one when your queen,” commented Dash. Tigra turned back to glare at him.

Zack nudged him. “I told you already Dash, we all need to remain silent, only speak when spoken to, Fang is the only one who speaks for us.”

“Really,” moaned Dash.

I shook my head. “Only do what I tell you.” Dash remained silent, nodding his head. I had five days to get everyone into a role that would make our visit to Anamothra an easy one, well I was hoping.

We discussed heavily on what could potentially happen there. On the way Link and I did the hunting and camping was luxury as we were given the royal tent to sleep in at night, it was huge on the inside, felt like I was back in the castle, with its strange entrance way, going into the open sitting room, enough bedrooms for all of us, in separate rooms. How the heck was this even possible.

“Magic,” explained Tigra, throwing her tiara across the room.

“Your highness.” I saved it by trapping it in a wind barrier.

“Do you really have to continue talking like that?” asked Tigra.

“Spies could be anywhere, dad said not to break character,” I answered, knowing it was annoying that I was treating her differently. “Please Tigra.” I gazed at her. She silently nodded as she sat down at the table. Link came over serving her dinner. I laughed internally; she was so fiery sometimes.

Zack and Dash were checking the area to make sure it was safe. I was not taking any chances of someone harming Tigra, she was my only priority. Arata sat beside Tigra, glancing at her before laying down, before we left, I had asked Arata to stay with Tigra, even in that form he was more than capable of watching over her, if I couldn’t, they’d both proved that when they battled against Hashana. having to hang about until the escort arrived, she would pace about the tent, being in character I was unable to do anything to consol her, it was beginning to drive me crazy.

The five-day journey to the borders was silent, there was no sign of the darkness or any Animalia traveling the path dad had chosen for us, his skills as a warrior were amazing, he had calculated everything for the trip.

As we approached the border I could smell the change in the wind, the Avem Empire was more open, less trees, more mountain range, floating rocks. Anamothra based on the largest of these rocks, originally the top of one mountain, many others circling around it.

I noticed Tigra grew more nervous the closer we got, especially the day we arrived,

I watched her pacing the tent crown upon her head and beautiful dress, mumbling to herself, admiring her as I just watched.

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“Fang.” I heard Dash calling for me, so I headed outside to see a group of six Avis descending from above, all high-class predator types related to eagles and falcons.

“Alright, I hope you guys are ready.” I glanced back inside the tents. “Your highness, it’s time.”

“I’m not ready for this,” she moaned.

“Trust yourself, like I do.” I smiled. “You are more than capable of doing this.” Her ears pricked up with my words, she took a deep breath and walked out of the tent just as the Avis were landing.

“Your highness.” They bowed upon landing. “We are here to escort you the rest of the way to Anamothra.”

“Of course,” she nodded. “Fang pack our supplies up.”

“Right away.” I bowed slightly before giving the others their orders. “Dash tent, Zack, Link supplies.” Without a word they got to work while I stood behind Tigra.

“Are you Fang, captain of her highness’s Guardians,” addressed one of the Falco Peregrinus.

“That I am,” I answered.

“I am Rockray, champion of Emperor Skyrus I lead his elite squads, if you should have any problems within the city, do not hesitate to contact me.” He handed me a sphere. “This is a communication item we use within Anamothra; it connects with anyone you have come into contact with, this is a spare of mine.”

“Uh, thank you.” He seemed the helpful type, I wondered if he could be trusted, for starters there was no dark energy around him, from his gear he was most probably high ranking among the warriors, Champion, was that on the same skill range as Cathopia’s Guardians. I also noticed the talisman he was carrying in the form of a rapier.

“The emperor would like to see you and her highness on arrival,” he mentioned. “I will take you there personally.”

“I understand.” I nodded.

“I hope not for long; I would like to settle in my quarters for the night,” added Tigra.

“Do not worry your highness, you will be settled within your rooms before nightfall.” He gave me a nod, then signalled to those who accompanied him.

The others had gathered the items quickly, and we headed off. Rockray offered to help me carry Tigra’s stuff, I refused, couldn’t just trust anyone with Tigra’s stuff.

Not long after we started walking Rockray began chatting to me, like this was some sort of day out, he seemed to have already heard a lot about me, even events from the summit.

“Shame I was not there that day; I would have enjoyed watching you in battle.” Tigra glanced back at me, smiling. I already knew what she was thinking, got a new best friend have we, enjoying your chat? I just shook my head. “I heard rumours that you actually treat her highness more like a friend than a princess.” I quickly looked at him. “Seem to be treating her differently today.”

“I am on official business, anything could happen if I drop my guard for even one second, you could be trying to make me drop it right now for all I know. Princess Tigra’s safety is all that matters to me,” I said. He seemed friendly enough, but I could not show any signs of weakness to someone I didn’t even know.

“Loyal as the rumours say,” he grinned. “Right from when you two met.”

“Who the heck are you?” I questioned.

“Before becoming a Champion I was once a traveller, my favourite place was a little bakery in Cathopia.” He said no more as Anamothra was beginning to come into view.

“You…” He silenced me. A little bakery in Cathopia could have meant anywhere but it was referring to my home, to dad and mum, a bakery run by the Fang clan, could he know dad in some way, perhaps they fought together. I couldn’t think of any interaction’s dad had with someone from the Avem empire.

Larana appeared on my shoulder, whispering to me. “Don’t worry master, he can be trusted.” Hearing those words from her, I relaxed a little, but until I knew what he was about, I still could not trust him completely.

“Just like Yamato,” he commented. I stopped in my tracks; he did know dad.

“Everything alright Fang?” asked Zack.

“I don’t know, this trip might get complicated.” I snapped out of it and began following after him. I wanted to ask him questions, but he seemed to say nothing more about. I felt a breeze around us, but it was not coming from Larana. I glanced down at his rapier; this was his power.

This Rockray was powerful, that much was obvious, this wind was a sensory network, had he picked something up, were we already being watched by someone nearby. I let off Larana’s wind, picking up a energy that should not have been there. It was something small by what I could tell it was an energy signature from a talisman, someone was spying on us. This was when the danger begun, I wondered if I could keep everyone safe from the dangers waiting for us.