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Ryu's POV
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3 years. That's how long I've been in this forest for. 3 years. And not once have I even thought about going to the city. I've been to the villages that surround this forest, but never further.

And now, I've been asked to go to the city, with a knight no less.

Should I even be allowed to go? I'm the child of two of the most infamous outlaws after all. Won't I get incarcerated on the spot?

No, that shouldn't happen right? I mean, the Knight said she'd find me a place to stay.

But what if she's lying? What if she's trying to get me to the city so I can be arrested by the guards? She was sent to find me after all. It'd make sense.

But she seems like a good person. No, no. I can't rely on my gut at times like these. I still can't trust her.

...

"Hey, Knight, I won't get arrested as soon as I enter, will I?" (Ryu)

"Huh? Oh, no. Not if you're with me." (Airi)

"I see." (Ryu)

That would make sense. Knights are higher than guards after all.

But she could still order them to arrest me.

She could get me when I'm in the Inn. Order the nearby guards to surround it. Get me while I'm asleep, maybe.

Do Knights use underhanded tactics like that? No, what am I thinking, of course they do.

My best choice would be to refuse. Then I won't get caught out by her in her own city. Yes, that's what I'l-

"You should probably stop gripping that so hard, it's going to break." (Airi)

Forcing my attention to the stone in my hand, the Knight points out how strong my grip is on it.

I hadn't even noticed, I must have been getting so worked up about the city.

"Hey, Ryu, there's no need to think so hard. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't get you arrested for being blood-related to some outlaws. I mean, as long as you haven't done anything illegal. You haven't, have you?" (Airi)

"Huh? Oh, no I haven't." (Ryu)

"Then you'll be fine. Its probably better than living out here." (Airi)

"... I wonder about that." (Ryu)

"Hm?" (Airi)

Waving my hand, I turn my attention back to the herbs, before realising that they are already done.

I suppose now I'm being forced to think about it. Going to the city or not.

I should come to a decision soon though, that hail storm will only last a few more hours.

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Airi's POV
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It makes sense. He's on edge because of his family. He seems like a cautious kid, so he's probably thinking about the fact that I was looking for him.

It's not like I was looking for him for a specific purpose. It was just a job from the Captain to make sure he wasn't following in his parent's footsteps. There was no malicious intent.

I just need to give him some time to think about it. There's no point in rushing him, especially since it doesn't seem like this hail storm is going to come to an end any time soon.

It's not like I have a deadline for this job, I just need to make annual reports to the Captain. Well, I did, doesn't seem like I'll have to anymore, since I found him.

Although, I am looking forward to seeing my team again. What's it been? 7 or 8 months?

I do hope none of them have died. I don't see why they would have though, they're all skilled in the sword.

But, I suppose I could get some more sleep, it doesn't seem like anything will happen anytime soon. Yeah, that's what I'll do.

---------------------

"--i. Oi, wake up. We can leave now." (Ryu)

"Hmm? Oh, Ryu, what's up?" (Airi)

"The storm's passed, we can head to the city now." (Ryu)

"Ahh, that's good... Wait, we?" (Airi)

"Yeah, don't make me say it again. I've decided to take you up on your offer." (Ryu)

"I see. Shall we get going then?" (Airi)

Nodding his head, Ryu turns to the entrance of the hole.

It's white. The forest that was a luscious green a few hours ago is now pure white. It looks like a dream world.

"Wow. It really is beautiful." (Airi)

I mutter under my breath as I walk outside the hole.

Birds flutter overhead as the sun beams down onto us, encompassing us in a comforting light. It really is a once-in-a-lifetime view. White rabbits that are barely visible hop out of the bushes, camouflaging with the snow on the ground, only their beet red eyes as a hint to their location.

The lake that was visible from the hole has now frozen over, evident with the pack of firnirs that were crossing over it.

It really seemed like a winter wonderland.

"Hey, Knight, hurry up." (Ryu)

I hadn't even noticed, but I had been standing still for several seconds, completely entranced by my surroundings.

"O-oh yeah, sorry. Let's get going." (Airi)

"I can take us through the fastest route to the nearest village, but I don't know my way from there, so, I guess I'll be counting on you from then." (Ryu)

He frowned whilst adding that final bit, before turning and walking towards a patch of trees.

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Ryu's POV
---------------------

We've been walking for about 3 hours now, so we should be nearing the village. I think that it'll only take a few more minutes until we're there.

"Hey, Knight, we're almost at Siqema Village. Only a few more minutes." (Ryu)

"Siqema, huh. I should be able to find our way from there. Although, it is almost sun-down, I think we should take a rest somewhere in the village." (Airi)

Damn, I didn't think about shelter.

"... Right. I know a good Inn, we can go there." (Ryu)

"Sure." (Airi)

Continuing on, we start to climb a hill, which houses the village on the other side.

Looking from the peak of it, it really is a good view. You can see the entire village, encased in snow, and the lake that Siqema is known for frozen over, reflecting the sunlight's warmth.

"Hah, it really is a good view, isn't it Ryu?" (Airi)

"Mm." (Ryu)

I don't stare for too long, I'm not one for views anyway, but maybe that was something ingrained in me from my time travelling.

From here on, it is mostly a straight path, before it merges into a road for merchants.

---------------------

Standing before the front gates, I go to walk towards the gate master before the Knight puts a hand in my shoulder.

"Let me do this." (Airi)

Leaving with a smile, she walks confidently towards the gate master before presenting the hilt of her sword like she did once before to me.

A few seconds later, I see a nod of approval from him, before the Knight turns and walks towards me.

"We're good to go in." (Airi)

"Isn't that kind of cheap, using your position as a way to cheat your way into the village?" (Ryu)

"Its official Kingdom business, so there's no reason to object." (Airi)

She stated that proudly before striding towards the now open gate.

I chase behind her, not wanting to get left behind.

"Hey, Knight, do you, by any chance, have any money?" (Ryu)

"Hm? Of course I do, I'm not that stupid." (Airi)

"OK, well, don't lose it to a pickpocket, they're very common around here." (Ryu)

"Sure sure, don't worry. Anyway, where's that Inn you were talking about?" (Airi)

"Oh, right, it's just at the end of the road in the left." (Ryu)

"Okay, let's go right there then, I'm exhausted." (Airi)

"... Yeah, sure." (Ryu)

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Author Notes
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Hey hey, it's the end of another chapter! I am very excited about what's going to happen in the next few chapters, but anyway, what's with all the pauses at the start of Ryu's sentences? Weird, right?

And as always, to avoid confusion, the way to pronounce Siqema is: Sick-ey-ma.